Mobile refreshment cart with thermoelectric cooling
The mobile food and beverage cart employs thermoelectric cooling with a thermally conductive plate and airflow to address inefficiencies in conventional carts, ensuring effective cooling and visibility while reducing waste.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2024165288
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2019-01-21
- Filing Date
- 2024-09-24
- Publication Date
- 2025-01-23
AI Technical Summary
Conventional food and beverage carts are inefficient, wasteful, or ineffective due to reliance on refrigerants or ice, which can be costly, bulky, and reduce visibility or melt quickly, impacting sales and efficiency.
A mobile food and beverage cart with an open chamber and thermoelectric cooling system, utilizing a thermally conductive plate and thermoelectric coolers to extract heat, combined with airflow to maintain temperature and visibility, and a fan to dissipate heat into the environment.
The system provides efficient cooling without refrigerants, maintains visibility, and reduces waste by using thermoelectric cooling to keep beverages cold while promoting sales through an open design.
Smart Images
Figure 2025011122000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical field]
[0001] (Related Technology) This application claims priority to and benefits from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 756,985, entitled "Mobile Food and Beverage Cart with Thermoelectric Cooling," filed November 7, 2018, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein for all purposes. [Background technology]
[0002] This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects that may be related to various aspects of the present technology that are described and / or claimed below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present disclosure. As such, it should be understood that this description is to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art.
[0003] Food and beverage carts can be used to store food and beverage items for transportation and / or sale at various entertainment venues, such as amusement parks. Certain conventional food and beverage carts can include a conventional refrigeration cycle (e.g., utilizing a refrigerant) configured to cool the food and beverage items. Certain other conventional food and beverage carts do not include a cooling device, but instead contain ice within an insulated compartment in which the food or beverage items are stored. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0004] However, such conventional food and beverage carts may be inefficient, wasteful, ineffective, or a combination thereof. Accordingly, a need is now recognized for an improved food and beverage cart. [Means for solving the problem]
[0005] Certain embodiments commensurate in scope with the originally claimed subject matter are summarized below. These embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, but rather, these embodiments are intended only to provide a brief summary of certain disclosed implementations. Indeed, the disclosure may encompass a variety of forms that may be similar to or different from the embodiments set forth below.
[0006] In one aspect of the disclosure, a mobile food and beverage cart includes an open food and beverage chamber exposed to an environment surrounding the mobile food and beverage cart and configured to accommodate a food and beverage container therein. The mobile food and beverage cart also includes a thermally conductive plate having a first surface facing the interior of the open food and beverage chamber and further having a second surface opposite the first surface. The mobile food and beverage cart also includes a thermoelectric cooler coupled to and in direct contact with the second surface of the thermally conductive plate. The thermoelectric cooler is configured to extract heat from the thermally conductive plate via the second surface of the thermally conductive plate. The food and beverage cart also includes a fan configured to urge an airflow over a portion of the thermoelectric cooler and into the environment such that the airflow extracts heat from the portion of the thermoelectric cooler and releases the heat into the environment.
[0007] In another aspect of the disclosure, a cooling assembly for a food and beverage cart includes a container divided into an upper container section and a lower container section by a container dividing wall. The cooling assembly also includes a thermally conductive plate disposed within the upper container section and separated from the container dividing wall by a gap. A first surface of the thermally conductive plate faces an interior of a food and beverage chamber of the cooling assembly disposed within the upper container section and configured to accommodate a food and beverage container, and a second surface of the thermally conductive plate opposite the first surface faces the gap. The cooling assembly also includes a thermoelectric cooler across the lower container section and the upper container section by an opening in the container dividing wall. The thermoelectric cooler is configured to directly contact the second surface of the thermally conductive plate and extract heat from the thermally conductive plate via the second surface.
[0008] In another aspect of the disclosure, a mobile food and beverage cart includes a food and beverage chamber configured to receive a food and beverage container. The mobile food and beverage cart also includes a thermally conductive plate having a first surface facing an interior of the food and beverage chamber and partially defining the food and beverage chamber, and a second surface disposed opposite the first surface. The mobile food and beverage cart also includes a thermoelectric cooler coupled to the second surface of the thermally conductive plate and configured to extract heat through the second surface of the thermally conductive plate. The mobile food and beverage cart also includes a fan configured to urge an airflow over a portion of the thermoelectric cooler and into an environment surrounding the mobile food and beverage cart, such that the airflow extracts heat from the thermoelectric cooler and releases the heat into the environment.
