Cooler Apparatus, System and Method
The present disclosure provides a beverage chilling system including a chilling receptacle subsystem for chilling a beverage container during use by an individual. The beverage chilling system may include a thermoelectric cooling module having a cold surface in direct thermal communication with a cold side heat sink forming a receptacle to receive the beverage container, and a hot surface in direct thermal communication with a hot side heat sink that may be liquid-cooled.
This application is related and claims priority to that U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/458,542 filed Feb. 13, 2017, entitled “COOLER APPARATUS, SYSTEM AND METHOD” by inventor Kenneth Steve Place, which is incorporated by reference in entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present disclosure relates to apparatus, systems and methods for cooling beverages in containers such as, for example, metal cans and plastic bottles during use by individuals.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONChilled single-serving beverage containers, such as metal cans and plastic bottles, may be used with tight-fitting, passive insulating wraps such as “coozies.” The insulating wrap or coozie may be formed of insulating material such as foam and slipped over the outside surface of the pre-chilled beverage container when the beverage is being consumed from the container, and then removed and reused when the container is discarded. A plurality of the beverage containers may be pre-chilled in loose ice or ice water in an ice cooler, or pre-chilled in a residential general-purpose refrigerator or commercial beverage cooler at a restaurant, bar or retail store.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONApparatus, systems and methods for chilling beverage containers as herein disclosed may overcome various shortcomings and deficiencies of present modes for chilling beverage containers. According to disclosed subject matter, deficiencies of existing apparatus, systems and methods for chilling beverage containers may be reduced or avoided. Such reducible or avoidable deficiencies of existing apparatus, systems and methods for chilling beverage containers may include, for example, limited effectiveness in maintaining the beverage container in a uniform, predictable cooled condition over an extended period of time. Other reducible or avoidable deficiencies of existing apparatus, systems and methods for chilling beverage containers may include, for example, the typical requirement of either removing the container in an undesirable, wet condition from a cooler containing ice or ice water, unless a general purpose refrigerator is available. Furthermore, even when a cooler of ice or general purpose refrigerator is available, persons who are generally constrained by mobility limitations or injury, or persons who may desire or need to remain seated in a wheelchair, residential seating, venue seating, or in an automobile, boat or other transport motor vehicle, may find it difficult, impossible or inconvenient to get up and walk or maneuver to the cooler or refrigerator, and then open it and select a pre-chilled beverage. In other situations, individuals may prefer not to drink a warm beverage that was pre-chilled to a desired cool condition or temperature, but since being removed from the refrigerator has sat out and allowed to become warm over a period. Particularly in view of the preceding, and other problems and deficiencies, need exists for improvements in the field of art.
Disclosed subject matter may include apparatuses, systems and methods for chilling a beverage container during consumption of the beverage from the container by an individual. In embodiments, for example, a system for chilling a beverage container may include a cool side heat sink in thermal communication between the container and a cold side of a thermoelectric cooler,
Novel features characteristic of the disclosed subject matter will be set forth in claims, below. The disclosed subject matter, as well as modes of use, further objectives, and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
The novel features believed characteristic of the disclosed subject matter will be set forth in any claims that are filed later. The disclosed subject matter itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives, and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are not drawn to scale except where specifically indicated, and wherein:
Reference now should be made to the drawings, in which the same reference numbers are used throughout the different figures to designate the same components.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTSReference now should be made to the drawings, in which the same reference numbers are used throughout the different figures to designate the same components. It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element. Thus, a first element discussed below could be termed a second element without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising” or “includes” and/or “including” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
It should be noted that the terms “first”, “second”, and the like, herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another. Further, the terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item.
Following is a parts list for elements referenced in
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- beverage chilling system 200
- beverage container 205
- chilling receptacle subsystem 210
- thermoelectric cooling module 215
- cold surface 217
- hot surface 219
- cold side heat sink 225
- chilling receptacle 229
- cold side heat sink body 227
- primary thermal barrier 230
- bottom 231
- secondary thermal barrier 232
- thermal adhesive 237
- external structure 239
- hot side heat sink 240
- cooling fluid block 245
- inlet 247
- outlet 248
- coolant hose 250
- pump 255
- radiator 260
- set of radiator fans 265
- fan 270
- power supply 275
- light 280
- beverage chilling system 300 (air-cooled)
- air-cooled hot side heat sink 335
- set of heat sink fins 340
- hot side fan 370
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Beverage chilling system 200 may include lights (not shown) mounted in the chilling receptacle 229. In embodiments, the lights may be a set or strip of LEDs.
Components may be attached with screws and thermal paste to the thermoelectric cooling module 215. Embodiments may be surrounded with expanding foam sealant, wired and connected to power supply 275.
Some embodiments may be applicable in applications from counter-tops, outdoor kitchens, prep areas, sports arena seating, movie theaters, outdoor power equipment, mowers, tractors, construction equipment, over-the-road tractor-trailers, motorcycles, atv's, utv's, suv's, aircraft, remote facilities, tents, camp sites and other 12v capable producing structures, vehicles or creations.
In some embodiments, the chilling receptacle 229 may be sealed and closeable at top, or may include a sealed beverage container, to further improve cooling. Such a sealed beverage container may be later attached to other components.
In embodiments, the chilling receptacle 229 may be formed of milled thermoconductive billet aluminum having a 0.250″ wall thickness.
Embodiments may function across a wide range of human-tolerant temperatures from −40 to +160 degrees F. One range of operating temperature is 50 to 100+ F depending upon installation techniques and the use of additional pre- and post-cooling components. In other embodiments, the chilling receptacle 229 or sleeve may be formed of metal have a high degree of thermo-conductivity. In an exemplary embodiment, the beverage chilling system 200 may chill a beverage container 205 to 34 degrees F. where ambient temperature is 90 degrees F. In an exemplary embodiment, the beverage chilling system 200 may chill a beverage container 205 to 9 degrees F. where ambient temperature is 60 degrees F.
