Beverage cooling device

Abstract

A beverage cooling device for rapidly cooling a beverage within a container includes a housing having a number of walls defining an interior volume. The cooling bin is arranged in the inner volume of the shell, and the beverage chamber is arranged close to the water storage device; the beverage chamber has a rectangular outline formed by a bottom wall, a top wall and a plurality of side walls; the water storage device comprises a top opening and a plurality of walls, and the top opening is partially suitable for containing the bottom wall of the beverage chamber; the driving assembly is meshed with the rotating mechanism to rotate the beverage container; the cooling water is pumped from the water storage device to the cooling water outlet, so that the cooling water flows to the beverage container in the rotating process; the refrigeration system maintains the temperature of the cooling fluid in the water reservoir in the range of 0 DEG C to 3 DEG C.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a beverage cooling device for cooling a beverage in a beverage container, and a method for cooling a beverage in a beverage container. In particular, the method and device can be used to quickly cool a beverage container and its contents from approximately room temperature to a temperature in the range of 3°C to 7°C, thereby allowing the cold beverage to be consumed. Background Art

[0002] It should be noted that reference to prior art herein should not be regarded as an admission that such prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in the field.

[0003] The most common method for cooling beverage containers is using a commercial or domestic refrigerator or freezer. The beverage container is placed inside the freezer, where the air inside is cooled, thereby cooling the beverage. Conventional refrigeration provides a relatively slow and ineffective cooling method, requiring hours to cool a room-temperature beverage to the desired cold drink temperature while consuming significant amounts of electrical energy. This is particularly disadvantageous on hot summer days, at parties, or at points of sale, where the desire for a cold beverage is almost immediate. Any delay in cooling the beverage is undesirable. Consequently, regardless of the event, cold drinks are desirable and require instant cooling.

[0004] Over time, various equipment and processes have been developed for producing instant cold beverages. These devices and processes more quickly reduce the temperature of beverages to the desired cold drink temperature. The simplest method involves placing ice in the beverage. While this process provides very rapid cooling and "ice-cold" temperatures, the problem is that the ice dilutes the beverage's flavor, introduces impurities, and can cause carbonated beverages to decarbonate prematurely.

[0005] It is well known that an effective method for cooling beverages in beverage containers is to immerse the container in a certain amount of cold water or other liquid. Various attempts have been made to utilize this principle to implement a device for cooling beverages in beverage containers. Australian patent application 30419 / 92, entitled "Beverage Refrigeration or Cooling Device," describes a device for refrigerating or cooling beverage containers and their contents. The device comprises a chamber and a grid, wherein the chamber contains a low-freezing-point liquid, such as a saline solution, and the container is supported in an upright position on the grid, thereby allowing easy access. The cooling coil of the refrigeration device is located below the grid, and the coolant circulates above the beverage container. A problem with this device is that the beverage container and its contents remain stationary within the device. The stationary beverage contents result in uneven cooling of the beverage within the container, where the contents closest to the outside of the beverage container may freeze before the innermost contents have cooled to the desired temperature.

[0006] Devices have been developed for rotating beverage containers within cooling equipment. Most rotate the beverage container in an upright position, with a cooling liquid circulated above the beverage container. This cooling liquid is described as being supplied to a chamber at a temperature of -10°C or lower. As the container rotates, the liquid within the beverage container forms a vortex, which promotes cooling of the beverage. A disadvantage of these devices is that the product inside the container may freeze, and if the container remains in the cooling liquid for too long, it may crack or even explode. This can contaminate the liquid and leave broken glass inside the machine.

[0007] Another disadvantage associated with equipment designed for use with sub-0°C coolants is operator safety. For example, if an operator or child comes into contact with the liquid within the equipment, they could easily suffer frostbite on their skin or muscles if their hands or arms are immersed in the liquid. The most commonly used cooling solutions in known instant machines are salt water mixtures. These solutions can increase in salt content due to evaporation or become diluted due to condensation. Dilution can lead to ice formation and damage to the equipment. Salt solutions can also leave residue on the outside of beverage containers. For example, they can make glass or plastic containers appear cloudy and dirty. This can also result in an unpleasant taste when consumed directly from the container.

[0008] Another disadvantage of these known machines is the need for clamps or other releasable securing devices to successfully hold the beverage container in an upright position for rotation. This results in the use of mechanical components that require maintenance, particularly given the potential for corrosion when using saline solutions. This complexity can be further exacerbated when the rotating device is required to provide pulsed or discontinuous rotation to create a vortex within the beverage container.

[0009] Other known cooling devices operate on the basic principle of heat transfer. The most common involve cooling with ice or an ice-water mixture. Since the temperature of the ice can be much lower than the desired drinking temperature, it facilitates and accelerates heat exchange and cooling of the beverage. The disadvantage of using ice as a direct cooling medium can be problematic, particularly when cooling carbonated beverages. The cooling needs to be carefully monitored to avoid freezing of the beverage. In most cases, the temperature of the ice is rarely at 0°C and can be much lower, so if the temperature of the ice is low enough, the beverage in the container may freeze, especially if the cooling time is extended. This problem is further exacerbated by the fact that most (if not all) beverage containers are closed, making it difficult to monitor the temperature and phase of the beverage during the cooling process. In these cases, if the cooling is excessive, partially frozen carbonated beverage can spray out when the container is opened.

[0010] Another disadvantage of ice cooling devices is that as the ice melts, it needs to be replenished to obtain the desired refrigeration or cooling of the beverage container. Therefore, such machines cannot be operated continuously and repeatedly for a long time.

[0011] Clearly, it would be advantageous to design a beverage cooler for cooling beverages in beverage containers that helps to alleviate at least some of the above-mentioned disadvantages. In particular, it would be beneficial to provide a beverage cooler that can quickly and effectively reduce the temperature of a room temperature beverage to a desired cold beverage temperature, or at least provide the public with a practical alternative. Summary of the Invention

[0012] A first aspect of the present invention provides a beverage cooling device for quickly cooling beverages in beverage containers. The beverage cooling device comprises: a shell having a plurality of walls defining an internal volume; a cooling bin arranged in the internal volume of the shell, the cooling bin comprising: a beverage chamber adapted to accommodate at least one beverage container, the beverage chamber being formed of a bottom wall, a top wall and a plurality of side walls extending between the bottom wall and the top wall to form a rectangular outline; a water reservoir arranged adjacent to the beverage chamber, the water reservoir being formed of a plurality of walls having a top opening portion, the top portion being adapted to accommodate the bottom wall of the beverage chamber therein; an insulating material applied to the inner or outer surface of the beverage chamber and the water reservoir or between the inner and outer surfaces thereof, the insulating material thermally isolating the beverage chamber and the water reservoir from the internal volume of the shell; a rotating mechanism roughly arranged in the beverage chamber and used to rotate at least one beverage container thereon, The rotating mechanism has a first longitudinal axis, which extends through the beverage chamber and is arranged parallel to a second longitudinal axis passing through at least one beverage container when the beverage container is located on the rotating mechanism; a cooling fluid pump is located in the water reservoir and is connected to at least one cooling fluid outlet, and the at least one cooling fluid outlet is arranged in the beverage chamber to disperse the cooling fluid to the at least one beverage container when the at least one beverage container rotates; a drainage channel, which connects the interior of the beverage chamber to the water reservoir, and the drainage channel allows the cooling fluid in the beverage chamber to be directly discharged back to the water reservoir; a drive assembly, which is operably engaged with the rotating mechanism in the beverage chamber and drives the rotating mechanism; a refrigeration system, which is configured to maintain the temperature of the cooling fluid in the water reservoir in the range of 0°C to 3°C.

[0013] Preferably, the beverage chamber may further include at least one beverage drawer, the beverage drawer being capable of being pulled out of the beverage chamber to the exterior of the housing, the at least one beverage drawer having a base and four side walls, the four side walls extending upward from the base to form a top-opening container body for accommodating the at least one beverage container therein. The at least one beverage drawer may have a door, the door being located on one of the side walls, the door being adapted to close and seal an opening in one of the walls of the housing when the at least one beverage drawer is in a storage position within the beverage chamber.

[0014] Preferably, at least one of the beverage drawers may further include a moving mechanism that mounts the at least one beverage drawer between two opposing side walls of the beverage chamber, and guides the at least one beverage drawer to and from the beverage chamber of the housing. The moving mechanism may be a sliding mechanism having fixed rails attached to two opposing side walls of the beverage chamber and movable rails attached to two opposing side walls of the beverage drawer.

[0015] Preferably, the top wall of the beverage chamber is removable relative to some of the side walls to provide an opening into the interior volume of the beverage chamber.

[0016] Preferably, at least one opening is provided on the bottom wall of the beverage chamber separating the beverage chamber and the water reservoir, and the opening is aligned with at least one opening in the beverage drawer base to form a drainage channel for allowing the cooling fluid to drain directly from the beverage chamber back to the water reservoir.

[0017] Preferably, the beverage cooling device may further include a user-operable access mechanism, the user-operable access mechanism being engaged with the at least one beverage drawer, the access mechanism being configured to allow access to the at least one beverage drawer. The user-operable access mechanism may be an opening mechanism for at least partially moving the at least one beverage drawer out of the beverage chamber to provide access to the beverage drawer container.

[0018] Preferably, the opening mechanism includes: an actuator installed through the rear wall of the beverage chamber; an actuator drive motor installed outside the beverage chamber; wherein, when the actuator drive motor extends the actuator, the end of the actuator contacts the surface of one of the four side walls of at least one beverage drawer to at least partially move the at least one beverage drawer out of the beverage chamber.

[0019] Preferably, the drive assembly includes: a drive motor placed within the internal volume of the shell and located outside the beverage chamber; a transmission assembly installed within the beverage chamber and located outside a side wall of at least one beverage drawer, the transmission assembly being connected to a rotating mechanism in at least one beverage drawer; a drive shaft having a first end connected to the drive motor and a second end detachably connected to the transmission assembly in the beverage chamber, the drive shaft extending through an opening in the beverage chamber.

[0020] Preferably, the swivel mechanism may comprise a pair of spaced-apart shafts mounted within the container body of the at least one beverage drawer, each shaft extending along and parallel to a first longitudinal axis and having a first end spaced apart from a second end, each shaft being rotatably mounted between two opposing side walls of the at least one beverage drawer.

[0021] Preferably, the first end of each shaft is capable of extending through an opening in one of the two opposing side walls of the at least one beverage drawer, the first end of each shaft is capable of terminating outside the at least one beverage drawer within the transmission assembly, and the second end of each shaft can be supported so as to be able to rotate on the other of the two opposing side walls of the at least one beverage drawer.

[0022] Preferably, the transmission assembly includes a pair of drive gears or pulleys rotatably mounted on the first end of each shaft, the drive gears or pulleys being connected by a drive belt so as to rotate the shaft of the rotating mechanism in the same direction. One of the pair of drive gears or pulleys may have an internal gear that meshes with a drive gear on the second end of the drive shaft of the drive assembly. When the at least one beverage drawer slides into and out of the beverage compartment, the drive gear may engage or disengage with the internal gear of one of the pair of drive gears of the transmission assembly.

[0023] Preferably, each shaft is wrapped with a sleeve of resiliently flexible material which enhances frictional engagement with at least one beverage container and prevents damage to labels on the beverage container.

[0024] Preferably, the driving motor may be an electric motor, and the electric motor may be a direct current motor.

[0025] Preferably, a limit switch can monitor the position of the at least one beverage drawer, and when the at least one beverage drawer is removed from the beverage compartment, contacts of the limit switch can be disconnected, and the limit switch can stop the drive motor of the drive assembly and the operation of the beverage cooling device. The limit switch can be mounted on the rear wall of the beverage compartment, and a trigger rod can be attached to one of the four side walls of the at least one beverage drawer, the trigger rod extending through an opening in the rear wall of the beverage compartment to contact the limit switch.

[0026] Preferably, the at least one cooling fluid outlet may be a nozzle located in the beverage chamber to distribute the cooling fluid onto the at least one beverage container when the at least one beverage container is rotated.

[0027] Preferably, the refrigeration system includes: a compressor and a condenser mounted within the housing and external to the cooling chamber; and an evaporator coil in fluid communication with the condenser and operatively engaged with the water reservoir for cooling fluid in the water reservoir. The evaporator coil is located within the water reservoir and in contact with the fluid in the water reservoir.

[0028] Preferably, a circulation pump is in fluid communication with the water reservoir to circulate the fluid in the water reservoir. Alternatively, the circulation pump may also be installed in the water reservoir.

[0029] Alternatively, the refrigeration system includes a compressor and a condenser mounted within the housing and located outside the cooling chamber, a heat exchanger located near the compressor and the condenser, and a circulation pump located within the water reservoir. The circulation pump circulates the fluid through the heat exchanger located outside the water reservoir and returns the cooling fluid to the water reservoir.

[0030] Alternatively, the refrigeration system may include: a compressor and a condenser mounted within the housing and external to the cooling chamber, an evaporator coil operatively engaged with the water reservoir for cooling liquid in the water reservoir, a heat exchanger located external to the water reservoir, and a circulation pump located within the water reservoir; and wherein the circulation pump circulates fluid from the water reservoir through the heat exchanger and returns the cooled fluid to the water reservoir.

