METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR COOLING LIQUIDS IN PORTABLE CONTAINERS

Abstract

An assembly for cooling a liquid inside a portable container. According to some implementations the portable container has a heat exchanger disposed therein with a cooling medium cartridge at least partially surround by the heat exchanger. According to other implementations a rechargeable cooling medium cartridge may be attached to an end of the portable container with an exhaust port of the rechargeable cartridge being in fluid communication with an inlet to a heat exchanger disposed inside the portable container.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part application to application Ser. No. 14/577,463, filed Dec. 19, 2014.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for cooling liquids carried in portable containers such as hand-held liquid containers, liquid containers housed in backpacks, etc.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

According to some implementations a cooling apparatus is provided that comprises: a first longitudinal body having a first outer surface and a first inner surface, the first inner surface defining an internal chamber having first and second ends; a second longitudinal body disposed inside the first longitudinal body, the second longitudinal body having a second outer surface and a second inner surface, the second outer surface facing and being spaced-apart from the first inner surface of the first longitudinal body, the second inner surface defining an internal cavity having first and second ends, the first end being disposed in proximity to the first end of the internal chamber of the first longitudinal body, the second end being disposed in proximity to the second end of the internal chamber of the first longitudinal body; a tortuous conduit disposed between and along a length of the first and second longitudinal bodies, the tortuous conduit being defined in part by the inner surface of the first longitudinal body, the tortuous conduit having an outlet and an inlet that are respectively disposed in proximity to the first and second ends of the internal chamber of the first longitudinal body, the tortuous conduit outlet being in fluid communication with the internal cavity of the second longitudinal body; a coolant exhaust duct that exhausts to the atmosphere and that is in fluid communication with the second end of the internal cavity of the second longitudinal body; and a coolant pre-cooling coil assembly disposed inside the internal cavity of the second longitudinal body between the outlet of the tortuous conduit and the coolant exhaust duct, the coil assembly comprising a coolant inlet and a coolant outlet that is in fluid communication with the tortuous conduit inlet.

According to some implementations an assembly is provided that comprises a cooling apparatus including: a first longitudinal body having a first outer surface and a first inner surface, the first inner surface defining an internal chamber having first and second ends; a second longitudinal body disposed inside the first longitudinal body, the second longitudinal body having a second outer surface and a second inner surface, the second outer surface facing and being spaced-apart from the first inner surface of the first longitudinal body, the second inner surface defining an internal cavity having first and second ends, the first end being disposed in proximity to the first end of the internal chamber of the first longitudinal body, the second end being disposed in proximity to the second end of the internal chamber of the first longitudinal body; a tortuous conduit disposed between and along a length of the first and second longitudinal bodies, the tortuous conduit being defined in part by the inner surface of the first longitudinal body, the tortuous conduit having an outlet and an inlet that are respectively disposed in proximity to the first and second ends of the internal chamber of the first longitudinal body, the tortuous conduit outlet being in fluid communication with the internal cavity of the second longitudinal body; a coolant exhaust duct in fluid communication with the second end of the internal cavity of the second longitudinal body; a coolant pre-cooling coil assembly disposed inside the internal cavity of the second longitudinal body between the outlet of the tortuous conduit and the coolant exhaust duct, the coil assembly comprising a coolant inlet and a coolant outlet that is in fluid communication with the tortuous conduit inlet; and a hand-held liquid container having a first end, a second end and a cavity disposed between the first and second ends for housing a liquid, the first end comprising an opening for receiving or emptying a liquid from the container, at least a majority of the first and second longitudinal bodies of the cooling apparatus residing inside the cavity.

According to some implementations a cooling apparatus is provided that comprises: a first longitudinal body having a first outer surface and a first inner surface, the first inner surface defining an internal chamber having first and second ends; a second longitudinal body disposed inside the first longitudinal body, the second longitudinal body having a second outer surface and a second inner surface, the second outer surface facing and being spaced-apart from the first inner surface of the first longitudinal body, the second inner surface defining an internal cavity having first and second ends, the first end being disposed in proximity to the first end of the internal chamber of the first longitudinal body, the second end being disposed in proximity to the second end of the internal chamber of the first longitudinal body; and a tortuous conduit disposed between and along a length of the first and second longitudinal bodies, the tortuous conduit being defined in part by the inner surface of the first longitudinal body, the tortuous conduit having an outlet and an inlet that are respectively disposed in proximity to the first and second ends of the internal chamber of the first longitudinal body, the tortuous conduit outlet being in fluid communication with the internal cavity of the second longitudinal body, the tortuous conduit comprising one or more flow constrictors disposed within an intermediate portion thereof.

According to some implementations a method is provided that includes (i) obtaining a portable liquid container having disposed in a cavity therein a heat exchanger configured for cooling a liquid, (ii) partially filling the cavity of the portable container with a liquid, (iii) connecting a cooling source to the heat exchanger to initiate a flow of a cooling medium through the heat exchanger, and (iv) shaking the portable container while the cooling medium is being delivered through the heat exchanger.

According to some implementations a cooling apparatus is provided that comprises: a container for receiving a substance to be cooled, a heat exchanger disposed in the container, the heat exchanger including a cooling medium conduit having an inlet and an outlet; and a refillable cooling medium chamber that is at least partially surrounded by the heat exchanger and that is at least partially formed by a part of the heat exchanger.

According to some implementations a cooling apparatus is provided that comprises: a container, a heat exchanger disposed in the container, the heat exchanger including a cooling medium conduit having an inlet and an outlet, a chamber that is at least partially surrounded by the heat exchanger; and a valve assembly comprising a housing and a valve member disposed in the housing, the housing having a first passage in fluid communication with the chamber and a second passage in fluid communication with the inlet of the cooling medium conduit of the heat exchanger, the valve member including a first flow path that connects an inlet of the valve member with the chamber when the valve member is in a first position, the valve member including a second flow path that connects the first passage with the second passage when the valve member is in a second position different than the first position.

According to some implementations a cooling apparatus is provided that comprises: a container for receiving a substance to be cooled, the container having a top end and a bottom end, a heat exchanger disposed in the container, the heat exchanger including a cooling medium conduit having an inlet and an outlet, a base connected to the bottom end of the container, the heat exchanger being at least partially supported inside the container by the base, a housing connected to the base, a rechargeable cooling medium cartridge disposed within the housing, the rechargeable cartridge having a cooling medium charging port and a cooling medium exhaust port; and a valve disposed between the exhaust port of the rechargeable cooling medium cartridge and the inlet of the cooling medium conduit, the valve transitional between a first position and a second position, when in the first position the valve occludes flow between the exhaust port of the rechargeable cooling medium cartridge and the inlet of the cooling medium conduit, when in the second position a flow path is established through the valve to communicate the exhaust port of the rechargeable cooling medium cartridge with the inlet of the cooling medium conduit.

According to some implementations a cooling apparatus is provided that comprises: a container, a heat exchanger disposed in the container, the heat exchanger including a cooling medium conduit having an inlet and an outlet, a cavity that is at least partially surrounded by the heat exchanger, the cavity configured to receive a cooling medium cartridge, an actuator configured to act on the cooling medium cartridge to initiate a discharge of a cooling medium when the cooling medium cartridge resides in the cavity; and a flow passage configured to direct the cooling medium to the inlet of the cooling medium conduit of the heat exchanger at least when the actuator acts on the cooling medium cartridge.

These, as well as other exemplary implementations, are illustrated and described in a non-limiting manner in the drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of a cooling assembly according to one implementation.