[0009] The above and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure can be better understood by reading the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings, in which like numerals refer to the same elements throughout. [Brief description of the drawings]
[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of an amusement park having mobile food and beverage carts in accordance with the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a mobile food and beverage cart according to the present disclosure. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a mobile food and beverage cart according to the present disclosure. [Figure 4] 2 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a thermoelectric circuit that can be used in a thermoelectric cooler utilized in the mobile food and beverage cart of FIG. 1 according to the present disclosure. [Diagram 5] 2 is a rear perspective view of an embodiment of a portion of the mobile food and beverage cart of FIG. 1 in accordance with the present disclosure. [Figure 6] 2 is a rear elevational view of an embodiment of a portion of the mobile food and beverage cart of FIG. 1 in accordance with the present disclosure. [Figure 7] 7 is a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of the portion of the mobile food and beverage cart of FIG. 1 shown in FIG. 6 taken along line 7-7 in FIG. 6 according to the present disclosure. [Figure 8]2 is a schematic top view of an embodiment of a thermally conductive plate for use in the mobile food and beverage cart of FIG. 1 in accordance with the present disclosure. [Figure 9] 9 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the thermally conductive plate of FIG. 8 taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 8 in accordance with the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0011] The disclosed embodiments are directed to a food and beverage cart, such as a beverage cart. More particularly, the disclosed embodiments are directed to a mobile food and beverage cart having thermoelectric cooling of a food and beverage chamber in which food and beverages are placed, such as an open or exposed food and beverage chamber.
[0012] Food and beverage carts can be used to store food and beverage items for transportation and / or sale at various entertainment venues, such as amusement parks, stadiums, arenas, theaters, boardwalks, and the like. Certain conventional food and beverage carts can include a conventional refrigeration cycle (e.g., utilizing a refrigerant) configured to cool the food and beverage items. Certain other conventional food and beverage carts do not include a cooling device, but instead store ice in an insulated compartment in which the food or beverage items are stored. However, such conventional food and beverage carts can be inefficient, wasteful, ineffective, or a combination thereof. Thus, a need is now recognized for an improved food and beverage cart. For example, conventional food and beverage carts that simply store ice in an insulated cavity can include a lid over the cavity to seal the cavity so that the ice does not melt. Closing the insulated cavity reduces the visibility of the beverages to potential customers, resulting in reduced sales.
[0013] Other conventional food and beverage carts that house ice in an insulated cavity can be open-topped, facilitating beverage promotion. However, open-top food and beverage carts that utilize ice instead of active cooling can be inefficient because the ice can melt quickly when exposed to heat. Other conventional food and beverage carts can include active refrigeration cycles, which may involve the use of expensive components and / or chemicals such as refrigerants. In general, conventional food and beverage carts, including but not limited to those described above, can be inefficient, wasteful, ineffective, bulky, immobile, or a combination thereof.
[0014] In accordance with the present disclosure, a food and beverage cart, such as a beverage cart, includes a cooling assembly having a container that at least partially defines a food and beverage chamber that is open or exposed to an environment surrounding the food and beverage cart in a manner that promotes promotion of food and beverages disposed and cooled within the food and beverage chamber to potential customers.
[0015] The cooling vessel includes a vessel dividing wall that divides the cooling vessel into two compartments, e.g., an upper compartment and a lower compartment. In some embodiments, the cooling vessel dividing vessel can be an extension of the structure of the mobile food and beverage cart, as described in detail with reference to the drawings. In other embodiments, the vessel and / or vessel dividing wall can be integrally formed into the structure of the mobile food and beverage cart.