[0031] Alternatively, the housing of the beverage cooling device may be two housings. The two housings may include a first indoor housing and a second outdoor housing.

[0032] Preferably, the beverage chamber and the water reservoir of the cooling bin may be mounted within the first indoor housing.

[0033] Preferably, the compressor, the condenser, and a heat exchanger located near the compressor and the condenser may be installed in the second outdoor casing.

[0034] Preferably, the second outdoor housing can be in fluid communication with the water reservoir within the first indoor housing.

[0035] Preferably, a flow switch can be connected to the inlet pipeline between the circulation pump in the water reservoir of the first indoor housing and the inlet of the heat exchanger in the second outdoor housing; when there is no fluid flowing in the inlet pipeline, the flow switch can isolate the compressor.

[0036] Preferably, the cooling fluid is water.

[0037] Preferably, the first water sterilizer is located in the water reservoir and the second water sterilizer is located in the beverage compartment, the first and second water sterilizers may be adapted to provide clean and effective water purification in the water reservoir and the beverage compartment. The first and second water sterilizers may be UV LED sterilizers.

[0038] Preferably, the beverage cooling device may further include a main controller located within the housing or the interior volume of the first indoor housing for controlling the operation of the beverage cooling device. The main controller may be in electrical communication with the compressor controller and at least one power source, both of which are located within any of the interior volume of the housing, the first indoor housing, or the second outdoor housing.

[0039] Preferably, at least one power source may be a DC power source.

[0040] Preferably, the main controller may be a programmable controller, which is operatively engaged with at least the drive assembly and the cooling water pump. The main controller may be configured to enable the operation of the beverage cooling device to be programmable and automated.

[0041] Preferably, the main controller may also include a user interface mounted on one of the walls of the shell or the first indoor shell, wherein the user interface enables a user to input any one or more of the following: i. the size or volume of at least one beverage container in the beverage chamber; or ii. a cooling parameter related to the degree to which the beverage in the beverage chamber is to be cooled.

[0042] Preferably, once the size or volume of the beverage container or the cooling parameters are input into the user interface, the main controller can calculate the time required to quickly cool the beverage in the beverage container to a temperature below about 7° C. so that the cold beverage can be consumed.

[0043] Preferably, the user interface may further include an LED display screen, at least one display light and / or a buzzer.

[0044] Preferably, the beverage cooling device may further include a temperature sensor located within the water reservoir for monitoring the temperature of the cooling fluid. The temperature sensor may be electrically connected to a compressor controller, and the temperature sensor turns the compressor on and off to maintain the temperature of the cooling fluid in the water reservoir within a range of 0°C to 3°C. Alternatively, the temperature sensor may be a thermostat.

[0045] Preferably, the beverage cooling device may further comprise a liquid level sensor located in the water reservoir, wherein the liquid level sensor may provide a liquid level indication on the user interface. The liquid level sensor may be electrically connected to the main controller.

[0046] Preferably, the beverage cooling device may further include a drain pump in the water reservoir and a drain pump actuation switch on the user interface, wherein the drain pump enables the user to drain the fluid from the water reservoir.

[0047] Preferably, the refrigeration system, drive mechanism, cooling water pump, user operable access mechanism and drain pump can be powered by a DC power supply.

[0048] Preferably, the beverage cooling device can be installed in a residence. When installed in a residence, a mains connection can be provided to power the beverage cooling device, and the beverage cooling device can further include an AC / DC converter. When a mains connection is provided to power the second outdoor housing, an AC / DC converter can be provided in the second outdoor housing to convert the mains power to DC power, thereby powering the at least one DC power source.

[0049] Preferably, the beverage cooling device can be connected to a water supply line for filling the water reservoir in the housing or the first indoor housing. A solenoid valve can be installed in the water supply line, which can prevent water from flowing into the water reservoir during the cooling cycle of the beverage cooling device.

[0050] Preferably, a float valve is provided in the water reservoir and connected to the water supply line, and the float valve can automatically control the water level in the water reservoir.

[0051] Preferably, the water reservoir of the beverage cooling device may further include an overflow drain pipe, which may be placed toward a top portion of the water reservoir to drain excess fluid from the water reservoir.

[0052] Preferably, the drain pump and overflow drain pipe may be connected to a kitchen waste pipe or any other pipe that carries or stores waste water from the sewer drainage system.

[0053] Preferably, the beverage cooling device may further comprise a top wall of a removable beverage chamber, and one of the walls of the housing may comprise a hinged door that is openable to enable placement and removal of at least one beverage container in the beverage chamber.

[0054] Preferably, the beverage cooling device can be converted into a standalone or portable device that can be placed on a countertop or other flat surface. When installed as a standalone or portable device, a mains connection can be provided to power the beverage cooling device, and the beverage cooling device can also include an AC / DC converter.

[0055] Alternatively, when installed as a standalone or portable unit, the beverage cooling device may be powered by a DC power source.

[0056] Preferably, the beverage cooling device, which is either freestanding or portable, can be used in indoor environments, outdoor environments, or within a recreational vehicle. When installed outdoors or within a recreational vehicle, the DC power source can be a battery or renewable energy source. The drain pump and overflow drain can be connected to a water storage tank or the vehicle's grey water storage system.

[0057] Preferably, the walls of the beverage chamber, the water reservoir and the at least one beverage drawer can be made of a plastic material by a molding process. The plastic material can be polyethylene or high-density polyethylene (HDPE), and the molding process can be a rotational molding process.

[0058] Alternatively, the walls of the at least one beverage drawer may be made of food grade stainless steel.

[0059] Preferably, the walls of the housing, the first indoor housing and the second outdoor housing are made of any one of galvanized steel, powder coated steel, painted steel, stainless steel, food grade stainless steel or plastic material such as HDPE.

[0060] A second aspect of the present invention provides a method for quickly cooling a beverage, comprising the following steps: i. providing a beverage cooling device according to the first aspect; ii. maintaining the water temperature in the water reservoir between 0°C and 3°C; iii. utilizing a rotating mechanism to rotate at least one beverage container at a predetermined time; and iv. pumping cooling water from the water reservoir to at least one cooling water outlet so that the cooling water impacts the rotating beverage container or each rotating beverage container at a predetermined time.

[0061] Preferably, the method further comprises the step of draining water from the at least one beverage drawer back into the water reservoir.

[0062] Preferably, the step of maintaining the water temperature in the water reservoir at 0° C. to 3° C. includes the step of circulating the water in the water reservoir using a circulation pump placed in the water reservoir.

[0063] Preferably, the method may further comprise the step of sterilizing the water in the water reservoir and the at least one beverage drawer.

[0064] Another aspect of the present invention provides a beverage cooling device for quickly cooling beverages in a container. The beverage cooling device includes: a shell having a plurality of walls defining an internal volume; a cooling bin disposed within the internal volume of the shell, the cooling bin including: a beverage chamber forming a rectangular outline formed by a bottom wall, a top wall, and a plurality of side walls; a water reservoir formed by a plurality of walls having a top opening portion, the top opening portion being used to accommodate the bottom wall of the beverage chamber therein; at least one beverage drawer capable of being pulled out from the beverage chamber to the outside of the shell, at least one beverage drawer having a base having four side walls extending upward from the base to form a top-opening container body; at least one beverage container having a container extending through the at least one a longitudinal axis of the beverage container; a rotating mechanism, which is roughly arranged in the at least one beverage drawer and extends along the longitudinal axis and is suitable for rotating the at least one beverage container thereon, when the beverage container is arranged on the rotating mechanism, the longitudinal axis of the rotating mechanism is arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis passing through the at least one beverage container; and a cooling fluid pump in the water reservoir is connected to the at least one cooling fluid outlet in the beverage chamber to distribute the cooling fluid to the at least one beverage container when the at least one beverage container is rotated; a drive assembly, which is operatively engaged with the rotating mechanism in the beverage drawer of the beverage chamber and drives the rotating mechanism; a refrigeration system, which is configured to maintain the temperature of the cooling fluid in the water reservoir in the range of 0°C to 3°C.

[0065] Preferably, the cooling bin may further comprise an insulating material applied to the inner or outer surfaces of the beverage chamber and the water reservoir or between the inner and outer surfaces thereof, the insulating material thermally isolating the beverage chamber and the water reservoir from the interior volume of the housing.

[0066] Preferably, a drainage channel may internally connect the beverage chamber with the water reservoir, said drainage channel enabling the cooling fluid in the beverage chamber to drain directly back into the water reservoir.

[0067] Preferably, the beverage cooling device may further comprise any one or more of the features of the first aspect.

[0068] Another aspect of the present invention provides a beverage cooling device for quickly cooling beverages in a container. The beverage cooling device includes: a first indoor shell having several walls defining an internal volume; a second outdoor shell having several walls defining an internal volume; a cooling bin arranged in the internal volume of the first indoor shell; the cooling bin includes: a beverage chamber forming a rectangular outline formed by a bottom wall, a top wall and several side walls; a water reservoir formed by several walls having a top opening portion, the top opening portion being suitable for accommodating the bottom wall of the beverage chamber therein; at least one beverage drawer capable of being pulled out from the beverage chamber to the outside of the first indoor shell, at least one of the beverage drawers having a base having four side walls extending upward from the base to form a top-opening container body; at least one beverage container having a bottom wall extending through to a longitudinal axis of at least one of the beverage containers; a rotating mechanism disposed in the at least one beverage drawer and extending along the longitudinal axis and configured to rotate the at least one beverage container thereon; when the beverage container is on the rotating mechanism, the longitudinal axis of the rotating mechanism is parallel to the longitudinal axis passing through the at least one beverage container; and a cooling fluid pump in the water reservoir is connected to the at least one cooling fluid outlet in the beverage chamber to distribute the cooling fluid to the at least one beverage container when the at least one beverage container is rotated; a drive assembly operatively engaged with the rotating mechanism in the beverage drawer of the beverage chamber and drives the rotating mechanism; and a refrigeration system disposed in the second outdoor housing to maintain the temperature of the cooling fluid in the water reservoir within a range of 0°C to 3°C.

[0069] Preferably, the compressor, condenser and heat exchanger of the refrigeration system are located in the second outdoor casing.

[0070] Preferably, the second outdoor housing is in fluid communication with the water reservoir within the first indoor housing.

[0071] Preferably, the flow switch can be connected to the inlet pipeline between the circulation pump in the water reservoir of the first indoor housing and the inlet of the heat exchanger in the second outdoor housing, and when there is no fluid flowing in the inlet pipeline, the flow switch can isolate the compressor.

[0072] Preferably, the beverage cooling device may further include any one or more of the features of the first aspect.

[0073] Any one or more of the above embodiments or preferred features may be combined with any one or more of the above aspects. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0074] The present invention will be more fully understood through the detailed description given below and the accompanying drawings of preferred embodiments of the present invention. However, these should not be considered as limiting the present invention, but are only used to explain and understand the present invention.

[0075] Figure 1 A schematic diagram showing a first embodiment of a beverage cooling device for cooling a beverage in a beverage container according to the present invention is shown;

[0076] Figure 2 Installed in residential kitchens Figure 1 Schematic diagram of a beverage cooling device;

[0077] Figure 3 Shown Figure 1 A perspective view of a beverage cooling device;

[0078] Figure 4 Shown Figure 1 A front view of a beverage cooling device;

[0079] Figure 5 Shown Figure 1 A top view of the beverage cooling device, wherein the drawer is in an open position;

[0080] Figure 6 Shown Figure 1 A top view of one example of a drawer assembly of the beverage cooling device is shown;

[0081] Figure 7 Shown Figure 6 a bottom view of the drawer assembly;

[0082] Figure 8 Shown Figure 6 A first end view of the drawer assembly;

[0083] Figure 9 Shown along Figure 6 A cross-sectional view of the drawer assembly taken along line AA;

[0084] 10A to 10C show the Figure 6 a cross-sectional view of the drawer assembly taken along line AA, wherein the drawer assembly has three different beverage container options;

[0085] Figure 11 It shows that the use of Figure 1 A flow chart of a method for cooling a beverage in a beverage container by the apparatus shown;

[0086] Figure 12 Shown Figure 1 The control system of the beverage cooling device shown;

[0087] Figure 13 and Figure 14 A second embodiment of a beverage cooling device for cooling a beverage in a beverage container according to the present invention is shown;

[0088] Figure 15 A schematic diagram showing a third embodiment of a beverage cooling device for cooling a beverage in a beverage container according to the present invention is shown;

[0089] Figure 16 Installed in residential kitchens Figure 15 A schematic diagram of a beverage cooling device; and

[0090] Figure 17 Shown Figure 15 Control system for beverage cooling device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0091] The following description is given by way of example only in order to provide a more accurate understanding of the subject matter of the preferred embodiments.

[0092] It should also be understood that the specific devices and methods shown in the drawings and described in the following specification are merely exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Accordingly, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics associated with the embodiments disclosed herein should not be considered limiting unless the claims expressly state otherwise. Furthermore, unless otherwise stated, it should be understood that a discussion of a particular feature or component extending in a given direction does not imply that the feature or component extends along a straight line or axis in that direction, or extends only in that direction or plane without components or deviations in other directions, unless expressly stated otherwise.

