Abstract: A sip cooling system for a personal drinking vessel or container including a block of thermally conductive material with a cooling chamber through which drinking liquid flows when the user draws liquid from a flexible tube connected to the chamber outlet. A flexible supply tube connected to the chamber inlet has the remote end immersed in the liquid in the drinking container. A solid state thermo electric cooling device is attached to the block for, upon energization from a battery, cools only the liquid passing through the chamber. In one embodiment, the cooling unit and battery are contained in a cap fitting over an opening in a personal drinking container. In another embodiment, the system is connected in line in a flexible drinking tube connected to a personally carried supply of drinking liquid.

Abstract: A beverage dispense font incorporating a portable cooling device is provided wherein the portable cooling device cools an outer housing of the dispense font in order to encourage ice formation on the dispense font. Unique visual effects can be obtained with ice formation on the outer housing of the dispense font, and the portable cooling device therefore enables independent cooling of the outer housing without redesign or modification of the existing glycol cooling system used to cool the dispensed beverage. The portable cooling device can be inherently small in size due to relatively minimal cooling capacity requirements for cooling just the outer housing of the dispense font. The dispense font and portable cooling device may be moved from location to location thereby greatly enhancing the capability to provide a frozen-appearing dispense font to many locations.

Abstract: Devices and methods are set forth for providing a product dispenser comprising a refrigerating cavity designed to receive the product to be distributed in order to cool it down before its expulsion for use by a consumer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a compact and short profile portable bottled beverage dispenser for gravitationally dispensing a liquid from an inverted standard sized bottle such as the 3- or 5-gallon bottles commonly used in the drinking water industry.

Abstract: A cooling sink is positioned within a cooling chamber having a 0.75-1.50 gallon capacity, for directly contacting pressurized beer therein, the cooling sink having a substantial surface portion in contact with the beer for enabling heat extracted from said beer to be rapidly conveyed to said cooling device. The cooling sink has a deep trench therein for reducing the mass of the cooling portion while increasing the surface area contacting the beer. A valve is employed at the top of the cooling chamber to allow the cooling reservoir to be completely filled with beer during periods of use, and any developing undesired foam can be removed from time to time by opening this valve. Also, the pickup tube attached to the dispensing tap picks up beer from the bottom of the cooling chamber, to minimize foam in the beer dispensed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus that manage electric power consumed by an appliance are disclosed. The appliance has an interior accessible by consumers through a door having an open state and a closed state. The appliance includes a cooling system having at least a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation for cooling the interior of the appliance. Power consumption is managed by monitoring the appliance to identify the open state of the door and transitioning the cooling system of the appliance from the first mode of operation to the second mode of operation responsive at least in part to identification of the open state of the door.

Abstract: A beverage cooler is provided having a container for holding a liquid beverage, a spigot extending from the container for dispensing the liquid beverage therefrom, preferably a telescopically extendable boom attached to a side of the container, a solar panel adjustably attached to an end of the telescopically extendable boom so that the solar panel may be repositioned about the end of the telescopically extendable boom so as to point the solar panel in a direction toward a source of solar energy, and one or more active elements in thermal contact with the container and the liquid beverage therein and electrically connected to the solar panel. Thermoelectric elements powered by the solar panel may be used to cool or heat the liquid beverage within the container.

Abstract: A water chilling system includes a reservoir having an inlet and an outlet and a cooling device, such as a thermoelectric cooling probe, situated to cool water contained in the reservoir. A baffle is situated adjacent the inlet to direct water entering the reservoir to a predetermined area of the reservoir such the warmer water entering the reservoir does not immediately mix with the chilled water near the cooling probe.

Abstract: A system for retaining and controlling the temperature of a beverage, suitable for installation in an automobile, includes a generally cylindrical, open-topped heat-conductive expandable cupholder, a heat-conductive liner, one or more thermoelectric devices located on a vertical exterior side of the cupholder, a heat sink contacting the thermoelectric device and thermally insulated from the cupholder; and a switch. The placement of the thermoelectric device and an improved arrangement for contact between the cupholder and the cup enable more efficient heat transfer.

Abstract: The temperature of a flowing material, such as coating and filling materials, is regulated by having it pass through a metal block that is cooled or heated by adjacent thermoelectric elements. A temperature regulator uses, as inputs, a desired material temperature (T—ref) as well as one or more of a set of temperature signals including temperature signals measured at the inlet and outlet to the block, and internally within a cooling arrangement adjacent to the block. The temperature of the material downstream from the regulator, that is, the temperature to be regulated, is either measured directly or is estimated as a function of the other measured and input signals.

