Beverage Dispenser Patents (Class 62/3.64)
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Patent number: 12144460Abstract: A combination bottle warmer and cooler device can include a thermally conductive medium plate in thermal contact with a thermoelectric module. Liquid can be brought into thermal contact with the medium plate. A temperature sensor can sense the temperature of the medium plate. A controller can receive the temperature readings of the sensor and apply a voltage differential to the thermoelectric module in order to warm or cool the liquid.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2023Date of Patent: November 19, 2024Assignee: Babba Care Inc.Inventors: Daniel Royal Evans, Eric Gimson Harper
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Patent number: 11680734Abstract: A Cornelius keg refrigerated storage, transport, and contents dispensing device holds the keg in the interior of a container equipped with provision for transporting the container, cooling the keg using refrigerated contact along the effective height of the keg, insulating the keg to maintain temperature, and storing the equipment for dispensing the keg contents.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2021Date of Patent: June 20, 2023Inventors: Gwyn-Mohr Pierce Tully, Gregory Edward Young, Michael Peter Kelley
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Patent number: 11506451Abstract: An apparatus for cooling bottled beverages may include an open-topped vessel defining a bottle chamber. The vessel may have a tubular wall and a base. The apparatus may further include a cooling device in thermal communication with the base of the vessel and with a heat exchanger. The apparatus may also include a tubular housing surrounding the vessel and enclosing the cooling device and the heat exchanger. Additionally, the apparatus may include a fan configured to provide an air flow along an airflow path. The airflow path may extend from an inlet of the housing, across the heat exchanger, to an outlet of the housing.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2017Date of Patent: November 22, 2022Inventor: Kevin Jabou
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Patent number: 11221171Abstract: A refrigerated logistics box, consisting of a box, is configured with a plurality of thermal insulating layers and temperature equalization plates. Cooling liquid is caused to enter the interior of the box to maintain a cold temperature therein for a period of time, or a refrigeration device provides the box with a cold source, which continuously transmits cold to the interior of the box, and cooling liquid inside the box is caused to flow back into the refrigeration device to repeat the cooling process. Such a cyclic cooling process maintains the temperature set for the interior of the box.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2019Date of Patent: January 11, 2022Inventors: Chien-Shun Chao, Xiangdong Shi
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Patent number: 11118827Abstract: A portable cooler container is provided. The temperature control system cools a chamber of the container to transport temperature sensitive contents via the container. An electronic display screen on one of the lid and the container body selectively displays an electronic shipping label for the portable cooler container.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2020Date of Patent: September 14, 2021Assignee: Ember Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Clayton Alexander, Daren John Leith, Mikko Juhani Timperi, Christopher Thomas Wakeham, Rahul Mulinti, Jacob William Emmert, Paul Thomas Gurney
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Patent number: 11098942Abstract: The present invention provides a refrigeration device, wherein a chamber structure is provided with a refrigeration space, and further fitted with a return outlet flow pipe and a return inlet flow pipe. Cold from a cold source produced by a refrigeration chip passes through a temperature equalization plate or a heat conducting pipe to enter the interior of a refrigeration space. A return inlet flow pipe of the refrigeration device is inserted into a beverage and used to input the beverage to the interior of the refrigeration space for cooling thereof. The beverage is then output from the inside of the refrigeration space through the return outlet flow pipe into a cup. The refrigeration device thus achieves fast cooling of a beverage to produce a cold drink. The refrigeration device can be applied in medical treatment, beds, and clothing, as well as medical equipment to provide a cooling function.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2019Date of Patent: August 24, 2021Inventors: Chien-Shun Chao, Xiangdong Shi
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Patent number: 11008205Abstract: A cooling unit has (a) a cooling cartridge having (i) two foils sealed to one another along a perimeter area delimiting an inner area of the cartridge where a liquid pathway is defined between both foils, the liquid pathway making a fluid communication between an inlet and an outlet of the cooling cartridge; (ii) a web or mesh of material provided between both foils in the inner area of the cooling cartridge in the liquid pathway, the web or mesh of material has contact zones where the foils contact the web or mesh of material in the inner area of the cooling cartridge when the pressure reigning in the inner area equals ambient pressure; (b) a first cooling plate has a first surface and a second cooling plate has a second surface facing the first surface; (c) a cold source suitable for cooling said first and second surfaces, wherein the inner area of the cooling cartridge is positioned between both cooling surfaces; wherein the foils are not or only at distinct locations attached to the contact zones of the wType: GrantFiled: November 29, 2017Date of Patent: May 18, 2021Assignee: Anheuser-Busch InBev S.A.Inventors: Daniel Peirsman, Lieven Dirx