[0093] Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, in which the various elements of the embodiments will be numbered, and the embodiments will be discussed therein to enable those skilled in the art to make and use the present invention. It is further noted that the drawings are schematic, intended to provide guidance to those skilled in the art, and are not necessarily drawn to scale. Rather, the various drawing scales, aspect ratios, and numbers of components shown in the drawings may be intentionally distorted to make certain features or relationships easier to understand. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques have been omitted so as not to unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein.

[0094] In the following description, it should be noted that similar or identical reference numerals in different embodiments denote the same or similar features.

[0095] In its broadest form, the present invention provides a beverage cooling device 20 for rapidly cooling a beverage within a container 15. The beverage cooling device includes a housing 21 having a plurality of walls 22, 23, and 24. A bottom wall 22, a top wall 23, and four side walls 24 connecting the top wall 23 and the bottom wall 22 define an interior volume 25 of the housing 21. A cooling chamber 30 is disposed within the interior volume 25 of the housing 21. The cooling chamber 30 is comprised of a beverage chamber 31 in fluid communication with a water reservoir 70, the beverage chamber 31 being adapted to receive at least one beverage container 15 therein. The beverage chamber 31 is formed of a generally rectangular profile having a bottom wall 32, a top wall, and a plurality of side walls extending between the bottom wall 32 and the top wall. The water reservoir 70 is located adjacent to the beverage chamber 31 and is comprised of a plurality of walls having an open top portion adapted to receive the bottom wall 32 of the beverage chamber 31. The inner or outer surfaces of the beverage chamber 31 and the water reservoir 70 , or between the inner and outer surfaces, have insulating material applied thereto, which thermally isolates the beverage chamber 31 and the water reservoir 70 from the interior volume 25 of the housing 21 .

[0096] A rotation mechanism 50 having a first longitudinal axis is disposed in the beverage chamber 31 and is adapted to rotate the at least one beverage container 15 about a second, parallel longitudinal axis of the beverage container 15 when the beverage container 15 is positioned on the rotation mechanism 50. A cooling fluid pump 75 is disposed within the water reservoir 70 and has at least one cooling fluid outlet 76 disposed relative to the beverage chamber 31. During rotation of the cooling fluid pump 75, the cooling fluid from the water reservoir 70 is pumped into the beverage chamber 31 and onto the at least one beverage container 15. Drain channels 33, 39A internally connect the beverage chamber 31 and the water reservoir 70, allowing the cooling fluid to drain directly back into the water reservoir 70.

[0097] The drive assemblies 53, 56 are operatively engaged with and drive the rotating mechanism 50 in the beverage chamber 31. The refrigeration system 80 is configured to maintain the temperature of the cooling fluid in the water reservoir 70 within the range of 0°C to 3°C.

[0098] exist Figures 1 to 5 1 , reference numeral 20 generally designates a first embodiment of a beverage cooling device according to the present invention for cooling a beverage in a beverage container 15. The beverage cooling device 20 is configured to cool a beverage in a beverage container 15, such as a can or bottle. The fluid used to cool the beverage in the beverage cooling device 20 is water.

[0099] The beverage cooling device 20 includes a housing 21 which is considered to have a generally rectangular configuration. Figures 1 to 5The housing 21 shown can be thought of as having two opposing longer side walls (or primary sides) 24 and two opposing shorter side walls (or secondary sides) 24. Each side wall 24 extends between a bottom 22 and a top 23 of the housing 21, thereby forming an interior volume 25. A cooling chamber 30 is located within the interior volume 25 of the housing 21. The cooling chamber 30 houses a beverage chamber 31 and a water reservoir 70. The walls of the beverage chamber 31 and the water reservoir 70, either on the inside or outside or between the inner and outer surfaces, are covered with an insulating material designed to reduce the amount of energy required to maintain the cooling water in the water reservoir 70 and the beverage chamber 31 at a desired temperature, and also to prevent or at least limit the conduction of heat from the remaining interior volume 25 of the housing 21 into the cooling chamber 30.

[0100] In one configuration, the cooling chamber 30, including the beverage chamber 31 and the water reservoir 70, is constructed as two layers: a plastic outer shell and a plastic inner layer, with insulation material inserted between the inner shell and the outer shell. This provides excellent thermal insulation properties for the cooling chamber 30. Preferably, the plastic material is selected from polypropylene, polyethylene, high-density polyethylene (HDPE), or other similar materials. The beverage chamber 31 and the water reservoir 70 are made using any molding process. By way of example only, the molding process can be a rotational molding process, in which a hollow mold is filled with powdered plastic resin, the mold is rotated biaxially, and transferred to an oven. As the resin melts and covers the mold walls, the mold continues to rotate. The mold is then cooled until the resin solidifies into the desired shape.

[0101] The insulation covering the inner or outer surfaces of the beverage chamber 31 and water reservoir 70 of the cooling chamber 30, or placed between the inner and outer surfaces, is any form of insulation that prevents or at least limits heat conduction. Examples include polyurethane insulation or spray foam. Polyurethane insulation is highly adhesive and cures almost instantly, making it highly durable and resistant to degradation over time. The insulation has a high R-value, or thermal resistance to heat flow, and serves to provide an insulating layer around the beverage chamber 31 and water reservoir 70 of the cooling chamber 30. This insulating layer ensures that the cooling water within the water reservoir 70 is maintained at the required temperature for use in the beverage cooling device 20. The insulation forms a barrier that effectively blocks both conductive and convective heat transfer. The insulation on the walls of the beverage chamber 31 and water reservoir 70 of the cooling chamber 30 provides high thermal resistance, which helps reduce the operating costs of the beverage cooling device 20. The insulation prevents energy loss, resulting in a more energy-efficient beverage cooling device 20.

[0102] The beverage chamber 31 and the water reservoir 70 are both located within the cooling bin 30. They are adjacent to each other and separated by the bottom wall 32 of the beverage chamber 31. The bottom wall 32 of the beverage chamber 31 sits within the open top wall of the water reservoir 70. Similar to the housing 21, the beverage chamber 31 and the water reservoir 70 have a generally rectangular configuration and together form the cooling bin 30. The beverage chamber 31 has four side walls extending vertically between the bottom wall 32 and the top wall. The top wall is removable to provide access to the interior of the beverage chamber 31, allowing for easy installation of components within the beverage chamber 31. The water reservoir 70 has a base and four side walls extending upward from the base, forming the open-top water reservoir 70. The open top of the water reservoir 70 is adapted to accommodate the bottom wall 32 of the beverage chamber 31, thereby forming a shared wall between the water reservoir 70 and the beverage chamber 31.

[0103] The housing 21 is made of any one of the following: galvanized steel, powder-coated steel, or painted steel. Alternatively, the housing 21 can be made of food-grade stainless steel or stainless steel. For example, the stainless steel can be 304 or 316 grade stainless steel, which can be used for sanitary food processing applications. As mentioned above, the cooling bin 30 comprising the beverage chamber 31 and the water reservoir 70 can be made of a plastic material such as polypropylene, polyethylene, HDPE, or any similar material. Alternatively, the cooling bin 30 can be made of any one of the following: food-grade stainless steel, galvanized steel, powder-coated steel, or painted steel. The beverage drawer 35 is made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or high-density polyethylene (PEHD) or similar materials. Alternatively, the beverage drawer 35 can be made of food-grade stainless steel, galvanized steel, powder-coated steel, or painted steel.

[0104] The beverage compartment 31 houses a beverage drawer 35, which can be pulled out from the housing 21 of the beverage cooler 20. In this embodiment, there is only one beverage drawer 35. It should be understood that any number of beverage drawers 35 can be provided in the housing 21, depending on needs and available space. An opening in the front sidewall 24 of the housing 21 accommodates the beverage drawer 35. When the beverage drawer 35 is in its storage position within the beverage compartment 31, a door 40 of the beverage drawer 35 closes and seals the opening in the housing 21. A handle 41 is attached to the door 40 to facilitate movement of the beverage drawer 35 in and out of the beverage compartment 31. The beverage drawer 35 is movably mounted via a sliding mechanism 36, which is arranged on opposing outer sidewalls 34 of the beverage drawer 35 and a sidewall of the beverage compartment 31. The sliding mechanism 36 allows the beverage drawer 35 to be pulled forward from within the beverage compartment 31. The beverage drawer 35 includes two drawer slides 36, each mounted on a corresponding sidewall 34 of the beverage drawer 35. The slide rails 36 engage with wheels or rollers provided on the side walls of the beverage chamber 31 so that the beverage drawer 35 can slide in and out of the housing 21 .

[0105] The beverage drawer 35 has a rectangular structure as shown in the figure, wherein opposite side walls 34, a rear wall 38, and a door 40 all extend upward from a base 39. The rear wall 38 is located opposite the door 40 and forms an elongated container body 37 with the side walls 34 and the base 39 with an open top for accommodating a plurality of beverage containers 15 therein.

[0106] The rotating mechanism 50 has components disposed within the beverage chamber 31 and the interior volume 25 of the housing 21. Figure 5 As shown, the rotation mechanism 50 includes a pair of rollers 57 configured to support six beverage containers 15 within the beverage drawer 35 of the beverage compartment 31. The rotation mechanism 50 has a longitudinal axis and is operable to rotate at least one beverage container 15 about the longitudinal axis of rotation of the at least one beverage container 15. The longitudinal axis of the rotation mechanism 50 and the longitudinal axis of the beverage container 15 are arranged parallel to each other. The rotation mechanism 50 is driven by a drive assembly. The drive assembly includes components located within the beverage drawer 31 and the interior volume 25 of the housing 21. Located within the beverage compartment 31 is a transmission assembly 53 that connects the rollers 57 to a drive motor 56. The two rollers 57 are rotatably mounted between the rear wall 38 of the beverage drawer 35 and the door 40, and are positioned parallel to each other within the container body 37 of the beverage drawer 35. Each roller 57 includes a shaft 51 housed within a sleeve 52. The transmission assembly 53 is positioned between the rear wall 38 of the beverage drawer 35 and the rear wall of the beverage compartment 31. The end of each shaft 51 passes through a hole in the rear wall 38 of the beverage drawer 35 to be attached to a transmission assembly 53. The transmission assembly 53 includes a driven gear 55 connected by a drive belt 54. The rollers 57 are spaced sufficiently apart to minimize the risk of one or more beverage containers 15 falling off the rollers 57.

[0107] The drive motor 56 is positioned within the interior volume 25 of the housing 21 and engages with the transmission assembly 53 to drive the roller 57 of the rotating mechanism 50. The drive motor 56 includes a drive shaft and a motor. The motor is positioned and mounted outside the cooling chamber 30. The drive shaft is connected to the motor and extends through a hole in the rear wall of the beverage chamber 31 of the cooling chamber 30 and into the beverage chamber 31. By way of example only, the drive shaft of the drive motor 56 may be a stainless steel shaft having a diameter of 10 mm. A gear positioned at the end of the drive shaft of the drive motor 56 engages with an internal gear of one of the gears 55 of the transmission assembly 53 on the rear wall 38 of the beverage drawer 35. When the beverage drawer 35 slides into or out of the beverage chamber 31, the drive gear on the drive motor 56 engages or disengages with the internal gear of one of the pair of drive gears 55 of the transmission assembly 53.

[0108] The rotation of the drive motor 56 causes the roller 57 to rotate in the same direction. Consequently, the beverage container 15, in this example, the can 15, placed on the roller 57 is driven to rotate. The drive motor 56 can be any type of DC motor with a controllable variable speed. An example of a suitable motor is a 550 rpm 12V DC, 2 amp motor. Alternatively, the drive motor can be a constant speed motor, such as a 550 rpm 12V DC motor.

[0109] In one embodiment of the drive assembly, the drive motor 56 and the drive shaft can be connected by a universal joint or a right-angle flexible joint to reduce the size of the housing 21. This effectively allows the drive motor 56 to be mounted approximately vertically on the rear wall of the beverage chamber 31 of the cooling bin 30.

[0110] The longitudinally extending shaft 51 of each roller 57 can be a steel or stainless steel shaft and is placed in a sleeve 52 made of a resilient, flexible material such as a foamed plastic material. The sleeve 52 enhances the frictional engagement between the roller 57 and the beverage container 15. For example, the sleeve 52 is made of an extruded closed-cell synthetic rubber with an outer protective coating. Therefore, the material of the sleeve 52 helps maintain the integrity of the label on the beverage container 15. This is particularly important for certain types of beverages, such as wine, where the integrity of the label is very important to consumers. By way of example only, the sleeve 52 on the shaft 51 of the roller 57 can have an outer diameter of 27 mm.

[0111] The user-operable access mechanism 60 engages the beverage drawer 35 to push the beverage drawer 35 a short distance out of the beverage compartment 31. The user-operable access mechanism 60 is used to indicate to the user that the cooling cycle of the beverage cooling device 20 is complete and the user can now slide the beverage drawer 35 out of the beverage compartment 31 to remove the cooled beverage container 15.