FIG. 1B illustrates an enlarged cross-section view of a portion of the assembly of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1C is a three-dimensional cross-sectional view of a portion of the assembly of FIG. 1B.

FIG. 2A shows a cross-sectional view of an internal longitudinal body of a heat exchanger according to one implementation.

FIG. 2B shows a perspective view of the internal longitudinal body of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 2C is an enlarged cross-sectional view of ring elements of the internal longitudinal body of FIG. 2B.

FIG. 2D shows a top cross-sectional view of a ring element according to one implementation.

FIG. 2E shows a top cross-sectional view of a ring element adjacent the ring element of FIG. 2D according to one implementation.

FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of an internal longitudinal body according to another implementation.

FIG. 4 illustrates a bottom view of a closure cap according to one implementation.

FIG. 5 illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of a cooling assembly according to another implementation.

FIG. 6 illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of a cooling assembly according to another implementation.

FIGS. 7A-B illustrate an actuator of the cooling medium assembly of FIG. 6 according to one implementation.

FIGS. 8A-C illustrate bottom, side and top views of the upper part of the actuator of FIGS. 7A-B.

FIGS. 9A-C illustrate bottom, side and top views of the bottom part of the actuator of FIGS. 7A-B.

FIGS. 10A-D illustrate partial cross-sectional views of a cooling assembly according to another implementation.

FIG. 11 illustrates a partial cross-sectional views of a cooling assembly according to another implementation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1A-C illustrate an assembly 1 comprising a hand-held liquid container 10 having an internal cavity 12 in which is housed at least in part a cooling apparatus/heat exchanger 30. The cooling apparatus 30 includes an external longitudinal body 31 having an outer wall surface 32 and an inner wall surface 33, the inner wall surface 33 defining an internal chamber 34 that extends along a length of the body 31. Disposed within the internal chamber 34 of the external longitudinal body 31 is an internal longitudinal body 35. The internal longitudinal body 35 has an outer wall surface 36 spaced-apart from the inner wall surface 33 of body 31 wherein which one or more flow diverting elements 37 is/are disposed to form a tortuous fluid passage 39. Body 35 also includes an inner wall surface 21 that defines an internal cavity 38. According to some implementations the tortuous fluid passage 39 has an inlet 40 disposed at a location along the length of bodies 31, 35 (for example, at or near a first end of the bodies 31, 35 as depicted in FIG. 1A) and an outlet 41 that leads into the internal cavity 38. The internal cavity 38 in turn exhausts to the atmosphere which will be discussed in more detail below.

In use, a pressurized cooling fluid is introduced into the tortuous fluid passage 39 through the inlet 40 and undergoes expansion. As the cooling fluid expands a cooling occurs with the external longitudinal body 31 being cooled and absorbing heat from the liquid located inside the internal cavity 12 of the hand-held liquid container 10. According to some implementations the thermal conductivity of body 31 is greater than the thermal conductivity of body 35. According to such implementations, body 31 may be made of a light-weight metallic material, such as aluminum, and body 35 may be made of a plastic material, such as a polyamide.

According to some implementations, and not all, the cooling apparatus 30 further includes a coil assembly 50 located in the internal cavity 38 of body 35. The coil assembly 50 includes a coolant inlet 51 and a coolant outlet 52 that is in fluid communication with the inlet 40 of the tortuous fluid passage 39. According to some implementations, the coil assembly 50 is disposed at or near a proximal end of body 35. That is, at an end near the inlet 40 of the tortuous fluid passage 39. The inlet duct 51 is in turn connectable to a reservoir or cartridge 60 that prior to activation contains a coolant in the form of a liquefied gas.

The coil assembly 50 includes one or more coils 53 through which the coolant is initially received and transported from the inlet 51 of the cooling apparatus 30 to the inlet 40 of the tortuous fluid passage 39. The one or more coils 53 are constructed of a material having a high thermal conductivity, such as copper. In use, when the cooling fluid is being delivered through the cooling apparatus and exhausted to the atmosphere through the internal cavity 38 of body 35, the coolant is delivered through the cavity 38 and across the exterior surface of the coils 53 of the coil assembly 50 prior to being exhausted to the atmosphere. FIG. 1C illustrates a representative flow R of the coolant as it passes through the coil assembly 50 and out through an exhaust duct 56. The purpose of the coil assembly 50 is to effectuate a cooling of the coolant prior to its introduction into the inlet 40 of the tortuous fluid passage 39. Cooling occurs as a result of heat from the coolant passing through the coil assembly 50 being transferred through the thermally conductive walls of the coils 53 to the exhausting coolant. As a result of pre-cooling the coolant prior to it being introduced into the tortuous fluid passage 39, the over-all cooling efficiency of the cooling apparatus 30 is increased.

Another advantage associated with the use of the coil assembly 50 is that it reduces the likelihood of the occurrence of unevaporated coolant passing from the cavity 38 of body 35 and into the exhaust duct 56. This is a result of the coolant absorbing energy as it passes through the coils 53 of the coil assembly 50.

In the implementation shown in the FIGS. 1 and 2 the diverting elements 37 comprise a plurality of axially spaced apart ring elements 37a that form a part with and extend radially from the outer surface 36 of the body 35 with through openings 37b formed longitudinally therein. According to some implementations the through openings 37b of adjacent ring elements 37a are not longitudinally aligned with one another so as to create the tortuous fluid path. As shown in FIGS. 2D and 2E (which may represent adjacent ring elements), the through openings 37b of adjacent ring elements 37a may be located approximately 180 degrees apart, although other angular orientations are possible. In such implementations the through openings of every other ring element 37a may be longitudinally aligned with one another. Further, as will be discussed in more detail below, the width of the longitudinal through openings 37b in the ring elements 37 may vary along the length of the body 35 as illustrated in FIGS. 2D and 2E wherein which the width dimension W1 (or cross-sectional area) of a through opening 37b in one ring element 37 is greater the width dimension W2 (or cross-sectional area) of a through opening 37b in another ring element 37.

It is important to note that any of a variety of other types of flow diverting elements 37 may be employed to form the tortuous fluid path 39. Further, it is important to note that the one or more flow diverting elements 37 may be formed independently of bodies 31 and 35 or formed as a part of one or both of the bodies 31 and 35. For example, according to some implementations the flow diverting elements 37 may extend from and form a part of the internal longitudinal body 35 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. According to some implementations, as shown in the example of FIG. 5, the flow diverting element 37 may comprise a spiral element that originates at or near the proximal end of bodies 31, 35 and terminates at or near a distal end of bodies 31, 35.

In the implementations shown in FIGS. 1A-C, the external longitudinal body 31 comprises an open proximal end (not labeled) and a closed distal end 58 with the internal longitudinal body 35 having been inserted into the internal chamber 34 via the open proximal end. According to some implementations the internal longitudinal body 35 comprises open proximal and distal ends 61 and 62, respectively, with the open proximal end 61 located at or near the open proximal end of body 31 and the open distal end 62 located spaced-apart and near the closed distal end 58 of body 31, there therefore being formed a coolant passage that extends between the outlet 41 of the tortuous fluid passage 39 and the cavity 38 of body 35.

As shown in FIGS. 1A-C, the cooling apparatus 30 includes a base 44 onto which are coupled the proximal ends of the internal and external longitudinal bodies 31 and 35. According to some implementations the base 44 forms a part of, or is otherwise coupled to, a closure cap 45 that may be permanently or removably coupled to a bottom of the hand-held container 10. O-rings or other sealing members 46 may be disposed between the various parts to provide a fluid tight containment. Although not shown in the figures, the base 44 and/or a part of the closure cap 45 may have formed therein a reservoir for collecting any unevaporated coolant before the coolant is exhausted to the environment. The reservoir may comprise a recess or other suitable structure through which the coolant passes before being exhausted to the atmosphere.