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Patent number: 10794618Abstract: Exemplary embodiments include tanks for cooling liquid where at least two thermoelectric chips come into contact with and cool a plurality of conductive fins that each extend into the interior of the tank where they come into contact with and thereby chill fluid as it is housed in and flows between two connected chambers within the tank.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2016Date of Patent: October 6, 2020Assignee: LVD Acquisition, LLCInventor: Alexander Wasserman
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Patent number: 10747276Abstract: The disclosure provides a water cooling radiator including cold end chamber body, thermoelectric chip, heat dissipating assembly and water tank. The thermoelectric chip has cooling surface and heat-generating surface, and the cooling surface is thermally coupled to the cold end chamber body. The dissipating assembly is thermally coupled to the heat-generating surface. The water tank has first chamber, second chamber, outer inlet, first inner outlet, first inner inlet and outer outlet. The cold end chamber body has a channel, two opposite ends of the channel are respectively connected to the first inner outlet and the first inner inlet, allowing liquid coolant flowing into the first chamber via the outer inlet to flow through the channel and then flow out of the second chamber from the outer outlet.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2018Date of Patent: August 18, 2020Assignee: COOLER MASTER TECHNOLOGY INC.Inventor: Chen-Wei Chen
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Patent number: 10555374Abstract: The present invention generally relates to thawing a cryogenically frozen sample. The systems, devices, and methods may be used to heat a sample holder, the sample holder configured to receive a sample container holding the frozen sample. A sample thaw start time may be identified by measuring a temperature of the sample container and/or a temperature of the sample. A sample thaw end time may be calculated as a function of the sample thaw start time. In some embodiments, the same thaw start time may be identified by a significant change in a first derivative of a warming curve of recorded temperature measurements. The sample end time may be calculated by adding a constant to the sample thaw start time. The constant may be the average sample thaw time per the sample container.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2015Date of Patent: February 4, 2020Assignee: BioLife Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Brian Schryver, David Shannon
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Patent number: 10537977Abstract: The present invention is embodied in a carbon dioxide compression and delivery device that uses a plurality of reversible thermoelectric devices and to a method to operate such carbon dioxide compression and delivery device.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2017Date of Patent: January 21, 2020Assignee: SAES Pure Gas, Inc.Inventors: Charles H Applegarth, Matthew S Browning
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Patent number: 10526188Abstract: A water cooling apparatus and a water purifier having a water cooling apparatus is provided. The water cooling apparatus may include a case, a water tank provided within the case, a cooling block provided to be in contact with the water tank and to cool the water tank through heat exchange, a thermoelectric element having one side in contact with the cooling block and provided so as to transfer heat from the one side to another side of the thermoelectric element when power is applied thereto, an insulator provided within the case and that covers the water tank and the cooling block, and a heat dissipation block provided outside of the case and provided to be in contact with the other side of the thermoelectric element to dissipate heat from the other side of the thermoelectric element.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2017Date of Patent: January 7, 2020Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Jintae Kim, Jinpyo Hong, Jaegeun Lee, Jisun Jung
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Patent number: 10464802Abstract: A cold water generating apparatus according to the present disclosure includes a tank having an inlet port and an outlet port, a cooling module coupled to the tank to cool purified water introduced into the tank through the inlet port, and an internal passage unit formed inside the tank to guide the purified water from the inlet port to the outlet port, wherein a part of the purified water is phase-changed into ice within the tank by the cooling module, and another part of the purified water flows along the internal passage unit to be brought into contact with the ice so as to be discharged through the outlet port.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2017Date of Patent: November 5, 2019Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Jisun Jung, Jaegeun Lee, Jintae Kim, Jinpyo Hong
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Patent number: 10465980Abstract: A self-cooling device to cool a beverage, the device comprising a miniaturised scroll compressor, a heat sink, an electric motor, an expansion valve allowing passage of a refrigerant into the network of capillaries before entering back into the reservoir, a power source of electrical energy, several temperature gauging devices, a micro-processor, a simple user interface for temperature setting, and an on/off switch. The miniaturised scroll compressor pumps the refrigerant through itself and then through a heat sink (the second heat exchange) and then through an expansion valve through the network of capillaries running inside the walls of the container, whereby a first heat exchange takes place. The refrigerant then returns to the reservoir.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2016Date of Patent: November 5, 2019Assignee: SYNERGYSTIC PTE. LTD.Inventor: Prem Anand Jayaram