[0112] The user-operable access mechanism 60 includes a drawer opening actuator 64 and a push rod 61, one end of which operably engages the rear wall 38 of the beverage drawer 35. The opening actuator 64 is positioned outside the beverage compartment 31 of the cooling bin 30 and within the interior volume 25 of the housing 21. The opening actuator 64 is mounted on the rear wall of the beverage compartment 31. The push rod 61 extends from the opening actuator 64 and passes through an aperture in the rear wall of the beverage compartment 31, where the distal end of the push rod 61 contacts the rear wall 38 of the beverage drawer 35. When the opening actuator 64 is activated, the push rod 61 partially pushes the beverage drawer 35 out of the housing 21, thereby indicating to the user that the beverage drawer 35 can be pulled out to provide access to the container body 37 of the beverage drawer 35. When the beverage drawer 35 is slid back into the beverage compartment 31, the rear wall 38 pushes the push rod 61 rearward, resetting the actuator 64.

[0113] In one embodiment of the user-operable access mechanism 60, the opening actuator 64 and the push rod 61 can be connected by a universal joint or a right-angle flexible joint to reduce the size of the housing 21. This effectively allows the opening actuator 64 to be mounted approximately vertically on the rear wall of the beverage chamber 31 of the cooling bin 30.

[0114] A water reservoir 70 is also disposed within the cooling chamber 30 of the housing 21. A cooling water pump 75 pumps the cooling water in the water reservoir 70 through a conduit 77 to a cooling water outlet 76 located above the top-open container body 37 of the beverage drawer 35. A row of cooling water outlets 76, such as a plurality of openings on the conduit 77, is mounted in the center of the top wall of the beverage chamber 31. Alternatively, the cooling water outlet 76 may be a nozzle mounted in the center of the top wall of the beverage chamber 31. Figure 1 As shown, when the beverage drawer 35 is placed in the housing 21 and the drawer 35 is closed, the cooling water outlet 76 is directed downward toward the beverage container 15 in the beverage drawer 35. The inlet of the cooling water pump 75 is in fluid communication with the water reservoir 70, so that cooling water from the water reservoir 70 can be pumped out through the nozzle to impact the beverage container 15 as the beverage container 15 rotates in the beverage drawer 35. The cooling water pump 75 can take various forms depending on requirements, such as the size of the beverage drawer 35. An example of a suitable pump is a 20 L / min, 12 V DC, 0.3 A, 30 W pump.

[0115] To cool the water in the water reservoir 70, a refrigeration system 80 is disposed within the interior volume 25 of the housing 21. The refrigeration system 80 is positioned relative to the water reservoir 70 and is configured to maintain the temperature of the water in the water reservoir 70 above 0°C and below 3°C. For example, the refrigeration system 80 is configured or designed to maintain the water temperature between 0°C and 1.0°C. The refrigeration system 80 includes an evaporator coil 81 disposed within the water reservoir 70 and a refrigeration compressor / condenser assembly 84 disposed within the interior volume 25 of the housing 21. The evaporator coil 81 and the compressor / condenser assembly 84 are connected by refrigerant piping (not shown). The compressor 84 of the refrigeration system 80 can be a 12V or 24V DC compressor. The operation of the refrigeration system 80 is controlled by a temperature sensor 86 in the water reservoir 70. By way of example only, the temperature sensor 86 sends a signal to the compressor PCB 80C to activate the compressor 84 at 0.9°C and deactivate it at 0.4°C.

[0116] Alternatively, the refrigeration system 80 includes a heat exchanger installed adjacent to the compressor 84 and outside the water reservoir 70 for cooling the water in the water reservoir 70. The water in the water reservoir 70 is pumped by a circulation pump 82 to the heat exchanger installed outside the water reservoir 70. The cooled water then returns to the water reservoir 70, and a cooling water pump 75 delivers the cooled water in the water reservoir 70 to a cooling water outlet 76.

[0117] As a further alternative, the refrigeration system 80 utilizes a hybrid system having a heat exchanger located external to the water reservoir 70 and an evaporator coil 81 located internally within the water reservoir 70. In this embodiment, the heat exchanger is used to cool the water as it is pumped from the water reservoir 70 to the cooling water outlet 76. In this arrangement, the water is maintained at a very low temperature throughout the entire cooling cycle of the beverage cooling device 20. Using a heat exchanger in this manner prevents the water temperature within the water reservoir 70 from rising due to the heat exchange that occurs when the beverage is cooled from room temperature.

[0118] More generally, the refrigeration system 80 can be configured to maintain the water temperature at a desired level to achieve the desired cooling effect on the beverage container 15. For example, the refrigeration system 80 can be configured or set to maintain the water temperature between 0° C. and 3° C., and more specifically, between 0° C. and 1° C. It should be understood that the refrigeration system 80 can maintain the water temperature at other temperatures in some cases depending on the needs of the beverage cooling device 20.

[0119] A temperature sensor or probe 86 is provided in fluid communication with the water in the water reservoir 70 to sense the temperature of the water in the water reservoir 70. The temperature sensor 86 may be a thermistor, a thermocouple, a semiconductor-based integrated circuit, a resistance temperature detector (RTD), or any similar device that measures the temperature of the water in the water reservoir 70. The temperature sensor 86 is in electrical communication with the compressor controller PCB 80C in the control system 90 to monitor the temperature of the cooling water and control the operation of the compressor 84.

[0120] The beverage cooling device 20 includes a circulation mechanism 82 in fluid communication with the water reservoir 70 to circulate the water in the water reservoir 70. The circulation pump 82 can take various forms. One example of a suitable pump is a 30W, 20L / min, 12 / 24V DC pump. A first water sterilizer 85 is located within the water reservoir 70 to sterilize the water circulated by the circulation pump 82 within the water reservoir 70. A second water sterilizer 85A is located within the beverage chamber 31 to sterilize the water in the beverage drawer 35. The first and second water sterilizers 85 and 85A are specifically configured to eliminate bacteria and mold. The first and second water sterilizers 85 and 85A can take the form of LED ultraviolet sterilizers, etc.

[0121] The beverage cooling device 20 also includes a drainage mechanism that forms a drainage channel between the beverage drawer 35, the beverage chamber 31, and the water reservoir 70. The drainage channel allows cooling water to drain directly from the beverage drawer 35 back into the water reservoir 70. Aperture 39A is located in the base 39 of the beverage drawer 35 and is generally aligned with the aperture 33 in the bottom wall 32 of the beverage chamber 31. These apertures 33, 39A allow cooling water to drain directly back into the water reservoir 70. In this embodiment, there are two apertures 39A in the base 39 of the beverage drawer 35 and two corresponding apertures 33 in the bottom wall 39 of the beverage chamber 31. The alignment of the apertures 33, 39A allows cooling water to drain back into the water reservoir 70 under the action of gravity.

[0122] The beverage cooling device 20 also includes a control system 90, power sources 95, 95A, and a user interface 100. The control system 90 and power sources 95, 95A are located within the interior volume 25 of the housing 21, and the user interface 100 is mounted on the front sidewall 24 of the housing 21, directly below the door 40 of the beverage drawer 35. The control system 90 controls the operation of the beverage cooling device 20 and its various components.

[0123] To monitor the position of the beverage drawer 35, a limit switch 62 and an actuator rod 63 are positioned directly below the user-operable access mechanism 60. The limit switch 62 includes an actuator rod 63 attached to the rear wall of the beverage drawer 35, which moves in response to changes in the position of the beverage drawer 35. The limit switch 62 is mounted on the rear wall of the beverage compartment 31 of the cooling bin 30. The actuator rod 63 extends from the beverage drawer 35 and through an opening in the rear wall of the beverage compartment 31 of the cooling bin 30, where it contacts the limit switch 62. The end of the actuator rod 63 engages the limit switch 62, and the movement of the beverage drawer 35 is transmitted to the control system 90. The control system 90 can receive signals related to the status of the beverage drawer 35, namely, whether the beverage drawer 35 is open for user access or closed. When the beverage drawer 35 is open, the actuator rod 63 opens the contacts of the limit switch 62, thereby de-energizing the drive motor 56 of the drive assembly. Furthermore, when the beverage drawer 35 is opened, the drive gear on the drive motor 56 is disengaged from the inner teeth of one of the pair of drive gears 55 of the transmission assembly 53 , and the rotating mechanism 50 is stopped.

[0124] Exemplary uses of the beverage cooling device 20 are as follows: Figure 2As shown, in a residence such as a house or apartment having a kitchen 10, the beverage cooler 20 can be easily integrated or embedded in the cabinetry of the kitchen 10. When installed in this manner, the beverage cooler 20 is provided with a mains power connection, and an AC / DC converter is installed within the interior volume 25 of the housing 21. In this embodiment, a single beverage drawer 35 is mounted within the front sidewall 24 of the housing 21. The user interface 100 is located directly below the door 40 of the beverage drawer 35 and is also located on the front sidewall 24.

[0125] Figures 3 to 5 A beverage cooling device 20 is shown in perspective, front, and top views. Figure 3 The housing 21 is shown, with a sidewall 24 extending between a base 22 and a top 23. A door 40 for a beverage drawer 35 is positioned on the front-facing sidewall 24 to close the opening in the housing 21, and a handle 41 in front of the door 40 facilitates removal of the beverage drawer 35 from within the housing 21. A user interface 100 is mounted on the front-facing sidewall 24, directly below the door 40. In this embodiment, the user interface 100 is shown as a touchpad that is connected to a control system 90, allowing a user to control the operation of various components of the beverage cooling device 20. The touchpad includes a touch film to prevent the ingress of moisture and impurities.

[0126] Figure 5 A top view of the beverage cooling device 20 is shown, with the beverage drawer 35 in an open position, allowing a user to access the container body 37 of the beverage drawer 35. In the depicted embodiment, six beverage containers 15 in the form of cans are placed on the rollers 57 of the rotating mechanism 50, with three cans on each side of the beverage drawer 35. In some configurations, the beverage containers 15 need to rub against the sidewalls 34 of the beverage drawer 35. Therefore, at least the sidewalls 34 are made of a material with a low coefficient of friction or are coated with a material with a low coefficient of friction so that the label is not damaged by this friction. A variety of plastic materials are suitable. An example of a suitable plastic material is HDPE, or another plastic material with a similar coefficient of friction.

[0127] Figure 6 and Figure 7 Top and bottom views of the beverage drawer 35 are shown removed from the beverage cooling device 20 . Figure 6A top view of the open-top container body 37 is shown. At one end is a door 40 and a handle 41, and at the other end is a rear wall 38. Side walls 34 extend upward from a base 39, and a drawer slide 36 is mounted on each side wall 34. Drain holes 39A are located in the base 39 near the rear wall 38. Two rollers 57 of the rotating mechanism 50 extend between the door 40 and the rear wall 38 and are supported for rotation. Each roller 57 has a longitudinally extending shaft 51, wherein the end of each shaft 51 passes through the rear wall 38 of the beverage drawer 35 to attach to a transmission assembly 53. A gear or pulley 55 is mounted at the end of each shaft 51, and a drive belt 54 is looped around each gear or pulley 55 so that when the transmission assembly 53 is driven by a drive motor 56, the two shafts 51 will rotate in the same direction.

[0128] like Figure 7 , Figure 8-1 FIG0 shows that the base 39 of the beverage drawer 35 is trough-shaped. Extending from the side wall 34 are two inclined portions 39B, which are connected to the flat bottom portion of the base 39. The trough-shaped structure of the bases 39, 39B ensures that the cooling water will easily flow back to the water reservoir 70 through the holes 39A in the beverage drawer 35 and the holes 33 in the bottom wall 32 of the beverage chamber 31 under the force of gravity.

[0129] Figure 8 The transmission assembly 53 on the rear wall 38 of the beverage drawer 35 is shown in greater detail. Gears or pulleys 55 are connected for rotation via a drive belt 54. This ensures that both shafts 51 will rotate in the same direction when the transmission assembly 53 is driven by a drive motor 56. As previously mentioned, one of the gears or pulleys 55 has an internal gear (not shown) that meshes with a driven gear on the end of the drive motor shaft.

[0130] Figure 9 and Figure 10 shows the Figure 6 A cross-sectional view of the beverage drawer 35 taken along the centerline AA. Figure 9 The beverage drawer 35 is shown without any beverage containers 15 placed on the rollers 57 of the rotating mechanism 50. As described above, the beverage drawer 35 is formed as a generally rectangular drawer, wherein the top-open container body 37 is surrounded by side walls 34, bases 39, 39B, and opposing ends 38, 40. The sliding mechanism 36 is arranged on the opposing outer side walls 34 of the beverage drawer 35 and the side walls of the beverage chamber 31, so that the beverage drawer 35 can be pulled out from the interior of the beverage chamber 31 in a forward direction. The beverage drawer 35 includes two drawer slides 36, each of which is mounted on a corresponding side wall 34 of the beverage drawer 35.

[0131] The roller 57 of the rotating mechanism 50 is shown as having two longitudinally extending shafts 51 placed within a sleeve 52 made of a resilient flexible material such as a foamed plastic material to enhance the frictional engagement between the rotating mechanism 50 and the beverage container 15.

[0132] 10A to 10C illustrate examples of three different options for placing beverage containers 15 in the beverage drawer 35. In these examples, the beverage drawer 35 and the rollers 57 of the rotating mechanism 50 are configured so that the beverage containers 15 in the form of cans can be rotated by the rotating mechanism 50. The rollers 57 can be configured to support one or more beverage containers 15 so that they are parallel to the rollers 57 of the rotating mechanism 50.