According to some implementations the base 44 includes a longitudinal wall section 57 that extends into the cavity 38 of the internal longitudinal body 35. The coils 53 of the pre-cooling assembly 50 are wound around or about the wall section 57. A purpose of the wall section 57 is to restrict the flow of the exhausting coolant to the area around the coils 53 in order to increase cooling efficiency. According to some implementations the coolant inlet 96 of assembly 1 extends into an internal cavity formed by the wall section 57 onto which the pre-cooling assembly inlet 51 is attached. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, a piercing element 69 may protrude from or otherwise reside in the coolant inlet conduit 96 that is configured to pierce through a containment wall at the exit of the coolant cartridge 60.

According to some implementations the cooling apparatus 30, base 44 and closure cap 45 are removable as a single unit from the container 10. In this manner, the closure cap 45 may, for example, be used during the summer months and be switched out with a closure cap without a cooling apparatus for winter use.

According to some implementations the dimensional characteristics of the internal longitudinal body may be as follows: Dimension A may vary between 100 and 150 millimeters; dimension B may vary between 20 and 40 millimeters; dimension C may vary between 15 and 30 millimeters, dimension D may vary between 1 and 3 millimeters, dimension E may vary between 2 and 5 millimeters; dimension F may vary between 0.4 and 1 millimeters; dimension G may vary between 3 and 6 millimeters. Further, according to some implementations the width dimension of the longitudinal through openings 37b may vary between 1 and 4 millimeters.

As noted above, the width of the through openings 37b in the ring elements 37 may vary along the length of the body 35 as illustrated in FIGS. 2D and 2E wherein which the width dimension W1 (or cross-sectional area) of a through opening 37b in one ring element 37 is greater the width dimension W2 (or cross-sectional area) of a through opening 37b in another ring element 37. The purpose of including one or more through openings of reduced diameter (hereinafter referred to as “constrictions”) is to create a backpressure in order to control the evaporation temperature of the coolant as it passes through the tortuous fluid passage 39. According to some implementations the location and cross-sectional area of the constrictions assist in minimizing or eliminating altogether the formation of ice on the exterior surface 32 of the external longitudinal body 31. According to some implementations this is achieved by regulating the evaporation temperature between +5 and −10° C., and preferably between +5 and −5° C. By providing a sequential drop or stepped drop in pressure along the length of the tortuous fluid passage 39 by use of the constrictions, evaporation may also be controlled to ensure that the coolant remains in an evaporated state as it passes from the tortuous fluid path 39 and into the cavity 38 of the internal longitudinal body 35. This is achieved by increasing the dwell time of the coolant inside the fluid passage 39. According to some implementations the cross-sectional area of the constrictions diminish or increase along the length of the tortuous fluid passage 39 between the coolant inlet 40 and coolant outlet 41. According to other implementations the cross-sectional area of each of the constrictions is substantially the same along the length of the tortuous fluid passage 39 between the coolant inlet 40 and coolant outlet 41. According to some implementations the constrictions have a diameter of less than 1 millimeter.

According to some implementations the volume of the liquid to be cooled within the hand-held liquid container 10 is between about 0.5 and 0.75 liters. As will be explained in more detail below, it is preferable that the liquid to be cooled occupy less than the entire available volume inside the container 10. In order to facilitate a rapid cooling of the liquid (e.g. a temperature drop of >10° C. within one minute), according to some implementations the external longitudinal body 31 has an exposed surface area of between 120 and 160 cm² and occupies a volume of between 100 and 150 cm³ inside the cavity 12 of container 10. According to such implementations the tortuous fluid passage 39 is provided with a volume of between 30 and 50 cm³.

According to some implementations a series of longitudinally distributed baffles 48 may also be located within the internal cavity 38 of the internal longitudinal body 35. As shown in FIG. 3 the baffles 48 may comprise reservoirs 49 for the purpose of collecting coolant that remains unevaporated upon exiting the tortuous fluid conduit 39 and entering the cavity 38 of body 35.

According to some implementations the coolant cartridge 60 includes a lip 65 and may be attached to the base 44 and/or closure cap 45 via one or more clips 97 that fit over and engage with the lip 65 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4. In the implementation of FIG. 4 three clip elements 97 are provided in the form of elongate flexible members that flex outwardly to receive the lip 65 and then flex back inwardly to reside in an external recess 66 located just below the lip 65 to effectuate an attachment of the cartridge 60 to the hand-held liquid container 10.

According to some implementations a method for cooling a liquid includes: (i) obtaining a portable liquid container having disposed in a cavity therein a heat exchanger configured for cooling a liquid, (ii) partially filling the cavity of the portable container with a liquid, (iii) connecting a cooling source to the heat exchanger to initiate a flow of a cooling medium through the heat exchanger, and (iv) shaking the portable container while the cooling medium is being delivered through the heat exchanger. According to some implementations the liquid container may include a fill-line 68 (see FIG. 1A) located below an opening of the container through which the liquid is introduced into the container and the step of partially filling the cavity of the hand-held liquid container comprises adding the liquid to the cavity to a level at or below the fill-line. According to some implementations, as shown in FIG. 1A, the fill-line is located a distance below the opening 11 of the container 10 and above or at the top surface of the external longitudinal body 31. By providing a void space in the portable container 10 and also shaking the container, the heat transfer rate from the liquid to the coolant through the wall of the external longitudinal body 31 is increased.

Turning now to FIG. 5, an assembly 70 is provided that includes a heat exchanger 71 disposed inside a hand-held liquid container 72. The heat exchanger 71 includes an internal longitudinal body 73 located inside an external longitudinal body 74. The construction of the heat exchanger 71 may be similar to those described above with there being one or more flow diverting elements 78 disposed between the internal surface 75 of the external longitudinal body 74 and the external surface 76 of the internal longitudinal body 73 to form a tortuous fluid passage 77 between the two bodies.

As explained above, any of a variety of types of flow diverting elements may be employed to form the tortuous fluid passage 77. Also, as explained above, the one or more flow diverting elements may be formed independently of bodies 73 and 74 or may be formed as a part of one or both of the bodies 73 and 74. According to some implementations, as shown in FIG. 5, the flow diverting element may comprise a spiral element that originates at or near the proximal end of bodies 73, 74 and terminates at or near a distal end of bodies 73, 74. Other configurations are also possible.

In the implementation of FIG. 5 the internal cavity of the internal longitudinal body 73 is configured to receive therein a coolant cartridge 80. According to some implementations the external surface 88 of the coolant cartridge 80 is spaced-apart from the inner surface 85 of the internal longitudinal body 73 in order to provide an exhaust path for the coolant as illustrated by the arrows in FIG. 5.

According to some implementations the internal and external longitudinal bodies 73,74 are coupled to one another at or near a base 81 of the bodies. An O-ring or other sealing element 90 may be disposed between the bodies 73, 74 to provide a fluid tight seal there between. The bodies 73, 74 may in turn be permanently or releasably coupled to the body of the hand-held liquid container 72. In the implementation of FIG. 5, the internal longitudinal body 73 is releasably coupled to the body of the liquid container 72 via a threaded connection 91.