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Patent number: 10364555Abstract: A non-invasive thermal dispersion flow meter with chronometric monitor for fluid leak detection includes a heater, an ambient temperature sensor and a flow rate sensor which are configured to sense the temperature of a fluid in a conduit, and then monitor the flow of that fluid through the conduit. The fluid flow sensor is incorporated into a Wheatstone bridge circuit which is used to provide increased sensitivity to the outputs of the sensors. Based upon the ambient temperature sensor readings, the flow rate sensor and heater may be adjusted to optimize the operation of the system to detect leaks. An alternative embodiment utilizes a single sensor and separate heater which work together to determine heat propagation times which in turn is used to calculate flow rate.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2016Date of Patent: July 30, 2019Assignee: Sentinel Hydrosolutions, LLCInventor: Robert Trescott
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Patent number: 9789804Abstract: A portable container assembly that can include a wheeled hand cart for transporting articles mounted on a platform or basket can be mounted in an elevated, horizontal position on the rear of a vehicle. The hand cart includes a downwardly facing channel that can be aligned with and inserted over a support bar extending from the rear of a hitch receiver on a vehicle. Upright handles on the hand cart supply sufficient mechanical advantage to allow the user to first tilt the and cart, and when the channel is aligned with the support bar, the hand cart can be rotated so that it is lifted into position and supported by the support bar on a vehicle. The support bar is attachable to and detachable from a conventional hitch receiver. A cooler can also be mounted directly to and supported only by the hitch extension.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2015Date of Patent: October 17, 2017Inventors: Eddie Clifton Brinkley, Chadwick Clifton Brinkley
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Patent number: 9752808Abstract: A temperature maintaining case includes a main body having a recessed storage chamber formed by a heat-insulating wall, and a lid body mounted on the main body capable of closing an opening of the storage chamber. Further, the temperature maintaining case includes: a heat storage member exposed to the storage chamber; a thermoelectric device having a first heat transferring surface and a second heat transferring surface opposite to the first heat transferring surface, the first heat transferring surface being connected to the heat storage member; a control device configured to drive and control the thermoelectric device; and a cover member mounted on the main body. The cover member is capable of selecting an exposed state and a shielded state.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2015Date of Patent: September 5, 2017Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.Inventors: Ken Nakamura, Hisashi Kanou, Noriaki Yukawa, Toshio Mitsuyasu
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Patent number: 9315371Abstract: A water dispenser includes a baffle which interferes with the downward flow of water introduced into a cold water tank through a water supply line. The baffle has a water transfer passage formed by a downwardly recessed surface portion formed on the top surface of the baffle and having a distal edge, and an edge portion having a predetermined thickness and located over the distal edge so as to overlap the distal edge. The water transfer passage is configured such that the recessed surface portion deflects the flow of water flowing down through the water transfer passage in a horizontal direction or a direction close to a horizontal direction. Water is thus discharged from the terminal end opening defined by the distal edge and the edge portion into the lower portion of the cold water tank in a direction close to a horizontal direction.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2012Date of Patent: April 19, 2016Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA COSMO LIFEInventor: Yoshinori Orita
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Patent number: 9175886Abstract: A heat exchanger having a thermoelectric element. A heat-generating pack defines therein a circulation space, and has a passage in an upper portion of one end and a passage in the lower portion of the opposite end. A heat-absorbing pack defines therein a circulation space, and has a passage in the lower portion of one end and a passage in the upper portion of the opposite end. The heat-generating pack and the heat-absorbing pack are stacked on each other. The thermoelectric element is disposed between the heat-generating pack and the heat-absorbing pack, and has a heat-generating surface adjoining the heat-generating pack and a heat-absorbing surface adjoining the heat-absorbing pack.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: November 3, 2015Assignees: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventors: Man Ju Oh, Jae Woong Kim, Jae Woo Park, Jae Hoon Kim