[0016] For example, a thermally conductive plate of a disclosed aluminum alloy material suitable for conductive heat transfer and of a particular thickness can be placed in the upper section of the cooling vessel and separated from the vessel partition by a gap that thermally separates the vessel partition from the thermally conductive plate. That is, the upper section of the cooling vessel can have a gap above the cooling wall and below the thermally conductive plate, a thermally conductive plate, and a food and beverage chamber above the thermally conductive plate. One or more thermoelectric coolers can cross or span between the upper and lower sections of the cooling vessel. For example, one or more thermoelectric coolers can extend from the lower section through one or more openings in the vessel partition into the upper section (e.g., the gap in the upper section). In certain embodiments, each of the thermoelectric coolers can include a Peltier element and can be in contact with the thermally conductive plate. A power input to the thermoelectric cooler, for example, direct current provided by an inverter receiving alternating current from an external power source, causes the Peltier effect, causing the thermoelectric cooler to extract heat from the thermally conductive plate. Each thermoelectric cooler may be disposed in a corresponding "Venturi box" with components that facilitate airflow through the Venturi box and over a portion of the thermoelectric cooler (e.g., the heat sink of the thermoelectric cooler) to the environment. Thus, the airflow facilitated by the Venturi box and associated components (e.g., fan components) may carry heat extracted from the thermally conductive plate by the thermoelectric cooler to the environment.
[0017] Depending on the power input, the design or ratings of the above components and / or other features, the disclosed cooling assembly can generate an ice sheet in the food and beverage chamber on a thermally conductive plate and / or otherwise cool the food and beverage chamber to a temperature suitable for cooling beverages and other food and beverages. Additionally, a thermostat can monitor the temperature of the various components and cause an inverter to adjust the power input to one or more thermoelectric coolers, thereby facilitating precise temperature control of the food and beverage chamber. These and other features are described in detail below with reference to the drawings.
[0018] Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of an amusement park 10 having various attractions 12. The attractions 12 may include, for example, rides, roller coasters, exhibits, tours, dining facilities, or other attractions. A portion of the attraction 12 and / or surrounding areas may include areas 18 where refreshments, such as food and beverages, are sold or may be sold. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, each area 18 may include an external power source 20, such as a wall outlet, which may be utilized to power the mobile food and beverage carts 22. According to this embodiment, the mobile food and beverage carts 22 may be configured to cool the food and beverages by thermoelectric cooling. That is, the mobile food and beverage carts 22 may include one or more thermoelectric coolers that may receive power input, for example, from an inverter of the mobile food and beverage carts 22 that converts alternating current from the external power source 20 into direct current, thereby creating a Peltier effect. Through the Peltier effect, the thermoelectric cooler removes heat from the food and beverage chamber of the mobile food and beverage cart 22, and in particular from a thermally conductive plate that defines a portion of the food and beverage chamber.
[0019] 2 and 3 are front perspective views of the embodiment of the mobile food and beverage cart 22 of FIG. 1, showing the structure and movement features of the mobile food and beverage cart 22. While the enclosure 23 is shown in FIG. 2, the enclosure 23 is removed in FIG. 3 to show the frame 24 of the mobile beverage cart 22. The enclosure 23 can hide aesthetically undesirable working parts of the mobile food and beverage cart 22 from view. In FIGS. 2 and 3, the mobile beverage cart 22 includes a cooling container 26 having an open or exposed top 28. That is, the top 28 of the cooling container 26 is uncovered or exposed to the environment 25. The mobile food and beverage cart 22 also includes wheels 29 in the illustrated embodiment, which facilitates movement of the mobile food and beverage cart 22 between various attractions, such as the attractions 12 shown in FIG. 1.
[0020] Focusing on FIG. 3, the cooling vessel 26 can extend above and below the wall 27 of the frame 24 of the mobile food and beverage cart 22. In some embodiments, the wall 27 of the mobile food and beverage cart 22 can extend into the cooling vessel 26 and divide the cooling vessel 26 into an upper section and a lower section. In other embodiments, the cooling vessel 26 can include a wall that is separate from the illustrated wall 27, which divides the cooling vessel 26 into an upper section and a lower section. In any such embodiment, the wall that divides the cooling vessel 26 into two sections, e.g., an upper and lower section, can be referred to as a "vessel dividing wall." The vessel dividing wall and the upper and lower sections of the cooling vessel 26 will be described in detail with reference to subsequent figures, however, it should be understood that certain embodiments can employ the disclosed cooling components and techniques without utilizing a vessel dividing wall that divides the cooling vessel 26 into the above-mentioned sections. The embodiments described below with reference to subsequent figures include a vessel dividing wall and are further intended to be non-limiting examples of the mobile food and beverage cart 22 disclosed herein.