One embodiment of the present disclosure may include a 0.250′ wall thickness turned down to result in a 2.385″ sleeve/cup diameter may provide suitable conductivity, fitment and installation ease at 88 mm. The floor of an embodiment, due to the reinforcing and conductivity of the attached aluminum plate, may comprise a thinner material facilitate speed of temperature transfer. For example, a 20 gauge aluminum sheet may be suitable or may be thickened or thinned with a corresponding change in cooling rates. Between the two metals, a thin layer of thermal conductive paste may be provided to improve transfer of temperature. The sealing ring at the top of the sleeve may be in contact with the beverage container so as to be cooled efficiently by reducing atmospheric effects.
In some embodiments, the sleeve may be constructed of highly thermo-conductive metal. Some embodiments may include a minimum thickness of 1″ insulation or equivalent surrounding the sidewall of the chilling receptacle 229 or sleeve. In embodiments, the bottom of the chilling receptacle 229 may be joined to the cold surface of the thermoelectric cooler module 215 with thermal paste and stainless steel screws. The upper seal may be of a pliable nature to facilitate sealing on cups, bottles and a wide array of container sizes. A 10-amp fuse may be used in the wiring to prevent electrical problems. Condensation may be allowed to form and collect in the bottom of the sleeve/cup to enhance thermal conductivity and boost the performance.
It will be understood that embodiments may have increased capacity for heat exchange for cooling a beverage, for example, by including a Peltier device having larger cooling capacity, increasing heat transfer capacity from the beverage container to the thermal transfer device such as by providing direct contact between the thermal transfer device and metal beverage container, and increasing heat transfer capacity from the beverage container to the thermal transfer device such as by using thermal paste.
Countertop embodiments, may include a larger heat sink and larger thermoelectric cooling module 215, an aluminum container of different diameter, depth and wall thickness, and may include induced phenomenon of condensation to produce a water tight connection to the beverage container with increasing performance.
While the disclosure has been presented with respect to certain specific embodiments, it will be appreciated that many modifications and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. It is intended, therefore, by the appended claims to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit and scope of the disclosure.
Exemplary embodiments of apparatuses, systems and methods are described and illustrated. Although specific embodiments are illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that any arrangement that is calculated to achieve the same purposes can be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the embodiments and disclosure. For example, although described in terminology and terms common to the field of art, exemplary embodiments, systems, methods and apparatus described herein, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that implementations can be made for other fields of art, systems, apparatus or methods that provide the required functions.
In particular, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that the names of the methods and apparatus are not intended to limit embodiments or the disclosure. Furthermore, additional methods, steps, and apparatus can be added to the components, functions can be rearranged among the components, and new components to correspond to future enhancements and physical devices used in embodiments can be introduced without departing from the scope of embodiments and the disclosure. One of skill in the art will readily recognize that embodiments are applicable to future systems, future apparatus, future methods, and different materials.
Terminology used in the present disclosure is intended to include all environments and alternate technologies that provide the same functionality described herein.
Claims
1. A beverage chilling system, comprising:
- a chilling receptacle subsystem for chilling a beverage container during use, the chilling receptacle subsystem including a cold side heat sink having a bottom joined in direct thermal communication with a cold surface of a thermoelectric cooling module, the cold side heat sink having a sidewall in cooperation with the bottom forming a chilling receptacle to receive the beverage container seated on the bottom in an upright orientation, the thermoelectric cooling module having a hot surface joined in direct thermal communication with a hot side heat sink, the hot side heat sink being liquid-cooled.
2. The beverage chilling system of claim 1, further comprising:
- the chilling receptacle having the bottom joined with the cylindrical sidewall.
3. The beverage chilling system of claim 1, further comprising:
- a primary thermal barrier coating an outside surface of the sidewall.
4. The beverage chilling system of claim 3, further comprising:
- the primary thermal barrier including an insulating coating layer on the outside surface of the sidewall.
5. The beverage chilling system of claim 1, further comprising:
- a secondary thermal barrier providing at least one of the following: a first air seal reducing air flow between the sidewall and an external member spaced from the sidewall, and a second air seal reducing air flow between the sidewall and beverage receptacle.
6. The beverage chilling system of claim 1, further comprising:
- a coolant hose connected to the hot side heat sink to remove coolant fluid in thermal communication with the hot side heat sink.
7. The beverage chilling system of claim 6, further comprising:
- a radiator connected by a coolant hose to the hot side heat sink, the radiator configured for thermal communication with the coolant fluid to dissipate heat from the coolant fluid into air.
8. The beverage chilling system of claim 6, further comprising:
- a fan configured to move air across a set of cooling fins of the radiator.
9. The beverage chilling system of claim 6, further comprising:
- a pump configured to move coolant fluid through the coolant hose.
10. The beverage chilling system of claim 1, further comprising:
- a plurality of the chilling receptacle subsystems connected to a liquid cooling system.
11. The beverage chilling system of claim 10, further comprising:
- the liquid cooling system including a plurality of coolant hoses connected to remove coolant fluid the plurality of the chilling receptacle subsystems.
12. The beverage chilling system of claim 1, further comprising:
- the chilling receptacle subsystem comprising a light associated with the chilling receptacle.
13. The beverage chilling system of claim 12, further comprising:
- the light including a set of LEDs.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 13, 2018
Publication Date: Sep 6, 2018
Inventor: Kenneth Steve Place (Springdale, AR)
Application Number: 15/895,804