Coolant flow from the cartridge 80 into the inlet 83 of the tortuous fluid passage 77 occurs through a base 81 that has a coolant channel 82 that connects the outlet of the cartridge 80 to the inlet 83. The base 81 may be coupled to the body of the container 72 or to the internal longitudinal body 73 as illustrated in FIG. 5. According to some implementations the base 81 includes one or more coolant exhaust ports 84 that enables coolant to flow to the atmosphere after having passed through the tortuous fluid passage 77 and the space between the outside surface of the cartridge 80 and the inside surface of body 73. According to some implementations the base 81 also includes a piercing element 86 configured to pierce through a containment wall at the exit of the coolant cartridge 80. Upon the piercing element 86 being positioned to pierce through the containment wall at the exit of the coolant cartridge 80, coolant flow is initiated through the heat exchanger 71 by first passing through the coolant channel 82 and into the inlet 83 of the tortuous fluid passage 77. Upon passing through passage 77, the coolant exits the passage 77 at an end 85 of the heat exchanger opposite the base 81. The coolant then flows between the space between the coolant cartridge 80 and body 73 and exits the assembly 70 through the one or more exit ports 84.

In the implementations of FIGS. 5 and 6 a salient feature lies in the use of a disposable or re-fillable cartridge that is housed inside a cavity that is at least partially surrounded by the heat exchanger itself with there being means by which the outlet of the cooling medium cartridge is placed in fluid communication with an inlet of the heat exchanger upon an activation of the cooling assemblies. Further features that have been and will be described herein are exemplary and are not to be considered essential.

FIG. 6 illustrates a cooling assembly 100 similar to that of FIG. 5, wherein which a cavity 106 that is surrounded by the heat exchanger 103 is adapted to receive the cooling medium cartridge 104. As with FIG. 5, the heat exchanger 103 is located within a container 101 that is adapted for housing a liquid or other medium to be cooled. The container may include a removable top cap 102 used for closing an opening located at a top end of the container. An actuator 110 in the bottom of the assembly 100 is removable to facilitate the insertion and removal of the cooling medium cartridge 104 into and out of the cavity 106. In FIG. 6 the heat exchanger is shown to have longitudinal internal and external bodies 103a and 103b, respectively, with there being a cooling medium conduit 103c disposed between the two bodies. The cooling medium conduit 103c has an inlet 113a and an outlet 113b situated at a bottom and top end of the heat exchanger 103, respectively. It is important to note that such a heat exchanger construction is not required and that any other construction that functions with the use of a removable internal cooling medium cartridge 104 may be employed.

In the implementation of FIG. 6 the cavity 106 is delimited by the inner longitudinal body 103a of the heat exchanger 103 and a top wall 109. The top wall 109 may be formed as a single piece with the outer longitudinal body 103b of the heat exchanger 103 as shown in FIG. 6, may be formed as a single piece with the inner longitudinal body 103b of the heat exchanger 103, or may be formed as a separate piece that is bonded with one or both of the inner and outer longitudinal bodies 103a and 103b, respectively. The bottom of the cavity 106 is closed by the actuator 110 when the actuator is assembled onto the base 115 of the cooling assembly 100. According to some implementations, means 109 is provided at a top end of the cavity 106 for urging the cooling medium cartridge 104 in a direction toward the actuator 110 when the cartridge 104 is loaded into the cavity 106. According to some implementations a resilient member 109 is situated attached to the top wall of the cavity 109 where it is configured to act upon the top end 104a of the cooling medium cartridge 104 as shown in FIG. 6. According to some implementations the resilient member 109 is a spring. As will be discussed in more detail below, the urging of the cooling medium cartridge 104 in a direction toward the actuator 110 aids in establishing a proper connection between cooperating features 121 and 122 of the actuator 110 and the cartridge 104, respectively, to assist in a proper discharge of the cooling medium from the cartridge 104.

Prior to use, the actuator 110 may be detached from the base 115 to allow the insertion of the cooling medium cartridge 104 into the cavity 106. When properly positioned within the cavity 106, the cartridge 104 is locked in the cavity 106 by an attachment of the actuator 110 to the base 115 of the cooling assembly 100.

According to some implementations the cavity 106 is sized so that when the cartridge 104 is disposed therein a gap exists between an outer surface of the cartridge and the inner surface of the inner longitudinal body 103a of the heat exchanger 103. In this manner a flow path 108 may be established to direct a flow of the cooling medium from the outlet 113b of the heat exchanger 103 to an exhaust duct 114,124 located in the actuator 110 as depicted by the arrows in FIG. 6.

It is important to note that the actuator 110 may take a variety of forms and that the actuator shown in FIGS. 6-9 is only one example. For example, according to other implementations the discharge end 104b of cooling medium cartridge 104 may be situated near the top of the cavity 106 with an actuator being situated adjacent thereto for facilitating a discharge of the cooling medium from the cartridge outlet into an inlet of the heat exchanger 103. With this non-limiting understanding, a detailed explanation of the structure and function of the actuator 110 as depicted in FIGS. 6-9 follows.

The exemplary actuator 110 shown in FIGS. 6-9 comprises a top part 111 and a bottom part 112 that are rotatably coupled to one another. Posts 130 extending from a top surface of the bottom part 112 reside in arched grooves 125 of the upper part to delimit the extent by which the parts are rotatable with respect to one another. Tabs 120 located along the periphery of the bottom part 112 are configured to be housed and moveable within respective step recesses 116 formed in the base 115 of the assembly 100. Each of the upper and lower parts 111, 112 respectively have exhaust ports 114 and 124. When the upper and lower parts 111, 112 are situated in a first rotational position with respect to one another the exhaust ports 114 and 124 are not aligned with one another, thus closing the exhaust path between the outlet 113b of the heat exchanger 103 and the ambient environment. When the upper and lower parts 111, 112 are situated in a second rotational position with respect to one another the exhaust ports 114 and 124 are aligned with one another to provide an exhaust path between the outlet 113b of the heat exchanger 103 and the ambient environment.

As most clearly shown in FIG. 8B, the top part 111 of the actuator 110 includes a cooling medium passage 127 that is configured to direct the flow of a cooling medium from the outlet 122 of the cartridge 104 to the inlet 113a of the heat exchanger 103. The cooling medium passage 127 has an outlet nozzle 126 located at or near the peripheral boundary of the upper part 111. As noted above, the tabs 120 of the lower part 112 reside in respective stepped recesses in the base 115 of the assembly 100. Each of the stepped recesses extend along a length of the circumference in the base 115 with the steps facilitating a translational movement of the actuator 110 with respect to the longitudinal axis of the cavity 106 when the lower part 111 rotates with respect to the upper part 112 between the first and second rotational positions.

As shown in FIG. 6, the outlet nozzle 126 is situated to reside in a receptacle provided in the base 115 of assembly 100. According to one implementation, upon the cartridge 104 being placed in the cavity 106, the actuator 110 is assembled onto the base 115 by placing the outlet nozzle 126 of the upper part 111 into the receptacle located in the base 115 and by also placing the tabs 120 of the lower part 112 into the respective stepped recesses located in the base 115. Thereafter, an initial partial rotation of the lower part 112 locks the tabs 120 into a first position in the stepped recesses where the actuator 110 is maintained in a first translating position. After the initial rotation of the lower part 112 with respect to the upper part 111 the actuator 110 is in the first rotational position with the cartridge 104 locked inside the cavity 106. In the first translating position the cartridge 104 is securely stored in the cavity 106 and the actuating feature 121 of the upper part 111 of the actuator 110 is spaced apart from the discharge feature 122 of the cartridge 104. With the actuator in the first rotational and translating positions the assembly 100 is in a ready to use state.