[0133] 10A , a configuration is shown in which beverage containers 15 are supported between rollers 57. The length of the beverage drawer 35 will determine the number of beverage containers 15 that can be placed end to end between the rollers 57.

[0134] 10B , another configuration is shown in which at least two beverage containers 15 are supported between respective rollers 57 and adjacent side walls 34 of a beverage drawer 35. In this configuration, the beverage containers 15 are rotated by the respective rollers 57 and rub against the side walls 34. As described above, the material of the side walls 34 is selected to prevent any labels that may be on the beverage containers 15 from being damaged.

[0135] 10C , a configuration is shown in which at least three beverage containers 15 are supported by rollers 57 and the sidewalls 34 of the beverage drawer 35. In this configuration, at least two lower beverage containers 15 are supported on the rollers 57 as shown in FIG. 10B , and at least one upper beverage container 15 is supported between the two lower beverage containers 15.

[0136] As an example only, the beverage drawer 35 has an inner length of 455mm, an inner width of 135mm, and an inner height of 145mm. The spacing between the rollers 57 between the rotation axes is 55mm. These dimensions enable the beverage container 15 of various forms to be accommodated and rotated in a stable manner. For example, in the various arrangements shown in Figure 10A to Figure 10C, the following can be accommodated in the beverage drawer 35: a bottle with a capacity of 700mL to 2L, or four bottles with a capacity of 365mL to 600mL, or six jars with a capacity of 365mL to 600mL, or six bottles with a capacity of 245mL to 330mL, or nine jars with a capacity of 245mL to 330mL. It should be understood that the size can be changed to adapt to different forms of containers. In addition, size can be changed within the scope of being suitable for rotating the beverage container 15 of the above-mentioned different forms.

[0137] The beverage cooling device 20 includes a 12V DC power supply 95 and a 24V DC power supply 95A located within the interior volume 25 of the housing 21. The power supplies 95, 95A provide DC power to the various components of the beverage cooling device 20 described above. When the beverage cooling device 20 is used in a 12V DC environment such as a trailer, or a recreational vehicle such as a mobile home or a watercraft, the vehicle's DC power supply can simply be connected directly to the 12V or 24V DC power supply 95, 95A. If the vehicle is 12V DC powered, the beverage cooling device 20 only requires a single 12V DC power supply 95, and the refrigeration system 80 uses a 12V DC compressor. Figure 2 As shown, when the beverage cooling device 20 is used in a residence having a mains connection, an AC / DC converter (not shown) is used to provide the correct voltage for the power supply 95, 95A.

[0138] Figure 11 A flow chart illustrating a method of cooling a beverage in a beverage container 15 using a beverage cooling device 20, 20A, 20B is shown.

[0139] In use, when the beverage drawer 35 is open, the user places the beverage container 15 to be cooled, in this example a can, on the rollers 57. Figure 11 The beverage drawer 35 is closed in step 110. Closing the beverage drawer 35 causes the limit switch 62 to generate a closing signal, which is received by the control system 90. The control system 90 is programmed to enter a ready state to receive cooling parameters via the user interface 100 (see step 111). The user interface 100 is configured to allow the control system 90 to input cooling parameters related to the degree to which the cans are to be cooled. These parameters may include temperature levels such as "cold," "very cold," or "ice cold." Alternatively, actual temperature values may be input. The input parameters may also include data related to the size or volume of each beverage container 15. The control system 90 may be programmed to correlate the volume to be cooled and the degree of cooling with the length of time required to pump cooling water to the beverage containers 15. For example, if the cooling water is maintained between 0°C and 1.0°C and there are three standard beverage cans 15, each containing 375 mL of liquid, the "cold" button may be used to set the cooling water pump 75 to run for four minutes. The "very cold" button may be used to set the cooling water pump 75 to run for six minutes. The "Ice Cold" button can be used to set the cooling water pump 75 to run for eight minutes. It should be understood that the control system 90 can be programmed to accommodate cooling water maintained at other temperatures, such as anywhere between 0°C and 3°C, or even higher, depending on the configuration of the refrigeration system 80.

[0140] A further alternative parameter that may be input via the user interface 100 relates to the type of beverage being cooled.The control system 90 may be programmed to receive and store data relating to the type of beverage being cooled.

[0141] Once the cooling parameters are entered, the control system 90 is programmed to receive a start command at step 112. Upon receiving the start command in step 112, the compressor 84 and circulation pump 82 will be activated for 30 seconds. This provides a quick start of the cooling process and avoids waiting for the temperature of the water in the water reservoir 70 to activate the compressor thermostat, thereby turning on the compressor 84. Furthermore, upon receiving the start command, the control system 90 is configured to provide direct current power to the drive motor 56 at step 113. The drive motor 56 is controlled by the control system 90 to rotate the beverage container 15 at a speed of at least 50 RPM for a period of time corresponding to the operating time of the cooling water pump 75. The control system 90 can also be programmed to vary the speed of the drive motor 56. The speed can be varied to suit the size or volume of the container or the type of beverage being cooled.

[0142] In step 114, the control system 90 provides 12V DC power to the cooling water pump 75. This causes the cooling water to continue to be pumped to the beverage container 15 for the time indicated above. As shown in step 115, the control system 90 is programmed to query the input time of the cooling water pump 75 and, after the time indicated above, to cut off the power to the cooling water pump 75 in step 116.

[0143] As shown in step 117, the control system 90 is programmed to query a preset time and, in step 118, the control system 90 de-energizes the drive motor 56. The preset time is designed to provide sufficient time for the cooled water to drain from the beverage drawer 35 back into the water reservoir 70 and for any cooled water to flow out of the rotating beverage containers 15 within the beverage drawer 35 before the beverage drawer 35 is opened. By way of example only, the preset time may be 10 seconds. In step 119, once the drive motor 56 is de-energized, the control system 90 is configured to provide DC power to the drawer opening actuator 64, causing the push rod 61 to operate as described above, partially pushing the beverage drawer 35 out of the housing 21, as shown in step 120. The operating time of the actuator 64 depends on the specifications of the actuator 64. For example, as described above, the operating time of the actuator 64 may be 4 seconds. In step 121, the cycle is complete and a buzzer is activated, signaling to the user that the beverage drawer 35 may be further opened to remove one or more cooled beverage containers 15. Alternatively, an indicator light may be illuminated on the user interface to indicate that the cooling cycle is complete and the beverage drawer 35 may be opened to access the cooled beverage container 15 .

[0144] The limit switch 62 may also function as an override switch device or limit switch 62 that is configured to stop all operations and reset various components via the control system 90. If a user attempts to open the beverage drawer 35 before the cooling cycle is complete, the limit switch 62 will stop the operation of the beverage cooling device 20, 20A, 20B.

[0145] The user interface 100 and the control system 90 can be configured so that the user interface 100 can provide a user with visual signals regarding the operating status of the beverage cooling device 20, 20A, 20B. For example, this can include an LED device that visually counts down the operating time.

[0146] Figure 12 An example of a control system 90 for a beverage cooling device 20, 20A is shown. The control system 90 is programmed to operate the beverage cooling device 20, 20A based on input provided by a user interface 100. The user interface 100 is a touch panel connected to the control PCB 80B, allowing a user to control the operation of various components of the beverage cooling device 20. The touch panel includes a touch film to prevent the ingress of moisture and impurities.

[0147] By way of example only, the control system 90 can be a programmable controller that can operatively control the drive motor 56, the cooling water pump 75, the drawer opening actuator 64 of the user-operable access mechanism 60, and the circulation pump 82. The control system 90 is configured to program and automate the operation of the beverage cooling device 20, 20A. The control system 90 also receives input from the user interface 100 and the limit switch 62, which monitors changes in the position of the beverage drawer 35.

[0148] like Figure 12 As shown, the control system 90 includes a control PCB 80B, which is powered by a 12V DC power supply 95. A 24V DC power supply 95A powers a compressor PCB 80C of the refrigeration system 80. The compressor PCB 80C supplies power to the compressor motor 84, the condenser fan motor 80A, and the circulation pump motor 82. The compressor PCB 80C also receives signals from a temperature sensor 86 located within the water reservoir 70 to monitor and control the temperature of the cooling water in the beverage cooler 20. The compressor PCB 80C can be programmed to control the operation of the refrigeration system 80 to maintain the temperature of the water in the water reservoir 70 at a desired level and provide a readable output of the temperature of the water in the water reservoir 70 to the user interface 100.

[0149] The user interface 100 can be programmed to receive user input to select a desired temperature or cooling parameters for cooling the beverage in the beverage container 15. Once the desired temperature is selected, the control system 90 determines the time required to rapidly cool the beverage in the beverage container 15. The size or volume and type of beverage can be input into the control system 90 via the user interface 100.

[0150] The control system 90 also includes a cycle completion buzzer (not shown), which can be located on the control PCB 80B or the user interface 100. In addition to the control buzzer, an indicator light can also be used on the user interface 100 to indicate that the beverage cooling cycle is complete. The touch panel of the user interface 100 can have an LCD display, etc., to provide a visual indication of the operation of the beverage cooling device 20. For example, the temperature of the cooling water, the total cycle time, and the cycle completion indication can all be included in the display. Similarly, the user interface 100 can include a countdown timer, such as a digital clock that counts down from the total cycle time to the end of the cycle. In addition, the user interface 100 can include an LED display for indicating the water level in the water reservoir 70.

[0151] Figure 13 and Figure 14 A second embodiment of the present invention is shown. The beverage cooling device 20A can be configured as a freestanding or portable device that can be placed on a kitchen countertop or any other flat surface, or alternatively, can be used while camping or at the beach. The beverage cooling device 20A can also be used in recreational vehicles such as mobile homes, watercraft, or any other location where a ready-to-use beverage cooler is needed.

[0152] In this configuration, the beverage cooling device 20A can be connected to a battery or renewable energy source for power. Alternatively, when mounted on a residential countertop, the beverage cooling device 20A can be connected to a mains power source. When connected to the mains, the beverage cooling device 20A houses an AC / DC converter within the interior volume 25A of its housing 21A to provide an accurate DC voltage to the power sources 95, 95A.

[0153] like Figure 13 As shown, a standalone or portable beverage cooling device 20A has a housing 21A having a bottom 22 and four sidewalls 24 extending upward from the bottom 22 to define an interior volume 25A. A top wall 23 extends from one of the sidewalls 24. A door 40A is mounted or hinged to one side of the top wall 23 and is adapted to enclose the interior volume 25A of the housing 21A. Mounted within the top wall 23 is a user interface 100 that allows a user to input cooling parameters, or the size or volume of a beverage container 15 to be cooled by the beverage cooling device 20A. It should be understood that the housing 21A of the beverage cooling device 20A can take any shape.

[0154] Housing 21A is preferably made of galvanized, powder-coated, or painted steel. Alternatively, housing 21A is made of plastic, but any material may be used. Sidewalls 24, top 23, door 40A, and bottom 22 of housing 21A are preferably double-walled, with an insulating layer disposed between the two layers of housing material.

[0155] Figure 14 Components located within the housing 21A of the beverage cooling device 20A are shown. A cooling chamber 30 is disposed within the interior volume of the housing 21A. The cooling chamber 30 comprises a beverage chamber 31 located adjacent to and in fluid communication with a water reservoir 70 and adapted to accommodate at least one beverage container 15 therein. The beverage chamber 31 has four sidewalls extending upward from a bottom wall 32 to form an open-top container body. The water reservoir 70 similarly comprises four sidewalls, a base, and an open top portion adapted to receive the bottom wall 32 of the beverage chamber 31 to enclose the water reservoir 70. The beverage chamber 31 and water reservoir 70 of the cooling chamber 30 are covered internally or externally with insulating material designed to reduce the amount of energy required to maintain the cooling water within the water reservoir 70 and beverage chamber 31 at a desired temperature, and also to prevent or at least limit the conduction of heat from the interior volume of the housing 21A into the cooling chamber 30. Alternatively, the beverage chamber 31 and water reservoir 70 of the cooling bin 30 can be constructed in two layers: a plastic outer layer and a plastic inner layer, with an insulating material positioned between the inner and outer layers. This provides excellent thermal insulation for the cooling bin 30. Preferably, the plastic material is selected from polypropylene, polyethylene, or other similar materials.

[0156] A cooling water pump 75 is placed in the water reservoir 70, and at least one cooling water outlet 76 is operably provided relative to the beverage chamber 31. During its rotation, the cooling water pump 75 pumps the cooling water from the water reservoir 70 through the conduit 77 to the beverage chamber 31 and onto the at least one beverage container 15. A drainage channel 33 is located in the bottom wall 32, internally connecting the beverage chamber 31 and the water reservoir 70, so that the cooling water can be directly drained back into the water reservoir 70.

[0157] A refrigeration system 80 is disposed within the housing 21A. The refrigeration system 80 is configured to maintain the temperature of the water within the water reservoir 70 within a range of 0°C to 3°C. The refrigeration system 80 includes an evaporator coil 81, which is positioned within the water reservoir 70 and connected to a refrigeration compressor / condenser assembly 84 via a refrigeration line (not shown). The compressor / condenser assembly 84 is mounted within the interior volume 25A of the housing 21A, but located outside the cooling chamber 30. The compressor 84 can be a 12V or 24V DC compressor. The operation of the refrigeration system 80 is controlled by a temperature sensor (not shown) within the water reservoir 70. A circulation mechanism 82, fluidically connected to the water reservoir 70, is used to circulate the water within the water reservoir 70. The circulation pump 82 can take various forms. One example of a suitable pump is a 30W, 20L / min, 12 / 24V DC pump. Water sterilizers 85 , 85A are also located in the water reservoir 70 and the beverage chamber 31 for sterilizing the water circulated in the water reservoir 70 and the beverage chamber 31 by the circulation pump 82 .