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Patent number: 9151527Abstract: An ice maker adapted to make clear ice spheres includes a mold apparatus having a first mold portion and a second mold portion. The first and second mold portions further include mold cavity segments which define mold cavities when the mold apparatus is assembled in an ice forming position. A cooling source is in thermal communication with the first mold portion of the mold apparatus, such that water injected into the mold cavities is solidified in a directional manner from the first mold portion to the second mold portion to create a clear ice structure. Water is circulated, typically continuously, within the mold cavities to ensure clear ice is formed by injecting and simultaneously ejecting water from the mold cavities during ice formation.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2012Date of Patent: October 6, 2015Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Patrick J. Boarman, Brian K. Culley
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Patent number: 9080800Abstract: A method of making clear ice spheres includes a providing a mold apparatus having a first mold portion and a second mold portion having mold cavity segments which define one or more mold cavities when the mold apparatus is assembled in an ice forming position. The mold apparatus is then cooled using a cooling source in thermal communication with the first mold portion. Water is then injected into the mold cavities, such that a portion of the water injected into the mold cavities is solidified in a directional manner from the first mold portion to the second mold portion to create a clear ice structure. Water is continuously circulated within the mold cavities to ensure clear ice is formed by injecting and simultaneously ejecting water from the mold cavities during ice formation. The ice clear structures are then released from the mold apparatus by disassembling the mold apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2012Date of Patent: July 14, 2015Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventor: Brian K. Culley
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Patent number: 9074802Abstract: A method of making clear ice spheres includes a providing a mold apparatus having a first mold portion and a second mold portion having mold cavity segments which define one or more mold cavities when the mold apparatus is assembled in an ice forming position. The mold apparatus includes a water jacketing system which is adapted to keep water in continuous circulation within the mold cavities to ensure clear ice is formed. Water is injected into the mold cavities and where a portion of the water is frozen to form a clear ice structure and a portion of the water enters the water jacketing system. Water may remain circulating in the water jacketing system, or may be expelled from the mold apparatus. The circulating water of the water jacketing system facilitates directional solidification of clear ice structure across a thermal gradient of the mold apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2012Date of Patent: July 7, 2015Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Brian K. Culley, Yen-Hsi Lin
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Patent number: 9074803Abstract: A method of making clear ice spheres includes a providing a mold apparatus having a first mold portion and a second mold portion having mold cavity segments which define one or more mold cavities when the mold apparatus is assembled. A clear ice sheet is deposited in the mold apparatus in a channel defined by the spaced apart mold portions when the mold apparatus is in an open position. The mold apparatus is assembled about the sheet of clear ice such that the clear ice sheet is shaped to form one or more clear ice structures in the mold cavities.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2012Date of Patent: July 7, 2015Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventor: Brian K. Culley
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Publication number: 20150135728Abstract: A thermoelectrically cooled container is provided, the thermoelectrically cooled container including a container body have an internal cavity and an outer surface. The container further includes a lid assembly removably connected to the container body, and a thermoelectric cooling unit associated with the container body. The thermoelectric cooling unit is configured to cool the container body.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2014Publication date: May 21, 2015Applicant: LIKUMA LABORATORIES, LLCInventors: KURT M. SWANSON, DONALD PANCOE
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Publication number: 20150128615Abstract: The invention concerns a chilled beverage dispenser comprising:—a beverage cooling reservoir (1) comprising a thermo-electric device (2) and a temperature sensor (10),—a beverage supply (3),—a pump (4) for pumping the beverage from the beverage supply to the beverage cooling reservoir,—a line (5) for dispensing chilled beverage from 51 the outlet (9) of the beverage cooling reservoir, said line comprising a dispense valve (51), wherein the dispenser comprises a beverage recirculation line (6) for recirculating the beverage from the beverage cooling reservoir outlet (9) through the pump (4) back to the beverage cooling reservoir.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2012Publication date: May 14, 2015Applicant: NESTEC S.A.Inventors: Ruguo Hu, Ting Deng
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Patent number: 8991193Abstract: A cooling and heating cup holder may include a holder body being open in a top thereof and defining a space therein so as to receive a cup, a blower fluid-connected to first and second sides of the holder body, wherein the blower supplies air to the first side of the holder body and draws the air off from the second side of the holder body to circulate the air around the holder body, and a flow guide having a spiral shape provided along an inner circumferential surface of the holder body, wherein a first end of the flow guide may be fluid-connected to the first side of the holder body and a second end of the flow guide may be fluid-connected to the second side of the holder body so that the flow guide guides the air in the holder body to flow spirally outside an outer circumferential surface of the cup held in the holder body.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2012Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventors: Jae Woo Park, Jae Woong Kim, Man Ju Oh