Abstract: Water supplied from a bottle 1 is pre-chilled in a reservoir 3. A two-part water pump 11 transfers water under pressure through a jet nozzle 14 into an oxygen space 17 in a PET pressure vessel 12, which entrains oxygen into the water. The pressure vessel is received in a conductive holder 18 and is cooled by a peltier element 19 provided with cooling fins 20. The holder 18 forms a capacitive level sensor with a probe 32 inside the vessel, which starts the pump 11 when oxygenated water is drawn off via a draw tube 28 and discharge valve 31. When the water level in the oxygenating vessel is restored a solenoid valve 25 opens to restore the oxygen pressure in the vessel. For hygiene purposes the pumping body can be removed from the pump motor and replaced together with the reservoir 3 and oxygenating vessel 12 along with the associated tubing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a carbonated and non-carbonated water supplier for a beverage dispensing apparatus for a residential refrigerator. The beverage dispensing apparatus includes a drink supplier including a drink supply canister holder for holding a plurality of drink supply canisters, a plurality of valve actuators for causing the drink supply to be selectively released from the drink supply canisters, the water supplier for selectively supplying carbonated water and non-carbonated water for producing the beverages, a gas supplier for supplying CO2 gas to carbonate the carbonated water provided by the water supplier and for supplying CO2 gas or other gas for pressurizing the drink supply canisters to provide a consistent flow rate of the drink supply from the drink supply canisters and one or more beverage requesters for enabling users to request one of a plurality of beverages.

Abstract: The present invention is an appliance supply distribution and dispensing system and method for distributing appliance supplies to a home or business and which involves a computerized system which facilitates dispensing or using one or more supplies from an appliance. The computerized system monitors the supply level(s) and, when necessary, automatically orders and delivers additional supplies. In addition, the computerized system automatically detects dispensing, use or appliance problems and orders and arranges for repair service.

Abstract: The present invention provides a water cooler assembly including a receptacle to hold water to be cooled and from which water can be dispensed; a cover attached to said receptacle via a hinge, said cover including formations to receive and hold a water bottle, and further including an inlet passage through which water from said bottle can flow into said receptacle; said cover having mountings to receive a cooling assembly, said cooling assembly being mounted in said cover close and extending away from said cover. The present invention also provides a water cooler assembly including a receptacle to hold water to be cooled and from which water can be dispensed, means to receive and hold a water bottle, and further including an inlet passage through which water from said bottle can flow into said receptacle; a cooling means associated with said receptacle to cool said water, and a trough attached to said inlet, from which trough water can enter said receptacle to be cooled.

Abstract: A portable beverage container that has a body defining a receptacle therein for containing a generally cylindrical cup liner and liquid that can be set inside of the body of the container to hold liquids and the like. The body has a handle for easy grasping and also has a plurality of holes on the bottom perimeter that correspond to raised air passage channels formed between the outside of the generally cylindrical cup liner and the inner wall of the body for increased air flow around the generally cylindrical cup liner. The generally cylindrical cup liner has threads protruding from the top of the cylindrical cup liner to accommodate the inner threading of a top cover that can be twisted onto and off of the top of the cylindrical cup liner. There is a fitted snap-on bottom cap for the bottom of the body as well as a twist-on cap that can form a vacuum seal on the bottom of the body.

Abstract: A thermoelectric module (1) has a plurality of thermoelectric devices (2) integral with heat conducting surfaces (5, 5′) of fluid chambers (3, 3′). The thermoelectric devices (2) are operable to transfer heat to or from fluids in the chambers (3, 3′). A product, eg a beverage, flowing through one of the chambers (3, 3′) can be heated or cooled to achieve a desired product temperature by selective operation of the thermoelectric devices (2). The module (1) provides an integrated unit that avoids inefficient boundaries between the heat conducting surfaces (5, 5′) and the thermoelectric devices (2).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a refrigerated beverage dispenser, specifically designed for delivering fruit juicies, tea, mineral water, wine and the like, which comprises an inlet (1) for water or drink to be delivered, downstream of which is arranged a refrigerating device (2). On the delivering duct a pump (3) and a solenoid valve (4), controlled by a central processing unit (10), are applied. Moreover, a sanitizing auxiliary device (30), controlled by said central processing unit (10) is also provided.

Abstract: A beverage cooler is provided with an improved thermoelectric chiller unit for chilling a supply of water or other selected beverage within a cooler reservoir. The improved thermoelectric chiller unit includes a thermoelectric heat transfer module captured by a spring mount with substantially uniform pressure distribution between a chiller probe for chilling the water within the cooler reservoir, and a heat exchanger for dissipating heat drawn from the chilled water. The cooler reservoir has a faucet mounted thereon for on-demand dispensing of the water, and is mounted as a removable unit within a cooler housing with a bottom wall of the reservoir defining an inverted cup-shaped receptacle for close slide-fit reception of the chiller probe.