[0158] The rotating mechanism 50 is disposed within the beverage chamber 31 and is configured to support and rotate at least one beverage container 15 on the side of the beverage container 15. The rotating mechanism 50 has a longitudinal axis and can rotate the at least one beverage container 15 about the longitudinal axis of the beverage container 15. The longitudinal axis of the rotating mechanism 50 is arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis of the beverage container 15. The rotating mechanism 50 comprises two rollers 57, a transmission assembly (not shown), and a drive motor (not shown). The drive motor is operably engaged with the transmission assembly to drive the rollers 57 to operate the rotating mechanism 50. The two rollers 57 are rotatably mounted between the opposing side walls 24 of the beverage chamber 31 and are positioned parallel to each other. Each roller 57 includes a longitudinally extending shaft 51 housed within a sleeve 52. The sleeve 52 is made of a resilient, flexible material, such as a foamed plastic, to enhance frictional engagement between the rotating mechanism 50 and the beverage container 15.

[0159] The end of each shaft 51 extends through a hole in the side wall 24 of the beverage chamber 31 to attach to the transmission assembly. The rollers 57 are spaced sufficiently apart to minimize the risk of one or more beverage containers 15 falling off the rollers 57 during rotation.

[0160] The beverage cooling device 20A also includes a control system 90, power sources 95, 95A, and a user interface 100. The control system 90 and power sources 95, 95A are located within the interior volume 25A of the housing 21A, and the user interface 100 is mounted on the top wall 23 of the housing 21A. The control system 90 controls the operation of the beverage cooling device 20A and its various components.

[0161] Figures 15 to 17A third embodiment of the present invention is shown. The beverage cooling unit 20B can be configured as a split system, comprising an inner housing 21B and an outer housing 21C. The inner housing 21B can be easily integrated or embedded in a cabinet in the kitchen 10, while the outer housing 21C can be mounted or placed near the building's exterior wall 11. Alternatively, the inner housing 21B can be a tabletop unit, simply sitting on the countertop of the kitchen 10. The outer housing 21C contains the compressor 84 and the heat exchanger 91. The external mounting of these components effectively reduces the impact of heat transfer from the compressor 84 on the cooling water in the water reservoir 70 and significantly reduces the operating noise of the indoor unit 21B that may be associated with the operation of the compressor 84.

[0162] The beverage cooling device 20B includes an inner housing 21B, which is considered to have a generally rectangular configuration. In other words, Figure 15 The inner housing 21B shown can be thought of as having two opposing longer side walls (or primary side walls) 24 and two opposing shorter side walls (or secondary side walls) 24. Each side wall 24 extends between a base 22 and a top 23 of the inner housing 21B, thereby forming an interior volume 25. A cooling chamber 30 is located within the interior volume 25 of the inner housing 21B. The cooling chamber 30 houses the beverage chamber 31 and the water reservoir 70. The walls of the beverage chamber 31 and the water reservoir 70, either on the inside or outside or between the inner and outer surfaces, are covered with an insulating material designed to reduce the energy required to maintain the cooling water in the water reservoir 70 and the beverage chamber 31 at a desired temperature, and also to prevent or at least limit the conduction of heat from the interior volume 25 of the inner housing 21B into the cooling chamber 30.

[0163] The beverage chamber 31 and the water reservoir 70 are located adjacent to each other and are separated by the bottom wall 32 of the beverage chamber 31. The bottom wall 32 of the beverage chamber 31 is located within the top open wall of the water reservoir 70. Similar to the inner housing 21B, the beverage chamber 31 and the water reservoir 70 have a generally rectangular configuration and together form the cooling chamber 30. The beverage chamber 31 has four side walls extending vertically between the bottom wall 32 and the top wall. The top wall is removable to provide access to the interior of the beverage chamber 31, allowing components within the beverage chamber 31 to be easily installed. The water reservoir 70 has a base and four side walls extending upward from the base, forming the top open water reservoir 70. The open top of the water reservoir 70 is adapted to accommodate the bottom wall 32 of the beverage chamber 31, thereby forming a common wall between the water reservoir 70 and the beverage chamber 31.

[0164] As described above, the beverage chamber 31 and water reservoir 70 can be constructed as two layers: an outer plastic shell and an inner plastic shell, with insulating material interposed between the inner and outer shells. This provides excellent thermal insulation for the cooling chamber 30. Preferably, the plastic material is selected from the following: polypropylene, polyethylene, high-density polyethylene (HDPE), and similar materials. The beverage chamber 31 and water reservoir 70 can be manufactured using any molding process. By way of example only, the molding process can be rotational molding.

[0165] The inner housing 21B and the outer housing 21C may be made of any of the following: galvanized steel sheet, powder coated steel sheet or painted steel sheet. Alternatively, the inner housing 21B and the outer housing 21C may be made of stainless steel or food grade stainless steel.

[0166] The beverage drawer 35 is made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or high-density polyethylene (PEHD) or similar materials. Alternatively, the beverage drawer 35 can be made of any of the following: stainless steel, food-grade stainless steel, galvanized steel, powder-coated steel or painted steel.

[0167] Aside from the evaporator coil 81, most of the operating components of the beverage cooling device 20 are contained within the split system 20B. A heat exchanger 91 in the outer housing 21C replaces the evaporator coil 81. The heat exchanger 91 is used to transfer heat between a heat source and a working fluid. In this system, the working fluid is the refrigerant from the compressor 84, and the source to be cooled is water in the water reservoir 70, which is pumped to the heat exchanger 91 by the circulation pump 82. A flow switch 92 is located in the circulation piping between the circulation pump 82 and the heat exchanger 91. This flow switch 92 ensures that water flows through the heat exchanger 91 before activating the compressor 84. If no water flows through the heat exchanger 91, the flow switch 92 isolates the compressor 84 and prevents the water in the heat exchanger 91 from freezing.

[0168] External housing 21C is connected to internal housing 21B via two cooling water hoses. These hoses connect water reservoir 70 and circulation pump 82 to heat exchanger 91. Cables also connect 12V DC power supplies 95, 95A to control PCB 80B and other DC-powered components within internal housing 21B. Cables also connect temperature sensor 86 in water reservoir 70 within internal housing 21B to compressor PCB 80C in external housing 21C.

[0169] The beverage cooling device 20B can be installed in any residence, such as a house or apartment. In most cases, the inner housing 21B is installed in the kitchen 10 or any other suitable location outside the house and is within about 2 meters of the outer housing 21C. Figure 16When installed in the illustrated configuration, the outer housing 21C of the beverage cooler 20B includes a mains connection for powering the beverage cooler 20B. An AC / DC converter is mounted within the outer housing 21C to provide direct current to the power supplies 95, 95A. A compressor PCB 80C is also housed within the outer housing 21C and controls the operation of the compressor 84.

[0170] Beverage cooling device 20B can also be installed in trailer or recreational vehicle such as mobile home or water vehicle.Under this setting, the DC power supply of vehicle is just directly connected to 12V or 24V DC power supply 95,95A in the outer shell 21C.In this setting and residential installation, power supply 95,95A provides DC electric energy to the various parts of beverage cooling device 20B.When beverage cooling device 20B was used in the 12V DC environment, such as in trailer or recreational vehicle, and beverage cooling device 20B only needed single 12V DC power supply 95, and refrigeration compressor 84 was a 12V DC compressor.

[0171] As described above, the components and operation of beverage cooling device 20B are identical to those used in beverage cooling devices 20 and 20A. For example, the rotation mechanism 50 is comprised of a drive motor 56, a transmission assembly 53, and at least one roller 57. A user-operable access mechanism 60 engages with the beverage drawer 35, allowing the user to open and close the beverage drawer 35. A cooling water pump 75 is positioned within the water reservoir 70 and is configured to pump cooling water from the water reservoir 70 to a cooling water outlet 76 in the beverage chamber 31. Drain channels 33 and 39A internally connect the beverage chamber 31 and the water reservoir 70, allowing the cooling water to drain directly back into the water reservoir 70.

[0172] In addition, if Figure 15 As shown, the beverage cooling device 20B also includes a drain pump 93 that allows the operator to drain the water in the water reservoir 70. The drain pump 93 is controlled by an associated touchpad switch on the user interface 100. When actuated, the drain pump 93 drains the water in the water reservoir 70 through a drain pipe. The drain pipe can be connected to a kitchen waste pipe or any other pipe that transports waste water to a sewer system. The drain pump 93 can also be installed in the beverage cooling device 20, 20A.

[0173] Figure 17The control system 90A of the beverage cooling device 20B is shown. The control system 90A can also be easily modified to operate the beverage cooling devices 20, 20A. The control system 90A is programmed to operate the beverage cooling device 20B based on input provided by the user interface 100 and other components within the inner housing 21B and the outer housing 21C. The user interface 100 is a touch panel connected to the control PCB 80B, allowing the user to control the operation of the various components of the beverage cooling device 20B. The touch panel includes a touch film to prevent the ingress of moisture and impurities.

[0174] By way of example only, the control system 90A may be a programmable controller that is operable to control or receive input from the drive motor 56, the chilled water pump 75, the drawer opening actuator 64 of the user-operable access mechanism 60, the circulation pump 82, the drain pump 93, the water level sensor 94, the water reservoir float valve 96, and the water inlet solenoid valve 96A. The control system 90A is configured so that the operation of the beverage cooler 20B can be programmed and automated. The control system 90A also receives input from the user interface 100 and the limit switch 62, which monitors changes in the position of the beverage drawer 35.

[0175] like Figure 17 As shown, control system 90A, like control system 90, includes a control PCB 80B powered by a 12V DC power supply 95. Compressor PCB 80C is powered by a 24V DC power supply 95A. Power supplies 95, 95A, like compressor PCB 80C, are located within outer housing 21C, while control PCB 80B is located within inner housing 21B. Control PCB 80B, located within inner housing 21B, is also used to activate water sterilizer 85A to eliminate any bacteria and mold that may have formed within beverage chamber 31. Compressor PCB 80C, located within outer housing 21C, is also used to activate water sterilizer 85 to eliminate any bacteria and mold that may have formed within water reservoir 70. Water sterilizers 85, 85A may be in the form of ultraviolet sterilizers, such as LED UV lamps.

[0176] The compressor PCB 80C supplies power to the compressor motor 84, the condenser fan motor 80A, and the circulation pump motor 82. The compressor PCB 80C also receives a signal from a temperature sensor 86 located in the water reservoir 70 to monitor and control the temperature of the cooling water in the beverage cooling device 20B. Alternatively, the temperature sensor 86 can be a thermostat or any regulating device that senses the temperature of the water in the water reservoir 70 and controls the operation of the compressor 84 to maintain the temperature of the cooling water near a desired set point.

[0177] Compressor PCB 80C can be programmed to control the operation of compressor 84 and condenser fan motor 80A to maintain the temperature of the water in water reservoir 70 at a desired level and provide a readable output of the temperature of the water in water reservoir 70 to user interface 100. Compressor PCB 80C also powers circulation pump 82 within water reservoir 70 within internal housing 21B. Circulation pump 82 is activated by control PCB 80B energizing circulation relay 83A, which closes contacts 83 on compressor PCB 80C, providing 24V DC power to circulation pump 82. If flow switch 92 is closed, circulation pump 82 flows water from water reservoir 70 through heat exchanger 91 and back to water reservoir 70.

[0178] The user interface 100 can be programmed to receive user input to select a desired temperature or cooling parameters for cooling the beverage in the beverage container 15. Once the desired temperature is selected, the control system 90B determines the time required to rapidly cool the beverage in the beverage container 15. The size or volume and type of beverage can be input into the control system 90A via the user interface 100.

[0179] The control system 90A also includes a cycle completion buzzer (not shown), which can be located on the user interface 100 or the control PCB 80B. In addition to the buzzer, an indicator light can also be used on the user interface 100 as a visual indication of the completion of the beverage cooling cycle. The touch panel of the user interface 100 can have an LCD or LED display, etc., to provide a visual indication of the operation of the beverage cooling device 20B. As mentioned above, the temperature of the cooling water in the water reservoir 70, the total cycle time, and the cycle completion indication can all be included in the display. Similarly, the user interface 100 can include a countdown timer, such as a digital clock that counts down from the total cycle time to the end of the cycle.