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Patent number: 8955336Abstract: A temperature control system (400) for a liquid comprises two sets of temperature control elements oppositely disposed to one another and define between them a temperature control zone. A conduit system within the temperature control zone defines a liquid flow path (300, 302) that is configured to have one or more first segments in proximity to and in heat-conducting association with one of the two sets and one or more second segments in proximity to and in heat-conducting association with the other of the two sets. The temperature control system (400) may be used as a liquid cooling or heating module in a cold liquid dispensing device or system, such as a drinking water or other beverage dispensing device.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2010Date of Patent: February 17, 2015Assignee: Strauss Water Ltd.Inventors: Haim Wilder, Rami Ronen, Eyal Krystal, Omri Bar-On
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Publication number: 20150013347Abstract: The present invention relates to a liquid temperature controlling system and, more particularly, to a modular liquid temperature controlling system that is structured and/or configured to cool a volume of liquid stored in a container through direct contact with a portion of the system which utilizes at least one thermoelectric device.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2014Publication date: January 15, 2015Applicant: BREWJACKET, INC.Inventors: Aaron Walls, Matthew Goff, Evgeniy Tkachenko
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Patent number: 8875732Abstract: A food dispensing machine includes a product chamber and an ingredients source including a gas source connected to the product chamber. A flow control device is configured to control ingredients flow from the ingredients source to the product chamber. A pressure measurement device is configured to output a gas pressure signal, and a controller is configured to receive the gas pressure signal and determine a gas flow control signal based on the gas pressure signal. The controller outputs the gas flow control signal to the flow control device.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2011Date of Patent: November 4, 2014Assignee: FBD PartnershipInventor: Craig Cloud
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Publication number: 20140250919Abstract: A device for cooling beverages comprises a cooling chamber 3, a supply arrangement 31, a dispensing arrangement 4 and at least one thermoelectric converter 5. The cooling chamber encloses a hollow space 35, 36, 37, 38. The supply arrangement is configured to supply a liquid to the hollow space enclosed by the cooling chamber. The dispensing arrangement is configured to withdraw liquid from the hollow space enclosed by the cooling chamber, and the at least one thermoelectric converter has a first surface through which an amount of cooling is delivered when the thermoelectric converter is supplied with electric energy. In the device the first surface is in thermal contact with the cooling chamber, and the cooling chamber includes in its interior at least one array of spaced apart fins 34, each extending from one of the sidewalls of the cooling chamber into the interior thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2012Publication date: September 11, 2014Inventor: Andreas OBERMAIER
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Patent number: 8820094Abstract: A thermoelectric wine pouch cooler/dispenser apparatus powered by household current has a thermally insulated cabinet that sits on a countertop or other flat surface and has a thermoelectric cooling system. The cabinet has at least one thermally insulated compartment that receives a removable bag support housing containing a collapsible flexible wine-filled bag from a “bag-in-box” wine container and its dispensing valve. The bag support housing includes a spring biased plate to facilitate emptying of the contents of the bag. The temperature of each compartment is individually controlled by a digital temperature controller and a thermoelectric cooling assembly which includes a fan and a cold plate engaged on a thermally conductive heat transfer block at the top of each compartment which engages the bag support housing.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2009Date of Patent: September 2, 2014Inventors: Calvin Casher, Labata Casher
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Patent number: 8757433Abstract: A dispenser automatically dispenses beverage cans. A housing has a conveyor along which cans are conveyed by gravity to a removal opening. A dispensing flap is on the removal opening and can be pivoted between a closed position, in which it prevents the removal of products through the removal opening, and a removal position. The dispensing flap has two trough-shaped receptacles lying at right angles to the conveyor section for one can, and is pivotal such that in the closed position a can is conveyed from the conveyor section into the first receptacle positioned to the inside of the housing, removal of the can from the first receptacle being prevented. In the removal position the can rolls from the first receptacle into the second receptacle, at the same time a new can is prevented from being conveyed from the conveyor into the first receptacle.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2010Date of Patent: June 24, 2014Assignee: Gastro-Cool GmbH & Co. KGInventor: Christian Machers