Abstract: A fluid cooling device for a beverage dispenser that includes: (a) a fluid accumulation vessel; and (b) a bank of thermoelectric devices provided on at least one external surface of the accumulation vessel and having cooling and heating surfaces, where the cooling surfaces are in thermal communication with the fluid accumulation vessel such that when power is supplied to the devices, the cooling surfaces decrease the thermal energy of the fluid within the accumulation vessel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a refrigerated beverage dispenser, specifically designed for delivering fruit juicies, tea, mineral water, wine and the like, which comprises an inlet (1) for water or drink to be delivered, downstream of which is arranged a refrigerating device (2). On the delivering duct a pump (3) and a solenoid valve (4), controlled by a central processing unit (10), are applied. Moreover, a sanitizing auxiliary device (30), controlled by said central processing unit (10) is also provided.

Abstract: A cooling and heating apparatus using a thermoelectric module, in which the thermoelectric module, a heat emitting member and a heat conducting block are integrated into a single unit, to improve the performance and durability of the thermoelectric module. The cooling and heating apparatus includes a thermoelectric module. The heat emitting member is attached to a first surface of the thermoelectric module. The heat conducting block is attached to a second surface of the thermoelectric module. The heat absorbing member is attached to the heat conducting block. A cover integrates the thermoelectric module and the heat conducting block into the single unit by fixedly covering side surfaces of the thermoelectric module and the heat conducting block and a part of an inner surface of the heat emitting member.

Abstract: Disclosed is an invention related to a warmer and cooler for a container that is programmably timed to engage a heating and/or cooling unit. The invention may be adapted for use with a baby bottle to facilitate nighttime feedings by programming when the unit should be turned on to heat the bottle or cool the bottle.

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

Abstract: Disclosed is an invention related to a warmer and cooler for a container that is programmably timed to engage a heating and/or cooling unit. The invention may be adapted for use with a baby bottle to facilitate nighttime feedings by programming when the unit should be turned on to heat the bottle or cool the bottle.

Abstract: Cooler for a beverage, e.g. beer, which enables dispense at low temperature with good appearance of the dispensed beverage, comprises an inlet and an outlet, at least one heat exchanger (10, 30, 32) between the inlet and the outlet through which the beverage can be passed to cool it and at least one Peltier plate assembly (12, 14, 42) connected to a voltage supply whereby a cold side and a hot side may be generated at the assembly, characterised in that the assembly (12, 14) is positioned whereby the beverage can also be cooled by passage past the cold side of the assembly (12, 14) on its passage to the outlet or whereby the coolant after passage through the heat exchanger (32) is cooled by passage past the cold side of the assembly (42) before being recirculated to the heat exchanger (32).

Abstract: A device for cooling and tapping of beverages that are delivered in containers. It integrates a cooling unit to an insulated casing. Inside the casing a cooling volume is formed, that is closed by a bonnet. The cooling volume is formed as a tub. Beverage containers are inserted into this tub. The casing is swivel-mounted on a stand and is equipped with a tapping unit.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing localized heat transfer to or from a beverage includes a beverage container for containing the beverage; a dispenser, for dispensing the beverage; a delivery apparatus, disposed between the beverage container and the dispenser, for continuously delivering the beverage from the beverage container to the dispenser; at least one heating/cooling unit including at least one Peltier junction, operationally coupled to the dispenser, for heating/cooling the beverage in the proximity of the dispenser; a heat-transfer agent, coupled to the at least one heating/cooling unit, for transferring heat from the at least one heating/cooling unit; a venting device, operationally coupled to the heat-transfer agent, for venting the transferred heat; and a power supply device, operationally coupled to the heating/cooling unit, for supplying power to the at least one Peltier junction.

Abstract: A water storing apparatus (10) suitable for outdoor and indoor installation, and adapted to maintain drinking water within a predetermined range of temperature. The apparatus has a water tank (12) containing the drinking water with a temperature sensor (24) for sensing the water's temperature. The temperature of the drinking water can be changed by either a heater or a cooler, which are both in contact with a heat conductive member (30) itself in thermal contact with the water tank (12). In this manner, the water temperature can either be increased or decreased as needed to be maintained within an appropriate predetermined range.

Abstract: A refrigerated container dispenser for positioning below the passenger seat of a tractor trailer cab provides easy accessibility and convenience for the driver. The method of use provides manual activation of a lever whereby a refrigerated drink container is presented to the driver, preventing the necessity of stopping or diverting the driver's attention from the road. The preferred form of the container dispenser is mounted below the passenger seat and is affixed to the floor of the cab, within easy reach of the driver.