When in the ready to use state, the cooling of a liquid or other medium located in the container 101 may occur by an additional rotation of the lower part 112 from the first rotational position to the second rotational position. A feature 131 extending from a bottom surface of the bottom part 112 of the actuator 110 may be grasped and twisted by a user to effectuate the rotation of the actuator. As the lower part 112 moves from the first rotational position to the second rotational position the entirety of the actuator 110 moves in a direction toward the discharge end of the cartridge 104 to a second translating position. When in the second translating position the actuating feature 121 of the actuator 110 is positioned to engage with the discharge feature 122 of the cartridge 110 to cause a release of the cooling medium stored in the cartridge. With the outlet nozzle 126 also situated at the inlet 113a of the heat exchanger 103, the cooling medium is permitted to flow into the cooling medium conduit 103c. Further, as a result of the exhaust ducts 114 and 124 of the upper and lower parts 111, 112 being aligned, an exhaust path from the outlet 113b of the heat exchanger is provided to ambient environment.

In the implementation of FIGS. 6-9 the actuating feature 121 of the actuator 110 comprises a protrusion adapted to be received into a discharge receptacle of the cartridge 104. It is important to note that the cooperating features 121, 122 of the actuator and cartridge may take different forms. For example, the discharge outlet of the cartridge may comprise a male part with the actuating feature of the actuator comprising a female part.

FIGS. 10A-D illustrate a cooling assembly 200 that includes a container 201 for receiving and storing a liquid or other substance to be cooled. An opening is located at a top end of the container 201 with there being in some implementations a cap 202 for providing a liquid tight seal of the opening. The cooling assembly 200 includes a heat exchanger assembly 210 that includes an inner cooling medium chamber 230 that is at least partially surrounded by the structure that forms the heat exchanger. The cooling medium chamber 230 is adapted for receiving and expelling a cooling medium during multiple uses. According to some implementations the chamber 230 is formed at least in part by structure that forms a part of the heat exchanger itself.

According to some implementations the heat exchanger includes an inner elongate body 220 and an outer elongate body 221 with there being disposed between the inner and outer bodies a cooling medium conduit 222. The cooling medium conduit has an inlet 224a and outlet 224b, which according to some implementations are each located at or near a bottom end of the heat exchanger as depicted in the figures. According to some implementations the cooling medium chamber 230 is formed, at least in part, by the inner elongate body 220 of the heat exchanger as depicted in the figures. The top wall 223 of the chamber 230 may be formed as a single piece with the inner wall 220 as shown in FIG. 10A, may be formed as a single piece with the outer wall 221, or may be formed as a separate piece. In other implementations the chamber 230 is formed at least in part by the outer elongate body 222. In yet other implementations the chamber 230 is formed at least in part by both the inner elongate body 221 and the outer elongate body 222

A valve assembly 240 located at the base of the cooling medium chamber 230 facilitates the introduction and expelling of a cooling medium into and out of the chamber. FIGS. 10A and 10C shows a configuration of the valve assembly 240 during a filling of the chamber 230 with a cooling medium from an external cooling medium source such as an external cartridge 204. FIGS. 10B and 10D shows a configuration of the valve assembly 240 during an expelling of the cooling medium from inside the chamber 230 into the inlet 224a of the heat exchanger. According to some implementations, as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the heat exchanger cooling medium conduit 222 comprises interconnected ascending coils 260 and descending coils 261 with the cooling medium conduit inlet 224a residing in the ascending coil 260 and the cooling medium conduit outlet 224b residing in the descending coil 261. One or more exhaust ports 250 located in a base 212 located at a bottom end of the heat exchanger provides a flow path for connecting the heat exchanger out 224b to the ambient environment.

According to one implementation the valve assembly 240 includes a housing 241 and a valve member 242 that is at least partially disposed in the housing 241, the housing having a first opening 249a in fluid communication with the chamber 230 and a second opening 249b in fluid communication with the inlet 224a of the cooling medium conduit 222 of the heat exchanger, the valve member 242 including a first flow path, as depicted by the arrows F1 in FIG. 10A, that connects an inlet 248 of the valve member 242 with the chamber 230 when the valve member is in the first position as depicted in FIGS. 10A and 10C. The valve member 242 also includes a second flow path, as depicted by the arrows F2 in FIG. 10B, that connects the first opening 249a with the second opening 249b when the valve member 242 is in a second position as depicted in FIGS. 10B and 10D. The valve member 242 is rotatable within the valve assembly housing 241 and when in the first position the valve member 242 has a first angular orientation and when in the second position the valve member 242 has a second angular orientation different from the first angular orientation.

The valve member 242 is also translatable within the housing 241 between a first translating position as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10C and second translating position as shown in FIGS. 10B and 10D. According to some implementations the valve member 242 includes a flange 242a that is guided between recesses 213 and 247 that are respectively formed in the base 212 and the valve assembly housing 241. When in the first position the valve member 242 is at the first translating position and when in the second position the valve member 242 is at the second translating position. According to some implementations a resilient member 247 is provided in the housing 241 to bias the valve member 242 towards the second translating position.

According to some implementations the valve member 242 is movable between the first and second positions and also a third position that is different from the first and second positions. When the valve member 224 is in the third position (not shown in the figures) no flow path is provided through the valve assembly.

According to some implementations the base 212 is stationary with the one or more exhaust ports 250 remaining open when the valve member 242 is in both the first and second positions. According to other implementations the base 212 rotates independently from or in conjunction with the valve member 242 so that when the valve member 242 is in a position other than the second position, the one or more exhaust ports 250 are occluded to prevent fluid communication between the heat exchanger outlet 224b and the ambient environment. According to some implementations the base 212 is rotatably coupled to an end portion 202 of the container 201. According to some implementation the rotatable coupling is achieved by a threaded connection 211. According to some implementations the valve member 242 is coupled with the base 212 and rotatable between the first and second angular orientations by a rotation of the base 212.

FIG. 11 shows a cooling assembly 300 according to another implementation. The cooling assembly 300 is shown, purely as an example, to have a heat exchanger assembly 310 similar to that shown in FIG. 1A. It is to be appreciated that any of a number of other heat exchanger constructs may be implemented. The cooling assembly 300 includes a container 301 for receiving a liquid or other substance to be cooled. The container 301 has a top end 302 and a bottom end 303. The heat exchanger assembly 310 is disposed inside the container 301. The heat exchanger includes a cooling medium conduit 304 having an inlet 305a and an outlet 305b. A base 308 connected to or formed with the bottom end 303 of the container 301 at least partially supports the heat exchanger assembly 310 inside the container 301. A housing 312 is directly or indirectly coupled with the base 308 and contains therein a rechargeable cooling medium cartridge 315. The rechargeable cartridge 315 has a cooling medium charging port 316 that is connectable to an external cartridge 330 at a bottom end 313 of the housing 312. The rechargeable cartridge 315 also has a cooling medium exhaust port 317 that is coupled with the heat exchanger assembly 310 and in fluid communication with the heat exchanger inlet 305a.

According to some implementations a valve 340 is disposed between the exhaust port 317 of the rechargeable cooling medium cartridge 315 and the inlet 305a of the cooling medium conduit 304 of the heat exchanger. According to some implementations the valve 340 is transitional between a first state and a second state, and when in the first state the valve 340 occludes flow between the exhaust port 317 of the rechargeable cooling medium cartridge 315 and the inlet 305a of the cooling medium conduit, and when in the second state a flow path is established through the valve 340 to communicate the exhaust port 317 of the rechargeable cooling medium cartridge 315 with the inlet 305a of the cooling medium conduit 304. According to some implementations the valve 340 includes a resilient member (not shown) that biases the valve to assume the first state.