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Patent number: 8695371Abstract: A refrigerator includes a water conditioning cartridge having a filter for removing impurities from water and a temperature control unit for selectively developing cold and heated water that is released from a refrigerator dispenser. The temperature control unit is preferably formed from one or more thermal electric coolers. The thermal electric cooler(s) include a plurality of heat sinks that develop cool and hot temperatures to treat or condition the water. A fan is positioned adjacent the thermal electric cooler(s) to provide air exchange for the plurality of heat sinks. The temperature control unit conditions, i.e., heats or cools water passing from the filter to the dispenser depending upon a selected consumer preference.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2007Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Patrick J. Boarman, Daniel John Aust
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Patent number: 8596496Abstract: An apparatus for storing and dispensing wine comprises a housing formed substantially in the shape of a wine barrel. The housing including a circumferential wall, a first closed end and a second open end. A spigot for selectively dispensing wine is supported by and positioned through the first closed end of the housing. A removable insert disposable within the housing through the second open end contains a collapsible bladder of wine. A wine dispensing port is contained within the bladder and insert. With the insert positioned within the housing, the port is positioned proximate the second open end thereof. A conduit in fluid communication with the spigot extends from the first closed end toward the second open end. Upon disposing the insert within the housing, the conduit is connectable to the port wherein the wine can be selectively dispensed from the spigot.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2011Date of Patent: December 3, 2013Assignee: Vinocopia, Inc.Inventor: Jon M. Malinski
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Patent number: 8443614Abstract: Provided is a refrigerator with a dispenser assembly capable of sensing the height of a vessel and water level using a remote sensor by employing changes in electrostatic capacitance, in order to enable a user to automatically dispense water to a desired level regardless of the material or size of a vessel.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2009Date of Patent: May 21, 2013Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventor: Seong Wook Kim
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Patent number: 8397519Abstract: A bottle display stand with an active cooling function. The display stand includes a housing having an opening into which a beverage bottle may be inserted. A reservoir for containing a cooling medium is disposed inside the hollow housing. A pump, in fluid communication with the reservoir, recirculates the cooling medium from the reservoir through a fluid passageway and out of a spray jet. The spray jet is aimed at an upper region of the bottle, preferably the shoulder. Cooling medium travels down the body of the bottle substantially in a thin film that does not obscure the bottle or its label and creates a waterfall- or fountain-type effect that is extremely aesthetically pleasing without splashing, dripping, or a similar mess. Simultaneously, the thin film of cooling medium chills the beverage and keeps it cold. A cooling unit may optionally remove heat from the cooling medium.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2009Date of Patent: March 19, 2013Assignee: The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and ArtInventors: Gregory H. Loibl, George Sidebotham, Michael B. Gutierrez
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Patent number: 8387826Abstract: A beverage dispenser has gauges to measure the temperature of the beverage, in at least one embodiment beer, stored in a closed beverage container. The beverage is pressurized and a pressure gauge in the gas supply conduit line measures the pressure of the gas in the beverage container. A pressure regulator in the gas supply conduit line assists in ensuring that the pressure is consistent. The valve is closed during dispensation and the temperature and the gas pressure are measured immediately afterwards. By calculating the temperature change of the beverage and the pressure drop in the container, the amount of beverage can be calculated accurately. This in turn can be utilized to reliably calculate how beverage is left in the container and this information is then presented on a display, in at least one embodiment, as a series of indicator bars.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2007Date of Patent: March 5, 2013Assignee: Hoshizaki Denki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Syunji Tsubouchi, Eiji Hara, Fumitaka Saitou
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Publication number: 20130047631Abstract: A water dispenser including a water inlet system, a drinking water storage system, a heat-exchange water system, a refrigeration system, a heating system and a water outlet system is provided. The drinking water storage system connects the water inlet system. The refrigeration system connects the drinking water storage system and has a water cooling tank and a first thermoelectric element. The cooling side of the first thermoelectric element contacts the water cooling tank. The heating system connected the drinking water storage system has a low-temperature water heating tank and a second thermoelectric element. A heating side of the second thermoelectric element contacts the low-temperature water heating tank. The heat-exchange system connects the water inlet system, a heating side of the first thermoelectric element and a cooling side of the second thermoelectric element. The water outlet system connects the refrigeration system and the heating system.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2012Publication date: February 28, 2013Applicant: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTEInventors: Ming-Lang Hung, Jyi-Ching Perng, Ya-Wen Chou, Yi-Ray Chen, Yan-Ching Lee