[0180] When the beverage cooling device 20, 20A, 20B is installed in the kitchen 10 of a residence, trailer or mobile home, or any recreational vehicle, the water reservoir 70 of the housing 21 or the inner housing 21 can be connected to a water source 96B. Figure 15The device 70 includes a water inlet solenoid valve 96A and a float valve 96 for controlling the automatic filling of the water reservoir 70 from a water source 96B. Alternatively, a liquid level sensor 94 is also provided along with the water inlet solenoid valve 96A and the float valve 96 to control the automatic filling of the water reservoir 70 from the water source 96B. The water level sensor 94 also provides a visual indication of the water level within the water reservoir 70 on the user interface 100. The solenoid valve 96A is controlled by the control PCB 80B to ensure that the float valve 96 or the liquid level sensor 94 does not fill the water reservoir 70 during a cooling cycle of the beverage cooler 20B. This means that the solenoid valve 96A will allow water from the water source 96B to refill the water reservoir 70 between cooling cycles or at any other time when the beverage cooler 20B is not cooling beverage containers 15 in the beverage chamber 31. The water inlet solenoid valve 96A is normally closed and is activated only when the float valve 96 indicates that the water reservoir 70 needs to be refilled. Alternatively, the water inlet solenoid valve 96A is normally closed and actuated only when the water level sensor 94 indicates that the water reservoir 70 needs to be refilled, but only between cooling cycles or other times when the beverage cooling device 20B is not cooling the beverage container 15 in the beverage chamber 31.

[0181] Liquid level sensor 94 allows the user to set the minimum liquid level in water reservoir 70. When the minimum level is reached, liquid level sensor 94 activates water inlet solenoid valve 96, allowing water source 96B to fill water reservoir 70, but only when control PCB 80B determines that beverage cooler 20B is not in a cooling cycle. Furthermore, using liquid level sensor 94 to control water inlet solenoid valve 96 prevents continuous power flow to water inlet solenoid valve 96 if float valve 96 is open, thereby reducing energy consumption in beverage cooler 20B. Float valve 96 opens when the water level falls below a set value and stops filling water when the water level returns to that set value. The filling level is detected by a float, which is connected to valve 96 via a handle and directly causes the valve to open and close. The height of the water surface determines the position of the float. If the float is in the upper position, the valve is closed; if the water level drops, the valve opens, and if solenoid valve 96A is closed, water from water source 96B can fill water reservoir 70. The overflow drain 97 is positioned toward the top of the water reservoir 70. If the water reservoir 70 overflows due to a malfunction of the solenoid valve 96B, an abnormality of the float valve 96, or any other reason, the overflow drain will drain the excess water from the water reservoir 70. Similar to the drain pump 93 that empties the water reservoir 70 through a drain pipe, the overflow drain 97 can be connected to a kitchen sewage pipe or any other pipe that conveys wastewater to a sewer drainage system or a vehicle gray water storage system.

[0182] In an installation where the beverage cooling device 20, 20A, 20B is not connected to a water source, a water level sensor 94 is installed within the water reservoir 70 to provide a visual indication of the water level on the user interface 100. When the water level within the water reservoir 70 drops to a predetermined level, a warning light and / or buzzer is activated on the user interface 100. Alternatively, the visual indicator on the user interface 100 can take the form of a visual scale, such as an LED scale on the user interface 100, that provides a visual indication of the water level within the water reservoir 70. The user interface 100 can also be provided with a warning light that is activated when the water level within the water reservoir 70 drops to a predetermined level. The level sensor 94 can be a float level sensor, a capacitive level sensor, an ultrasonic level sensor, a pressure transmitter, or any other level sensor capable of quantifying the water level within the water reservoir 70 and providing an indication signal to the user interface 100.

[0183] In other installations, a water outlet (not shown) can be connected to the water reservoir 70 to provide cooled drinking water from the water reservoir 70. A faucet and a pipe filter can be connected to the water reservoir 70 and placed in any desired location. For example, the faucet can be easily mounted on a sink surface or countertop to provide fresh, cooled water by pressing a handle. Alternatively, a water source can be connected to a coil within the water reservoir 70 to cool the water therein. The other end of the coil can provide cooled drinking water to the water outlet.

[0184] Advantages

[0185] Compared to existing cooling devices such as those described in the background art, the present invention has many obvious advantages.

[0186] The beverage cooling device utilizes water maintained at a desired temperature, for example, between 0°C and 1.0°C, within a water reservoir located in a cooling compartment adjacent to the beverage drawer where the beverage containers are cooled. Furthermore, during the cooling process, the water is recycled back into the water reservoir. Therefore, the beverage cooling device can be used repeatedly and continuously for extended periods of time. This issue can be further alleviated by connecting the beverage cooling device to a water source. Using water also minimizes maintenance costs for the cooling medium, unlike cooling media such as saline solutions and ethylene glycol.

[0187] The water temperature does not drop below 0°C. Therefore, there is little or no risk of the container rupturing or exploding. In addition, the use of water prevents the user from experiencing unpleasant odors that may occur due to salt deposits on the beverage container.

[0188] Rotating one or more beverage containers while supported on their sides can provide adequate movement of liquid within the beverage container without requiring high speed rotation; there is no need to generate vortexes within the beverage container to achieve the desired cooling rate as when the beverage container is in an upright position.

[0189] The beverage container or containers rotate on the two rollers and / or against the beverage drawer wall, facilitating their rotation without contacting any other components of the device. Consequently, damage to the labels on the beverage container or containers can be avoided or minimized. This can be further enhanced by using elastic sleeves on the roller shafts, as described above.

[0190] The configuration of the beverage drawer, rotating mechanism, and drive mechanism allows the rotating mechanism to be driven from a location outside the cooling chamber. This minimizes moving parts within the cooling chamber, reducing maintenance and downtime. This contrasts with the machines described in the background art, in which the rotating mechanism is located within the liquid reservoir, exposed to a harsh environment caused by the saline solution.

[0191] The beverage cooler's modest footprint allows for easy integration into residential kitchens and similar environments. Furthermore, since it requires only a DC power source, it can be easily installed in mobile vehicles such as trailers and mobile homes. The beverage cooler requires no mains power connection for operation, extending its applicability to remote locations where power is solely provided by batteries or renewable energy sources.

[0192] The beverage cooling device provides a very energy-efficient method of rapidly cooling a beverage container and its contents from approximately room temperature to a temperature in the range of 3°C to 7°C, thereby allowing the beverage to be consumed cold.

[0193] The split-system embodiment of the present invention separates the compressor and heat exchanger from the water reservoir. The external mounting of these components effectively reduces the impact of heat transfer from the compressor on the cooling water in the water tank, while also significantly reducing any operating noise that may be generated by the operation of these components in the indoor unit.

[0194] Variants

[0195] It should be understood that the foregoing is given by way of illustrative examples only and that all other modifications and variations apparent to those skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of the invention as described herein.

[0196] As used herein, the term "and / or" means "and" or "or", or both.

[0197] As used herein, a noun followed by "(s)" is intended to refer to the singular and / or plural form of the noun.

[0198] In this specification, adjectives such as first, second, left, right, upper, lower, etc. are used only to distinguish different elements or actions, and do not necessarily require or imply any actual such relationship or order. Where the context permits, reference to an integer, component, or step (or the like) should not be construed as being limited to only one of the integer, component, or step, but may refer to one or more of the integer, component, or step, etc.

[0199] The above description of various embodiments of the present invention is intended to be illustrative to those of ordinary skill in the relevant art. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to a single disclosed embodiment. As described above, numerous alternatives and variations of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art who are familiar with the above teachings. Therefore, while some alternatives have been discussed in detail, other embodiments will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art or can be developed relatively easily. The present invention is intended to encompass all alternatives, modifications, and variations of the present invention discussed herein, as well as other embodiments falling within the scope of the foregoing invention.

[0200] In this specification, the term "comprising" should be understood to have a broad meaning similar to "including", and should be understood to imply the inclusion of a specified integer, step, or group of integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other integer, step, or group of integers or steps. The definition also applies to variations of the term "comprising" such as "comprise" and "comprises".

[0201] In this specification, the terms "proximal" and "distal" refer to the user's position when operating the device. Therefore, "proximal" when used to describe a drawer assembly refers to the side corresponding to the handle side. Therefore, the term "distal" has the opposite meaning.

[0202] Any numbers or ranges described herein are approximate unless expressly stated otherwise. Recitation of ranges of values herein is intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value and each separate subrange defined by such separate values is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein.

Claims

1. A beverage cooling device for rapidly cooling a beverage in a beverage container, characterized in that: The beverage cooling device comprises: a housing having a plurality of walls defining an interior volume; a cooling chamber disposed within the interior volume of the shell; The cooling chamber comprises: a beverage chamber adapted to receive at least one beverage container, the beverage chamber being formed into a rectangular outline by a bottom wall, a top wall, and a plurality of side walls extending between the bottom wall and the top wall; a water reservoir disposed adjacent the beverage chamber, the water reservoir being formed of a plurality of walls having an open top portion, the top portion being adapted to receive the bottom wall of the beverage chamber therein; an insulating material applied to or between the inner and outer surfaces of the beverage chamber and the water reservoir, the insulating material thermally isolating the beverage chamber and the water reservoir from the interior volume of the housing; a rotating mechanism disposed in the beverage chamber and for rotating at least one beverage container thereon, the rotating mechanism having a first longitudinal axis extending through the beverage chamber and disposed parallel to a second longitudinal axis extending through the at least one beverage container when the beverage container is positioned on the rotating mechanism; a cooling fluid pump located within the water reservoir and in communication with at least one cooling fluid outlet disposed within the beverage chamber to dispense cooling fluid onto the at least one beverage container as the at least one beverage container rotates; a drain passage connecting the interior of the beverage compartment to the water reservoir, the drain passage allowing cooling fluid within the beverage compartment to drain directly back into the water reservoir; a drive assembly operatively engaged with and driving the rotating mechanism within the beverage chamber; and A refrigeration system is configured to maintain the temperature of the cooling fluid in the water reservoir within the range of 0°C to 3°C.

2. The beverage cooling device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The beverage chamber also includes at least one beverage drawer, which can be pulled out from the beverage chamber to the outside of the shell, and at least one beverage drawer has a base and four side walls, and the four side walls extend upward from the base to form a top-opening container body for accommodating at least one beverage container therein.

3. The beverage cooling device according to claim 2, characterized in that: At least one of the beverage drawers has a door located on one of the side walls, the door being adapted to close and seal an opening in one of the walls of the housing when the at least one beverage drawer is in a storage position within the beverage compartment.

4. The beverage cooling device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: At least one of the beverage drawers further includes a movement mechanism that guides the at least one beverage drawer to and from the beverage compartment of the housing.

5. The beverage cooling device according to claim 4, characterized in that The moving mechanism is a sliding mechanism.

6. The beverage cooling device according to claim 1, characterized in that The top wall of the beverage chamber is removable relative to the side walls to provide an opening into the interior volume of the beverage chamber.

7. The beverage cooling device according to claim 2, characterized in that At least one opening is provided on the bottom wall of the beverage chamber separating the beverage chamber and the water reservoir, and the opening is aligned with at least one opening in the beverage drawer base to form a drainage channel for allowing the cooling fluid to drain directly from the beverage chamber back to the water reservoir.

8. The beverage cooling device according to claim 2, characterized in that Also included is a user-operable access mechanism disposed in engagement with at least one beverage drawer, the user-operable access mechanism being configured to allow access to the at least one beverage drawer.

9. The beverage cooling device according to claim 8, characterized in that The user-operable access mechanism is an opening mechanism for moving at least one beverage drawer at least partially out of the beverage compartment to the exterior of the housing to provide access to the beverage drawer container.

10. The beverage cooling device according to claim 2, characterized in that The drive assembly includes: a drive motor disposed within the interior volume of the housing and external to the beverage chamber; a transmission assembly mounted in the beverage compartment and located outside a side wall of the at least one beverage drawer, the transmission assembly being connected to a rotating mechanism in the at least one beverage drawer; and A drive shaft has a first end connected to the drive motor and a second end removably connected to the transmission assembly in the beverage chamber, the drive shaft extending through the opening in the beverage chamber.

11. The beverage cooling device according to claim 10, characterized in that The rotation mechanism includes a pair of spaced-apart shafts mounted within the container body of the at least one beverage drawer, each shaft extending along and parallel to a first longitudinal axis and having a first end spaced apart from a second end, each shaft being rotatably mounted between two opposing side walls of the at least one beverage drawer.

12. The beverage cooling device according to claim 11, characterized in that The first end of each shaft can extend through an opening in one of the two opposing side walls of the at least one beverage drawer, the first end of each shaft can terminate outside the at least one beverage drawer within the transmission assembly, and the second end of each shaft can be supported so as to rotate on the other of the two opposing side walls of the at least one beverage drawer.

13. The beverage cooling device according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that: The transmission assembly includes a pair of drive gears or pulleys rotatably mounted on a first end of each shaft, the drive gears or pulleys being connected by a drive belt so as to rotate the shafts of the rotating mechanism in the same direction.

14. The beverage cooling device according to claim 13, characterized in that One of the pair of drive gears or pulleys has an internal gear that meshes with a drive gear on the second end of the drive shaft of the drive assembly; wherein, when the at least one beverage drawer slides into and out of the beverage compartment, the drive gear meshes with or disengages the internal gear of one of the pair of drive gears of the transmission assembly.

15. The beverage cooling device according to claim 11, characterized in that Each shaft is wrapped with a sleeve of resiliently flexible material that enhances frictional engagement with at least one beverage container.

16. The beverage cooling device according to claim 10, characterized in that The driving motor is an electric motor, and the electric motor is a DC motor.