Abstract: A juice dispensing apparatus particularly designed for dispensing a “not from concentrate juice” packaged in a bag in a box format, the apparatus having a compartment in which the bag in a box is mounted, a thermoelectric device for cooling the compartment and a piezoelectric device for agitating the juice in the bag to thereby maintain the juice in a suspension. The apparatus requires minimal maintenance while permitting the dispensing of fruit juices or vegetable juices which are not reconstituted from a concentrate.

Abstract: A device for cooling and tapping of beverages that are delivered in containers. It integrates a cooling unit to an insulated casing. Inside the casing a cooling volume is formed, that is closed by a bonnet. The cooling volume is formed as a tub. Beverage containers are inserted into this tub. The casing is swivel-mounted on a stand and is equipped with a tapping unit.

Abstract: A device is provided for the thermal control of liquids, such as, in particular beverages, contained in vessels, comprising a housing with an insert for the vessels and a cooling element, the insert having a perforated holding plate with an orifice for the vessels, said holding plate resting on a housing projection of the device. Arranged on the holding plate are at least three wire staples which are spaced apart from one another and extend to the bottom of the device, the wire staples being assembled together on the foot side by webs, and the wire staples being surrounded by a foil sock resting loosely against these. The housing is capable of being filled with a cooling medium, and there is arranged as cooling element in a recess of the wall of the housing a Peltier element which has a heat transmission surface and a countersurface, the heat transmission surface being washed around by the medium and the countersurface being ventilated.

Abstract: A single ended filly encapsulated water cooling cartridge for thermoelectrically cooling fluids has a vertically mounted cylindrical water flow pipe with a plurality of flat sides and acting as a cold plate communicating with an inlet of the water cooling cartridge, a like plurality of heat sinks circumferentiary positioned around the water flow pipe with longitudinal fins extending radially outwardly from each heat sink, a cylindrical shell enveloping the heat sinks and the water flow pipe and forming an annulus air passageway therein, an axial forced air fan mounted on the top of the water cooling cartridge to induce air flow along the heat sinks, thermoelectric elements acting as heat pumps positioned between the heat sink and the water flow pipe, and a temperature control thermostat.

Abstract: A beverage dispense system is designed to dispense a beverage, e.g. from a bulk supply, by chilling the beverage to a temperature close to its freezing point. The beverage dispense system includes a beverage recirculation loop and a water recirculation loop, two chillers (10, 24), both loops passing through both chillers, and a dispense valve (26) located in the beverage recirculation loop, a first of the chillers (10) cooling both the beverage and the water and a second of the chillers (24) comprising a thermo-electric device and being located between the first chiller (10) and the dispense valve (26) for further cooling of the beverage to be dispensed whilst removing heat from the device (24) using the water in the water recirculation loop.

Abstract: A soda drink selling machine having a compact purified-water generating unit can be installed at places where purified water suiting for producing soda drinks is not available, comprises a purified-water generating unit, a carbonated water generating unit, a soda drink producing-dispensing unit, and a control system controlling each device in the soda drink selling machine so as to be operated in order or simultaneously at need, wherein the purified-water generating unit comprises a control system for controlling operations in ice maker including a heat transfer surface on heat absorbing side or releasing side of a coolant compression-evaporation type or an electronic heat pump, and in constant temperature purified-water tank, and operations of ice-crystal formation and melting processes in the ice maker.

Abstract: A dispener comprising a liquid supply and a cooling reservoir, the cooling reservoir having an entry port and an exit port. The cooling reservoir is shaped so as to position a pocket of air at the top of the reservoir when the reservoir contains liquid, and the entry port communicates with the air pocket. The dispenser has a conduit connected on one end to the liquid supply and on the other end to the entry port of the cooling reservoir. The dispenser further comprises a cooling element disposed inside the cooling reservoir and a first pump for moving the liquid from the liquid supply to the cooling reservoir through the conduit.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a self-dispensing cooler comprising a) a cabinet defined by a plurality of opposing walls and a top and a bottom; b) a filling means for adding items to said cabinet located near the top of one of said walls; c) a dispensing means positioned vertically distal from said filling means on one of said walls; and d) a cooling means positioned at least partially inside said cabinet wherein said cooling means defines an inclined channel connecting said filling means to said dispensing means. The self-dispensing cooler is preferably portable.

Abstract: A water cooler having a container with a reservoir for storing water has a thermoelectric module operable to cool a conductor plate and form ice in the reservoir. A temperature sensor connected to the plate senses the temperature of the plate and activates a timer when the temperature is below the temperature at which water freezes. The timer operates a selected period of time to allow a block of ice to be formed on the plate. A photoelectric sensor operable to sense a selected size of the block of ice functions to actuate a switching device that changes the polarity of the electric power supplied to the thermoelectric module to supply heat energy to the plate to release the block of ice from the plate. The released block of ice floats in the water in the reservoir and cools the water.