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Patent number: 8196618Abstract: A dispenser and a refrigerator including the same are disclosed. The dispenser includes a first section of ice discharge duct that receives ice supplied from an ice supplier, a second section of ice discharge duct that receives the ice guided by the first section, and a third section of ice discharge duct that receives the ice guided by the second section. The third section guides the ice through an outlet positioned in front of a surface of a door of the refrigerator. The dispenser also includes a first coupling mechanism located at the second section and a second coupling mechanism located at the third section. The first and second coupling mechanisms are configured to engage and disengage with each other to enable removal of the third section from the second section and attachment of the third section to the second section.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2008Date of Patent: June 12, 2012Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Seong Jae Kim, Nam Gi Lee
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Patent number: 8196648Abstract: An air expandable bladder grips a beverage container within the vehicle and serves as a beverage holder. The container holder utilizes a hot air duct that receives its hot air from the heater core and its cold air from the evaporator, both of which may be located within the HVAC case. An air inlet duct receives the hot, cold, or blended air from an air mixing valve and directs the air into, and expands, the bladder. An exit orifice may exist in the bladder to release air from the bladder and provide back pressure in the bladder. A user-controlled switch permits a person to select whether hot, cold, or blended air will pass into the bladder inlet duct. The drink holder may be located within a center console, dash, door or other location within the vehicle interior.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2006Date of Patent: June 12, 2012Assignee: DENSO International America, Inc.Inventor: Masashi Matsukawa
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Publication number: 20120125016Abstract: A temperature control system for dispensing a fluid material from an applicator nozzle at a controlled temperature that includes at least one temperature control fluid conduit at least one fluid material supply conduit and at least one manifold device. The manifold device is in thermal communication with the temperature control fluid conduit and the fluid conduit and may also be in thermal communication with the fluid material supply conduit. At least one thermal adjustment device is in thermal contact with the manifold device. The thermal adjustment device includes at least one thermoelectric device such as at least one peltier circuit. The temperature control system also includes at least one sensor positioned proximate to the applicator nozzle that produces at least one signal actionable on the Peltier circuit device.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 4, 2010Publication date: May 24, 2012Inventor: William A. Cline
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Patent number: 8181468Abstract: Apparatus and methods for dispensing small amounts of a viscous material onto a workpiece. The narrow-profile dispensing apparatus includes a fluid chamber, a nozzle, and a valve seat disk representing individual components that are removable from a main body of the dispensing apparatus for cleaning and/or replacement. The nozzle is coupled with the fluid chamber by a heat transfer body that may be cooled by, for example, a cooling fluid routed through an air pathway defined in the heat transfer body. The main body of the dispensing apparatus may be cooled by air exhausted from an air cavity of a pneumatic actuator regulating the movement of a needle to control the flow of viscous material in the dispensing apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2010Date of Patent: May 22, 2012Assignee: Nordson CorporationInventors: Erik Fiske, Horatio Quinones, Philip P. Maiorca, Alec Babiarz, Robert Ciardella
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Publication number: 20110100049Abstract: A countermount, provided with a jacket (13) and a passage (16), wherein the jacket is provided with a supply (14) and a discharge (15) for a cooling fluid and the passage extends between an inlet and a tap, wherein within the passage a beverage line is provided which extends at least between the inlet (17) and the tap (7), wherein between at least a part of a wall of the passage and the beverage line, a temperature regulating space (24) and/or a temperature regulating element (80) is provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2009Publication date: May 5, 2011Applicant: HEINEKEN SUPPLY CHAIN B.V.Inventor: Bart Jan Bax
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Patent number: 7882705Abstract: A water cooler (10) comprises an internal tank (400) that is normally connected to an inverted reservoir (200) and to a delivery spout (122). A cup shaped filter (300) is placed in the water passage (138, 152, 402) leading from the reservoir to the tank. The filter contains filtration material. It also has microscopic openings (323) in its cover and base (306) through which water passes into and out of a filter cup.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2004Date of Patent: February 8, 2011Inventor: Gary Errol Flax