17. A beverage cooling device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The limit switch monitors the position of at least one beverage drawer. When the at least one beverage drawer is removed from the beverage chamber, the contact of the limit switch is disconnected, and the limit switch stops the operation of the drive motor of the drive assembly and the beverage cooling device.

18. The beverage cooling device according to claim 1, wherein The at least one cooling fluid outlet is a nozzle located in the beverage chamber for distributing cooling fluid onto the at least one beverage container when the at least one beverage container is rotated.

19. The beverage cooling device according to claim 1, wherein The refrigeration system comprises: A compressor and condenser mounted within the housing and outside the cooling chamber; and An evaporator coil is in fluid communication with the condenser and in operative engagement with the water reservoir for cooling fluid in the water reservoir.

20. The beverage cooling device according to claim 19, characterized in that The evaporator coil is located in the water reservoir and is in contact with the fluid in the water reservoir.

21. The beverage cooling device according to claim 19 or 20, characterized in that A circulation pump is in fluid communication with the water reservoir for circulating the fluid in the water reservoir.

22. The beverage cooling device according to claim 21, characterized in that The circulating pump is installed in the water reservoir.

23. The beverage cooling device according to claim 1, characterized in that The refrigeration system comprises: a compressor and a condenser mounted within the housing and located outside the cooling chamber; Heat exchangers located near the compressor and condenser; and A circulating pump is located within the water reservoir; the circulating pump circulates the fluid through the heat exchanger and returns the cooled fluid to the water reservoir.

24. The beverage cooling device according to claim 1, wherein The refrigeration system comprises: Compressor and condenser mounted inside the shell and outside the cooling chamber; an evaporator coil in operative engagement with the water reservoir for cooling liquid in the water reservoir; a heat exchanger located external to the water reservoir; a circulation pump located within the water reservoir; The circulating pump circulates the fluid from the water reservoir through the heat exchanger and returns the cooled fluid to the water reservoir.

25. The beverage cooling device according to claim 1, wherein There are two shells.

26. The beverage cooling device according to claim 25, characterized in that The two shells include a first indoor shell and a second outdoor shell; the beverage chamber and the water storage tank of the cooling bin are installed in the first indoor shell; the compressor, the condenser and the heat exchanger located near the compressor and the condenser are installed in the second outdoor shell.

27. The beverage cooling device according to claim 25 or 26, characterized in that The second outdoor housing is in fluid communication with the water reservoir within the first indoor housing.

28. The beverage cooling device according to any one of claims 25 to 27, characterized in that The flow switch is connected to the inlet pipeline between the circulation pump in the water reservoir of the first indoor shell and the inlet of the heat exchanger in the second outdoor shell; when there is no fluid flowing in the inlet pipeline, the flow switch isolates the compressor.

29. A beverage cooling device according to any preceding claim, characterised in that The cooling fluid is water.

30. The beverage cooling device according to claim 29, wherein The first water sterilizer is located in the water reservoir and the second water sterilizer is located in the beverage chamber, the first water sterilizer and the second water sterilizer are used to provide clean and effective water purification in the water reservoir and the beverage chamber.

31. The beverage cooling device according to claim 30, characterized in that The first water sterilizer and the second water sterilizer are ultraviolet LED sterilizers.

32. A beverage cooling device according to any preceding claim, wherein: The beverage cooling device also includes a main controller located within the interior volume of the shell or the first indoor shell, for controlling the operation of the beverage cooling device; the main controller is electrically connected to the compressor control unit and at least one power supply, both of which are located within the shell, the first indoor shell or the second outdoor shell.

33. The beverage cooling device according to claim 32, characterized in that At least one power source is a DC power source.

34. The beverage cooling device according to claim 32 or 33, characterized in that The main controller is a programmable controller that is operatively engaged with at least the drive assembly and the cooling water pump. The main controller is configured to program and automate the operation of the beverage cooling device.

35. A beverage cooling device according to any one of claims 32 to 34, characterized in that The main controller further includes a user interface mounted on the housing or one of the walls of the first indoor housing, the user interface enabling a user to input any one or more of the following: i. the size or volume of at least one beverage container in the beverage compartment; or ii. A cooling parameter related to the degree to which the beverage in the beverage chamber is to be cooled.

36. The beverage cooling device according to claim 35, characterized in that Once the size or volume of the beverage container or the cooling parameters are input into the user interface, the main controller calculates the time required to quickly cool the beverage in the beverage container to a temperature below 7°C so that the cold beverage can be consumed.

37. A beverage cooling device according to any preceding claim, characterised in that The beverage cooling device further includes a temperature sensor located within the water reservoir for monitoring the temperature of the cooling fluid.

38. The beverage cooling device according to claim 37, characterized in that The temperature sensor is electrically connected to the compressor control unit, and the temperature sensor turns the compressor on and off to maintain the temperature of the cooling fluid in the water reservoir within the range of 0°C to 3°C.

39. A beverage cooling device according to any preceding claim, characterised in that The beverage cooling device also includes a liquid level sensor located in the water reservoir, the liquid level sensor providing a liquid level indication on the user interface.

40. A beverage cooling device according to any preceding claim, wherein: The beverage cooling device also includes a drain pump in the water reservoir and a drain pump activation switch on the user interface, the drain pump enabling a user to drain fluid from the water reservoir.

41. A beverage cooling device according to any preceding claim, wherein: The refrigeration system, drive mechanism, cooling water pump, user-operable pick-and-place mechanism and drain pump are powered by a DC power supply.

42. A beverage cooling device according to any preceding claim, wherein: The beverage cooling device is installed in a residence; a mains connection is provided to power the beverage cooling device, and the beverage cooling device further comprises an AC / DC converter.

43. The beverage cooling device according to claim 42, characterized in that A mains connection is provided to power the second outdoor housing, and an AC / DC converter is provided in the second outdoor housing.

44. A beverage cooling device according to any preceding claim, wherein: The beverage cooling device is connected to a water supply line for filling water into the water reservoir in the housing or the first indoor housing.

45. The beverage cooling device according to claim 44, characterized in that A solenoid valve is installed in the water supply line, which prevents water from flowing into the water reservoir during a cooling cycle of the beverage cooling device.

46. The beverage cooling device according to claim 44 or 45, characterized in that A float valve is arranged in the water reservoir and connected to the water supply line, and the float valve is used for automatically controlling the water level in the water reservoir.

47. A beverage cooling device according to any one of claims 44 to 46, characterized in that The water reservoir of the beverage cooling device further includes an overflow drain positioned toward a top portion of the water reservoir to drain excess fluid from the water reservoir.

48. The beverage cooling device according to claim 40 or 47, characterized in that The drain pump and overflow drain pipe are connected to the kitchen sewage pipe or other pipes that convey or store waste water from the sewage drainage system.

49. The beverage cooling device according to claim 6, characterized in that The beverage cooling device also includes a top wall of a removable beverage compartment, and one wall of the housing includes a hinged door that can be opened to enable placement and removal of at least one beverage container in the beverage compartment.

50. A beverage cooling device according to any preceding claim, wherein: Beverage coolers are freestanding or portable units that sit on a countertop or other flat surface.

51. The beverage cooling device according to claim 50, characterized in that When installed as a standalone or portable unit, a mains connection is provided to power the beverage cooling unit and the beverage cooling unit also includes an AC / DC converter.

52. The beverage cooling device according to claim 50, characterized in that When installed as a stand-alone or portable unit, the beverage cooling device is powered by a DC power source.

53. The beverage cooling device according to claim 51 or 52, characterized in that The beverage cooling device may be freestanding or portable for use in indoor environments, outdoor environments, or within recreational vehicles.

54. The beverage cooling device according to claim 53, characterized in that When installed in an outdoor environment or in a recreational vehicle, the DC power source is a battery or renewable energy source; the drain pump and overflow drain are connected to a water storage tank or vehicle grey water storage system.

55. A beverage cooling device according to any preceding claim, wherein: The walls of the beverage chamber, the water reservoir and the at least one beverage drawer may be made of a plastic material by a molding process.

56. The beverage cooling device according to claim 55, characterized in that The plastic material may be polyethylene or high density polyethylene, and the molding process is a rotational molding process.

57. A method for rapidly cooling a beverage, comprising the steps of: i. Providing a beverage cooling device according to any one of claims 1-56; ii. Maintain the water temperature in the water reservoir between 0°C and 3°C; iii. Using a rotating mechanism to rotate at least one beverage container at a predetermined time; as well as iv. pumping cooling water from the water reservoir to at least one cooling water outlet so that the cooling water impinges on the or each rotating beverage container at a predetermined time.

58. The method according to claim 57, wherein The method further includes the step of draining water from the at least one beverage drawer back into the water reservoir.

59. The method according to claim 57 or 58, characterized in that The step of maintaining the water temperature in the water reservoir at 0°C to 3°C includes the step of circulating the water in the water reservoir using a circulation pump placed in the water reservoir.

60. The method according to any one of claims 57 to 60, characterized in that The method further includes the step of sterilizing the water in the water reservoir and the at least one beverage drawer.

61. A beverage cooling device for rapidly cooling a beverage in a container, characterized in that: The beverage cooling device comprises: a housing having a plurality of walls defining an interior volume; a cooling chamber disposed within the interior volume of the shell; The cooling chamber comprises: a beverage chamber forming a rectangular outline formed by a bottom wall, a top wall, and a plurality of side walls; a water reservoir formed of a plurality of walls having an open top portion for receiving a bottom wall of the beverage chamber therein; at least one beverage drawer capable of being pulled out from the beverage chamber to the exterior of the housing, at least one of the beverage drawers having a base having four side walls extending upward from the base to form a top-opening container body; at least one beverage container having a longitudinal axis passing through the at least one beverage container; a rotating mechanism disposed in the at least one beverage drawer and extending along a longitudinal axis, and adapted to rotate at least one beverage container thereon, wherein when the beverage container is disposed on the rotating mechanism, the longitudinal axis of the rotating mechanism is disposed parallel to a longitudinal axis passing through the at least one beverage container; a cooling fluid pump in the water reservoir in communication with the at least one cooling fluid outlet in the beverage chamber for dispensing cooling fluid onto the at least one beverage container as the at least one beverage container rotates; a drive assembly operatively engaged with and driving a rotating mechanism in the beverage drawer of the beverage compartment; and A refrigeration system is configured to maintain the temperature of the cooling fluid in the water reservoir within the range of 0°C to 3°C.

62. The beverage cooling device according to claim 61, characterized in that The cooling bin further includes an insulating material applied to the inner or outer surfaces of the beverage chamber and the water reservoir or between the inner and outer surfaces thereof, the insulating material thermally isolating the beverage chamber and the water reservoir from the interior volume of the housing.

63. The beverage cooling device according to claim 61, characterized in that The drainage channel internally communicates the beverage chamber with the water reservoir, and the drainage channel enables the cooling fluid in the beverage chamber to be directly drained back to the water reservoir.

64. A beverage cooling device according to any one of claims 61 to 63, characterized in that The beverage cooling device further comprises one or more technical features in claims 3-56.

65. A beverage cooling device for rapidly cooling a beverage in a container, characterized in that: The beverage cooling device comprises: a first indoor housing having a plurality of walls defining an interior volume; a second outdoor housing having a plurality of walls defining an interior volume; A cooling chamber is disposed within the interior volume of the first indoor shell; The cooling chamber comprises: a beverage chamber forming a rectangular outline formed by a bottom wall, a top wall, and a plurality of side walls; a water reservoir formed of a plurality of walls having an open top portion adapted to receive the bottom wall of the beverage chamber therein; at least one beverage drawer, capable of being pulled out from the beverage chamber to the exterior of the first indoor housing, wherein at least one of the beverage drawers has a base having four side walls extending upward from the base to form a top-opening container body; at least one beverage container having a longitudinal axis passing through at least one of the beverage containers; a rotating mechanism disposed in the at least one beverage drawer and extending along a longitudinal axis, and configured to rotate the at least one beverage container thereon; when the beverage container is positioned on the rotating mechanism, the longitudinal axis of the rotating mechanism is parallel to a longitudinal axis passing through the at least one beverage container; and a cooling fluid pump in the water reservoir in communication with the at least one cooling fluid outlet in the beverage chamber for dispensing cooling fluid onto the at least one beverage container as the at least one beverage container rotates; a drive assembly operatively engaged with and driving a rotating mechanism in the beverage drawer of the beverage compartment; and A refrigeration system is provided in the second outdoor housing to maintain the temperature of the cooling fluid in the water reservoir within a range of 0°C to 3°C.

66. The beverage cooling device according to claim 65, characterized in that The compressor, condenser and heat exchanger of the refrigeration system are located in the second outdoor casing.

67. The beverage cooling device according to claim 65 or 66, characterized in that The second outdoor housing is in fluid communication with the water reservoir within the first indoor housing.

68. A beverage cooling device according to any one of claims 65 to 67, characterized in that The flow switch is connected to the inlet pipeline between the circulation pump in the water reservoir of the first indoor housing and the inlet of the heat exchanger in the second outdoor housing. When there is no fluid flowing in the inlet pipeline, the flow switch can isolate the compressor.

69. A beverage cooling device according to any one of claims 65 to 68, characterized in that The beverage cooling device further comprises one or more technical features of claims 3-24 or claims 29-56.

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