According to some implementations, as shown in FIG. 11, the exhaust port 317 of the rechargeable cooling medium cartridge 315 comprises an axially extending protrusion. The rechargeable cooling medium cartridge 315 is movable between a first position and a second position, wherein in the second position the protrusion functions with the valve 340 to cause the valve to assume the second state, and wherein in the first position the protrusion does not act on the valve and the valve assumes the first state.

According to some implementations the housing 312 is rotatably coupled to the base 308 or to the bottom end 303 of the container 301 in a manner that permits the housing 312 to rotate with respect to the base 308 and/or container 301 in a clockwise direction, the clockwise rotation resulting in a movement of the exhaust port 317 in a direction towards the valve 340. Conversely, when the housing 312 rotates with respect to the base 308 and/or container 301 in a counter-clockwise direction, the counter-clockwise rotation results in a movement of the exhaust port 317 in a direction away from the valve 340. As such, a simple rotation of the housing 312 with respect to the container 301 and/or base 308 may be used to initiate the flow of a cooling medium stored in the rechargeable cartridge 315 through the valve 340 and into the inlet 305a of the heat exchanger.

According to other implementations the housing 312 is coupled to the base 308 or bottom end 303 of the container 301 in a manner such that when a force is applied to the bottom wall 313 of the housing 312 in a direction toward the valve 340, the housing 312, along with the rechargeable cartridge 315, moves toward the valve so that the exhaust port 317 of the rechargeable cartridge 315 may engage with the valve to open it. According to such an implementation, a resilient member (not shown), such as a spring, may be provided to continuously bias the housing 312 in a direction away from the valve 340.

According to some implementations the outlet 305b of the cooling medium conduit 304 is in fluid communication with the ambient environment via a first flow passage 314 extending through at least a portion of the housing 312. As shown in FIG. 11, according to some implementations, the first flow passage 314 is in the form of a gap that is provided between an outer surface of the rechargeable cartridge 315 and an inner surface of the housing 312.

According to some implementations the outlet 305b of the cooling medium conduit 304 and an inlet 321 of the first flow passage 314 are interconnected via a second flow passage 320 in the base 308 or a structure connected with the base.

In the foregoing disclosure the cooling assemblies have been described primarily in conjunction with the use hand-held liquid containers. It is appreciated, however, that the invention is applicable to any of a variety of portable devices, such as backpack hydration systems, wine coolers, etc.

The particular features, structures or characteristics of any implementation described above may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more implementations. Similarly, it should be appreciated that in the above description of implementations, various features of the inventions are sometimes grouped together in a single implementation, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that any claim require more features than are expressly recited in that claim. Rather, inventive aspects lie in a combination of fewer than all features of any single foregoing disclosed implementations. The claims following the Detailed Description are hereby expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate implementation.

CLAUSES

Clause 1. A cooling apparatus comprising:

a first longitudinal body having a first outer surface and a first inner surface, the first inner surface defining an internal chamber having first and second ends,

a second longitudinal body disposed inside the first longitudinal body, the second longitudinal body having a second outer surface and a second inner surface, the second outer surface facing and being spaced-apart from the first inner surface of the first longitudinal body, the second inner surface defining an internal cavity having first and second ends, the first end being disposed in proximity to the first end of the internal chamber of the first longitudinal body, the second end being disposed in proximity to the second end of the internal chamber of the first longitudinal body,

a tortuous conduit disposed between and along a length of the first and second longitudinal bodies, the tortuous conduit being defined in part by the inner surface of the first longitudinal body, the tortuous conduit having an outlet and an inlet that are respectively disposed in proximity to the first and second ends of the internal chamber of the first longitudinal body, the tortuous conduit outlet being in fluid communication with the internal cavity of the second longitudinal body,

a coolant exhaust duct that exhausts to the atmosphere and that is in fluid communication with the second end of the internal cavity of the second longitudinal body; and

a coolant pre-cooling coil assembly disposed inside the internal cavity of the second longitudinal body between the outlet of the tortuous conduit and the coolant exhaust duct, the coil assembly comprising a coolant inlet and a coolant outlet that is in fluid communication with the tortuous conduit inlet.

Clause 2. A cooling apparatus according to clause 1, wherein the first body comprises a first material having a first thermal conductivity and the second body comprises a second material having a second thermal conductivity that is less than the first thermal conductivity.

Clause 3. A cooling apparatus according to clause 1, wherein the second longitudinal body comprises a plurality of radially extending and axially spaced apart members that form in part the tortuous conduit.

Clause 4. A cooling apparatus according to clause 3, wherein the plurality of radially extending and axially spaced apart members comprise ring elements having a through opening formed longitudinally therein, the through openings of axially adjacent ring elements not being longitudinally aligned with one another.

Clause 5. A cooling apparatus according to clause 4, wherein the through opening of at least some of the ring elements are longitudinally aligned with one another.

Clause 6. A cooling apparatus according to clause 4, wherein the through opening of adjacent ring elements are spaced one hundred eighty degrees apart.

Clause 7. A cooling apparatus according to clause 1, wherein the inlet conduit of the pre-cooling coil assembly is oriented in a first direction, the coolant exhaust duct having one or more outlets configured to direct coolant to an exterior of the cooling apparatus in a second direction that is different from the first direction.

Clause 8. A cooling apparatus according to clause 1, wherein the coolant exhaust duct has one or more outlets configured to direct a coolant to an exterior of the cooling apparatus, the cooling apparatus further comprising a reservoir situated between the second end of the internal cavity of the second longitudinal body and the one or more outlets.

Clause 9. A cooling apparatus according to clause 1, wherein the pre-cooling coil assembly is located at the second end of the second longitudinal body.

Clause 10. A cooling apparatus according to clause 1, further comprising a series of longitudinally distributed baffles located within the internal cavity of the second longitudinal body.

Clause 11. A cooling apparatus according to clause 9, wherein at least some of the baffles comprise a reservoir configured to collect coolant condensate.

Clause 12. A cooling apparatus according to clause 1, further comprising a base to which the first and second longitudinal bodies are coupled, the base forming a part of a closure cap that is configured to be attached to a hand-held liquid container.

Clause 13. A cooling apparatus according to clause 12, wherein at least a portion of the coolant exhaust duct resides inside the base.

Clause 14. A cooling apparatus according to clause 12, wherein the base comprises a coolant inlet duct in fluid communication with the inlet conduit of the pre-cooling coil assembly.

Clause 15. A cooling apparatus according to clause 14, wherein the inlet duct and the first and second longitudinal bodies are substantially concentrically aligned with one another.

Clause 16. A cooling apparatus according to clause 1, further comprising one or more flow constrictors disposed within an intermediate portion of the tortuous conduit wherein when a coolant is passed through the tortuous conduit, the one or more flow constrictors are configured to cause an increase in a dwell time of the coolant inside the tortuous conduit.

Clause 17. A cooling apparatus according to clause 1, further comprising one or more flow constrictors disposed within an intermediate portion of the tortuous conduit wherein when a coolant is passed through the tortuous conduit the one or more flow constrictors are configured to effectuate an increase of an exhaust temperature of the coolant within the coolant exhaust duct.

Clause 18. A cooling apparatus according to clause 3, wherein the plurality of radially extending and axially spaced apart members comprise first and second ring elements having a first set of through openings and a second set of through openings, respectively, formed longitudinally therein, the second set of through openings having a cross-sectional area smaller than the cross sectional area of the first set of through holes.