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Patent number: 7861539Abstract: A cooling fan with thermostatic air output has a water cistern and a water reservoir respectively disposed on the top portion and the bottom portion of the fan body, wherein an electric fan and two pipes of recycling pipe and water outlet pipe for water circulation are disposed therein; Wherein a Thermoelectric Cooling Modules (TECM) is secured in said water cistern, and a water absorbing curtain is hung downwards between the wind inlet of said fan body and said electric fan such that the top end of said water absorbing curtain being immersed in the water cistern; Then, by means of the sucking function of said electric fan in front of said water absorbing curtain, the air of normal temperature from wind inlet is sucked and blown out of the wind outlet via said water absorbing curtain, where the inlet air mixing with moisture of lower temperature; Thus, the cooling effect in breeze of lower temperature by blowing action is achieved so as to let us enjoy such cooling breeze.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2008Date of Patent: January 4, 2011Inventor: Chung-E Wu
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Patent number: 7861993Abstract: A cup holder, wherein the cup holder comprises a well adapted to receive a beverage container through an open top of the well. The cup holder also includes a sealing unit having a ring seal secured to the well adjacent to the open top of the well. The ring seal engages the container when the container is disposed in the well to cooperate with the well in providing a substantially closed and sealed chamber resistant to heat transfer to or from the chamber.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2006Date of Patent: January 4, 2011Assignee: Chrysler Group LLCInventors: Alison Hansen, Christopher R Reynolds, Mark A Kelly
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Publication number: 20100206900Abstract: The present invention relates to a self supporting closed beverage container (1) of a paper based material (2) composed of a carton for comprising a low-carbonate beverage, wherein said beverage container comprises: —at least one inner liquid sealant polymeric layer (4) welded to the paper based material; and/or —an inner bag (11) for holding a beverage and which inner bag (11) has a deformable wall part which is compressible, for dispensing beverages from the container upon deformation of the flexible wall part caused by gas pressure produced by pressure means (12); and the beverage container (1) comprises: —at least one beverage delivering tube (5) having at least one flexible section, —at least one beverage outlet opening (6) through which a lower part (7) of said beverage delivering tube (5) extends to the bottom (8) of the inner beverage container (1) and the upper part of the tube extends outwards (9), —at least one gas pressure inlet opening (10); wherein said self supporting closed beverage containerType: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2008Publication date: August 19, 2010Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.Inventors: Christoph Dobrusskin, Paul Augustinus Johannes Horstman
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Patent number: 7762088Abstract: Apparatus and methods for dispensing small amounts of a viscous material onto a workpiece. The narrow-profile dispensing apparatus includes a fluid chamber, a nozzle, and a valve seat disk representing individual components that are removable from a main body of the dispensing apparatus for cleaning and/or replacement. The nozzle is coupled with the fluid chamber by a heat transfer body that may be cooled by, for example, a cooling fluid routed through an air pathway defined in the heat transfer body. The main body of the dispensing apparatus may be cooled by air exhausted from an air cavity of a pneumatic actuator regulating the movement of a needle to control the flow of viscous material in the dispensing apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2006Date of Patent: July 27, 2010Assignee: Nordson CorporationInventors: Erik Fiske, Horatio Quinones, Phil Maiorca, Alec Babiarz, Robert Ciardella
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Patent number: 7650757Abstract: A thermoelectric heat transfer system is provided. The thermoelectric heat transfer system comprises a coolant circuit with a pump circulating coolant through the circuit. A first heat exchanger is in fluid communication with the coolant circuit to remove heat from the coolant. At the same time, a second heat exchanger is in fluid communication with the coolant circuit. Thermoelectric modules (TEMs) are integrated into the second heat exchanger to create a temperature differential between fins and conduits of the second heat exchanger. The coolant flows through the conduits to draw heat from the TEMs, while a fan assembly conveys air through the fins into a climate-controlled area to cool the climate-controlled area to a desired temperature. In other embodiments, a sleeve acts as the second heat exchanger. The sleeve is adapted to receive and cool beverage containers and like items.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2005Date of Patent: January 26, 2010Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Mohinder Singh Bhatti
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Publication number: 20100005811Abstract: A chamber for receipt and retention of a bottled beverage has a dispensing cartridge that interacts with a bottle to remove air therein to preserve the beverage under vacuum and to dispense the beverage under pressure. The vacuum and air pressure within the bottle is applied through a concentric pair of tubes introduced into the bottle as a part of the dispensing cartridge. A reversible pump is in fluid communication with the tubes. The chamber is maintained at a user-selected temperature using a thermoelectric cooling unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 4, 2008Publication date: January 14, 2010Inventors: Danene Jaffe, Asoka Veeravagu, Patricia Bassett