Clause 19. An assembly comprising:

a cooling apparatus including:

• • a first longitudinal body having a first outer surface and a first inner surface, the first inner surface defining an internal chamber having first and second ends,
  • a second longitudinal body disposed inside the first longitudinal body, the second longitudinal body having a second outer surface and a second inner surface, the second outer surface facing and being spaced-apart from the first inner surface of the first longitudinal body, the second inner surface defining an internal cavity having first and second ends, the first end being disposed in proximity to the first end of the internal chamber of the first longitudinal body, the second end being disposed in proximity to the second end of the internal chamber of the first longitudinal body,
  • a tortuous conduit disposed between and along a length of the first and second longitudinal bodies, the tortuous conduit being defined in part by the inner surface of the first longitudinal body, the tortuous conduit having an outlet and an inlet that are respectively disposed in proximity to the first and second ends of the internal chamber of the first longitudinal body, the tortuous conduit outlet being in fluid communication with the internal cavity of the second longitudinal body,
  • a coolant exhaust duct in fluid communication with the second end of the internal cavity of the second longitudinal body; and
  • a coolant pre-cooling coil assembly disposed inside the internal cavity of the second longitudinal body between the outlet of the tortuous conduit and the coolant exhaust duct, the coil assembly comprising a coolant inlet and a coolant outlet that is in fluid communication with the tortuous conduit inlet; and

a hand-held liquid container having a first end, a second end and a cavity disposed between the first and second ends for housing a liquid, the first end comprising an opening for receiving or emptying a liquid from the container, at least a majority of the first and second longitudinal bodies of the cooling apparatus residing inside the cavity.

Clause 20. An assembly according to clause 19, further comprising a base to which the first and second longitudinal bodies are coupled, the base forming a part of a first closure cap that is attached to the second end of the hand-held liquid container, the first closure cap forming a liquid-tight seal at the second end of the elongate hand-held container.

Clause 21. An assembly according to clause 20, wherein the first closure cap is releasably coupled with the second end of the hand held liquid container.

Clause 22. An assembly according to clause 20, wherein at least a portion of the coolant exhaust duct resides inside the base.

Clause 23. An assembly according to clause 22, wherein the base comprises a coolant inlet duct in fluid communication with the inlet conduit of the pre-cooling coil assembly.

Clause 24. An assembly according to clause 23, wherein the coolant inlet duct of the base comprises a piercing element configured for piercing a closure at the end of a pressurized cooling medium cartridge.

Clause 25. An assembly according to clause 20, wherein the base comprises one or more coupling elements configured for receiving and releasably retaining an end of a pressurized cooling medium cartridge.

Clause 26. An assembly according to clause 19, wherein the ratio of the volume of the cavity of the hand-held liquid container to the area of first outer surface of the first longitudinal body is between 3.1 ml/mm² and 6.3 ml/mm².

Clause 27. An assembly according to clause 19, wherein the hand-held liquid container contains a fill-line marking located below the opening.

Clause 28. An assembly according to clause 27, further comprising a second closure cap that is releasable coupled with the first end of the hand-held container to form a liquid-tight seal at the first end of the elongate hand-held container, so that upon a liquid occupying a volume of the cavity at or below the fill-line the hand-held liquid container may be shaken to induce a vigorous movement of the liquid with respect to the first outer surface of the first longitudinal body of the cooling apparatus.

Clause 29. A cooling apparatus according to clause 19, further comprising one or more flow constrictors disposed within an intermediate portion of the tortuous conduit wherein when a coolant is passed through the tortuous conduit, the one or more flow constrictors are configured to cause an increase in a dwell time of the coolant inside the tortuous conduit.

Clause 30. A cooling apparatus according to clause 19, further comprising one or more flow constrictors disposed within an intermediate portion of the tortuous conduit wherein when a coolant is passed through the tortuous conduit the one or more flow constrictors are configured to effectuate an increase of an exhaust temperature of the coolant within the coolant exhaust duct.

Clause 31. A cooling apparatus comprising:

a first longitudinal body having a first outer surface and a first inner surface, the first inner surface defining an internal chamber having first and second ends,

a second longitudinal body disposed inside the first longitudinal body, the second longitudinal body having a second outer surface and a second inner surface, the second outer surface facing and being spaced-apart from the first inner surface of the first longitudinal body, the second inner surface defining an internal cavity having first and second ends, the first end being disposed in proximity to the first end of the internal chamber of the first longitudinal body, the second end being disposed in proximity to the second end of the internal chamber of the first longitudinal body,

a tortuous conduit disposed between and along a length of the first and second longitudinal bodies, the tortuous conduit being defined in part by the inner surface of the first longitudinal body, the tortuous conduit having an outlet and an inlet that are respectively disposed in proximity to the first and second ends of the internal chamber of the first longitudinal body, the tortuous conduit outlet being in fluid communication with the internal cavity of the second longitudinal body, the tortuous conduit comprising one or more flow constrictors disposed within an intermediate portion thereof.

Clause 32. A cooling apparatus according to clause 31, further comprising a coolant exhaust duct that exhausts to the atmosphere and that is in fluid communication with the second end of the internal cavity of the second longitudinal body.

Clause 33. A cooling apparatus according to clause 31, wherein when a coolant is passed through the tortuous conduit, the one or more flow constrictors are configured to cause an increase in a dwell time of the coolant inside the tortuous conduit.

Clause 34. A cooling apparatus according to clause 31, wherein when a coolant is passed through the tortuous conduit the one or more flow constrictors are located and configured to effectuate an increase of an exhaust temperature of the coolant within the coolant exhaust duct.

Clause 35. A cooling apparatus according to clause 31, wherein the first body comprises a first material having a first thermal conductivity and the second body comprises a second material having a second thermal conductivity that is less than the first thermal conductivity.

Clause 36. A cooling apparatus according to clause 31, wherein the second longitudinal body comprises a plurality of radially extending and axially spaced apart members that form in part the tortuous conduit.

Clause 37. A cooling apparatus according to clause 36, wherein the plurality of radially extending and axially spaced apart members comprise ring elements having a through opening formed longitudinally therein, at least one or more of the through openings comprising the one or more constrictors, the through openings of axially adjacent ring elements not being longitudinally aligned with one another.

Clause 38. A cooling apparatus according to clause 37, wherein the through opening of at least some of the ring elements are longitudinally aligned with one another.

Clause 39. A cooling apparatus according to clause 37, wherein the through opening of adjacent ring elements are spaced one hundred eighty degrees apart.

Clause 40. A method comprising:

(i) obtaining a portable liquid container having disposed in a cavity therein a heat exchanger configured for cooling a liquid,

(ii) partially filling the cavity of the portable container with a liquid,

(iii) connecting a cooling source to the heat exchanger to initiate a flow of a cooling medium through the heat exchanger, and

(iv) shaking the portable container while the cooling medium is being delivered through the heat exchanger.

Clause 41. A method comprising:

(i) an assembly according to clause 19,

(ii) partially filling the cavity of the hand-held liquid container with a liquid,

(iii) connecting a cooling source to the heat exchanger to initiate a flow of a cooling medium through the heat exchanger, and

(iv) shaking the portable container while the cooling medium is being delivered through the heat exchanger.

Clause 42. A method according to clause 41, wherein the hand-held liquid container includes a fill-line located below the opening, the step of partially filling the cavity of the hand-held liquid container comprising adding the liquid to the cavity to a level at or below the fill-line.

Claims

1. A cooling apparatus comprising:

a container,

a heat exchanger disposed in the container, the heat exchanger including a cooling medium conduit having an inlet and an outlet,

a chamber that is at least partially surrounded by the heat exchanger; and

a valve assembly comprising a housing and a valve member disposed in the housing, the housing having a first passage in fluid communication with the chamber and a second passage in fluid communication with the inlet of the cooling medium conduit of the heat exchanger, the valve member including a first flow path that connects an inlet of the valve member with the chamber when the valve member is in a first position, the valve member including a second flow path that connects the first passage with the second passage when the valve member is in a second position different than the first position.

2. A cooling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the heat exchanger has an inner body and an outer body with the cooling medium conduit being disposed between the inner and outer bodies.

3. A cooling apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the chamber is disposed within the inner body of the heat exchanger.

4. A cooling apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the chamber is formed, at least in part, by the inner body of the heat exchanger.

5. A cooling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the valve member is rotatable within the valve assembly housing, when in the first position the valve member has a first angular orientation and when in the second position the valve member has a second angular orientation different from the first angular orientation.

6. A cooling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the valve member is translatable within the housing between first and second translating positions, when in the first position the valve member is at the first translating position, when in the second position the valve member is at the second translating position.

7. A cooling apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the valve member is translatable within the housing between first and second translating positions, when in the first position the valve member is at the first translating position, when in the second position the valve member is at the second translating position.

8. A cooling apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the valve member is biased towards the second translating position.

9. A cooling apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the valve member is biased towards the first translating position by a resilient member located within the valve assembly housing.

10. A cooling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the valve member is movable between the first and second positions and also a third position that is different from the first and second positions, when the valve member is in the third position no flow path is provided through the valve assembly.

11. A cooling apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a base rotatably coupled to an end of the container, the valve member being coupled with the base and rotatable between the first and second angular orientations by a rotation of the base.

12. A cooling apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a base rotatably coupled to an end of the container, when the base is in a first angular position at least a portion of the base is positioned to occlude the cooling medium conduit outlet, when the base is in a second angular orientation the cooling medium conduit outlet is unoccluded.

13. A cooling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cooling medium conduit comprises interconnected ascending and descending coils, the cooling medium conduit inlet residing in the ascending coil and the cooling medium conduit outlet residing in the descending coil.

14. A cooling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the container is a hand-held liquid container.

15. A cooling apparatus comprising:

a container for receiving a substance to be cooled, the container having a top end and a bottom end,

a heat exchanger disposed in the container, the heat exchanger including a cooling medium conduit having an inlet and an outlet,

a base connected to the bottom end of the container, the heat exchanger being at least partially supported inside the container by the base,

a housing connected to the base,

a rechargeable cooling medium cartridge disposed within the housing, the rechargeable cartridge having a cooling medium charging port and a cooling medium exhaust port; and

a valve disposed between the exhaust port of the rechargeable cooling medium cartridge and the inlet of the cooling medium conduit, the valve transitional between a first position and a second position, when in the first position the valve occludes flow between the exhaust port of the rechargeable cooling medium cartridge and the inlet of the cooling medium conduit, when in the second position a flow path is established through the valve to communicate the exhaust port of the rechargeable cooling medium cartridge with the inlet of the cooling medium conduit.

16. A cooling apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the valve comprises a resilient member that urges the valve towards the first position.

17. A cooling apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the valve is transitional between the first and second positions by a rotational movement and/or a translational movement of the rechargeable cooling medium cartridge with respect to the base.

18. A cooling apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the valve is transitional between the first and second positions by a rotational movement and/or a translational movement of the housing that contains the rechargeable cooling medium cartridge with respect to the base.

19. A cooling apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the outlet of the cooling medium conduit is in fluid communication with the ambient atmosphere via a first flow passage extending through at least a portion of the housing.

20. A cooling apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the outlet of the cooling medium conduit and an inlet of the first flow passage are interconnected via a second flow passage in the base.

21. A cooling apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the exhaust port of the rechargeable cooling medium cartridge comprises an axially extending protrusion, the axially extending protrusion translatable with the rechargeable cooling medium cartridge between a first translating position and a second translating position, when in the second translating position the protrusion acts on the valve to cause the valve to assume the second position, when in the first translating position the protrusion does not act on the valve.

22. A cooling apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the container is a hand-held liquid container.

23. A cooling apparatus comprising:

a container,

a heat exchanger disposed in the container, the heat exchanger including a cooling medium conduit having an inlet and an outlet,

a cavity that is at least partially surrounded by the heat exchanger, the cavity configured to receive a cooling medium cartridge,

an actuator configured to act on the cooling medium cartridge to initiate a discharge of a cooling medium when the cooling medium cartridge resides in the cavity; and

a flow passage configured to direct the cooling medium to the inlet of the cooling medium conduit of the heat exchanger at least when the actuator acts on the cooling medium cartridge.

24. A cooling apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the heat exchanger has a top end and a bottom end, the actuator being situated at or adjacent the top end.

25. A cooling apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the heat exchanger has a top end and a bottom end, the actuator being situated at or adjacent the bottom end.

26. A cooling apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the actuator comprises a protrusion configured to act on the cooling medium cartridge when the cooling medium cartridge resides in the cavity to initiate the discharge of the cooling medium.

27. A cooling apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the flow passage is comprised in the actuator.

28. A cooling apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the flow passage is connected with the inlet of the cooling medium conduit of the heat exchanger only when the actuator is in a position to act on the cooling medium cartridge to initiate the discharge of the cooling medium.

29. A cooling apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the cavity has a longitudinal axis and the actuator is movable in a direction corresponding to the longitudinal axis of the cavity, the actuator movable between a first longitudinal position and a second longitudinal position.

30. A cooling apparatus according to claim 29, wherein when the actuator is in the first longitudinal position the actuator is adapted to act on an outlet of the cooling medium cartridge to initiate the discharge of the cooling medium when the cooling medium cartridge resides in the cavity, and when the actuator is in the second longitudinal position the actuator does not act on the outlet of the cooling medium cartridge.

31. A cooling apparatus comprising:

a container for receiving a substance to be cooled,

a heat exchanger disposed in the container, the heat exchanger including a cooling medium conduit having an inlet and an outlet; and

a refillable cooling medium chamber that is at least partially surrounded by the heat exchanger and that is at least partially formed by a part of the heat exchanger.

32. A cooling apparatus according to claim 31, further comprising a valve assembly comprising a housing and a valve member disposed in the housing, the housing having a first passage in fluid communication with the chamber and a second passage in fluid communication with the inlet of the cooling medium conduit of the heat exchanger, the valve member including a first flow path that connects an inlet of the valve member with the chamber when the valve member is in a first position, the valve member including a second flow path that connects the first passage with the second passage when the valve member is in a second position different than the first position.

33. A cooling apparatus according to claim 31, wherein the heat exchanger comprises an inner elongate body and an outer elongate body, the cooling medium conduit being disposed between the inner and outer elongate bodies, the refillable cooling medium chamber being formed at least in part by the inner elongate body.

34. A cooling apparatus according to claim 31, wherein the heat exchanger comprises an inner elongate body and an outer elongate body, the cooling medium conduit being disposed between the inner and outer elongate bodies, the refillable cooling medium chamber being formed at least in part by the outer elongate body.

35. A cooling apparatus according to claim 31, wherein the heat exchanger comprises an inner elongate body and an outer elongate body, the cooling medium conduit being disposed between the inner and outer elongate bodies, the refillable cooling medium chamber being formed at least in part by the outer elongate body and the inner elongate body.