[0021] The cooling components of the disclosed mobile food and beverage cart 22 are described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 5-9. First, thermoelectric cooling is described with respect to an embodiment of a thermoelectric circuit 30 that can be employed in the thermoelectric cooler disclosed herein, as shown generally in FIG. 4. For example, the thermoelectric circuit 30 of FIG. 4 includes a ceramic layer 32 that contacts a substrate 34 (e.g., a thermally conductive plate that is cooled by the thermoelectric circuit 30). The thermoelectric circuit 30 also includes an additional ceramic layer 35 on an opposite end of the thermoelectric circuit 30. Semiconductor elements, such as a p-type semiconductor element 38 and an n-type semiconductor element 40, can be located between the ceramic layer 32 and the additional ceramic layer 35. However, a conductive layer 42 is disposed between and contacts the ceramic layer 32 and the semiconductor elements 38, 40. That is, the conductive layer 42 separates the ceramic layer 32 from the semiconductor elements 38, 40. Similarly, the additional conductive layers 44 and 46 are disposed between the additional ceramic layer 35 and the semiconductor elements 38, 40, respectively. That is, a first additional conductive layer 44 separates the p-type semiconductor element 38 and the additional ceramic layer 35, and a second additional conductive layer 46 separates the n-type semiconductor element 40 and the additional ceramic layer 35. The additional conductive layers 44, 46 can be separated from one another as shown.
[0022] As shown, when direct current is provided from a direct current (DC) power source 48 (e.g., an inverter that converts alternating current from a wall outlet to direct current), the DC causes the electron conductor to transfer heat from the conductive layer 42 to the additional conductive layers 44, 46 via the Peltier effect, as shown by arrows 54. The additional conductive layers 44, 46 can be coupled to the heat sink 52 via an additional ceramic layer 35, which can function to allow conductive heat transfer while electrically insulating the heat sink 52. The conductive layer 42 can be coupled to a substrate 34, such as a thermally conductive plate of the disclosed mobile food and beverage cart cooling assembly, via the ceramic layer 32. That is, the ceramic layer 32 can function to allow conductive heat transfer while electrically insulating the substrate 34.
[0023] With the above description in mind, FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of an embodiment of a portion of the mobile food and beverage cart 22 of FIG. 1. The illustrated mobile food and beverage cart 22 includes the cooling receptacle 26 described above. As described above, the cooling receptacle 26 may be partially or entirely integral with the frame 24 of the mobile food and beverage cart 22. That is, a particular panel, wall, or frame of the cooling receptacle 26 may be integral with a particular panel, wall, or frame of the structure of the mobile food and beverage cart 22. The cooling receptacle 26 and the components contained therein and configured to facilitate the cooling features described below may be collectively referred to as a "cooling assembly" according to the present disclosure.
[0024] In the illustrated embodiment, cooling vessel 26 includes a vessel dividing wall 27 that divides cooling vessel 26 into a first compartment, referred to herein as upper compartment 60, and a second compartment, referred to herein as lower compartment 62. In some embodiments, vessel dividing wall 27 and / or cooling vessel 26 are actuatable relative to one another, e.g., the sizes of upper compartment 60 and lower compartment 62 are adjustable. Upper compartment 60 in FIG. 5 is exposed for purposes of revealing the components disposed therein. However, the illustrated side of upper compartment 60 may be covered by a panel of cooling vessel 26 during operation.
[0025] The lower section 62 of the cooling vessel 26 may be fully or partially exposed to allow air to pass through the components disposed therein. In other words, the illustrated face of the upper section 60 of the cooling vessel 26 may be closed during operation, while the lower section 62 may be exposed during operation. The upper section 60 may include the above-mentioned thermally conductive plate 34 disposed therein. The thermally conductive plate 34 may be coupled to one or more panels 66 of the cooling vessel 26. As shown, the thermally conductive plate 34 may be separated from the vessel dividing wall 27 by a gap 68, which gap 65 thermally isolates the vessel dividing wall 27 from the thermally conductive plate 34. As mentioned above, the vessel dividing wall 27 may be integrally formed or part of the frame 24 of the mobile food and beverage cart 22, or the vessel dividing wall 27 may be separate from and coupled to the frame 24 of the mobile food and beverage cart 22.
[0026] While the illustrated embodiment includes two thermoelectric coolers 70, other embodiments may include only one thermoelectric cooler or more than two thermoelectric coolers. While the illustrated embodiment shows the thermoelectric cooler 70 diagrammatically (e.g., the fins or heat sink of the thermoelectric cooler 70 are shown), FIG. 4 and the corresponding description provide relevant context regarding the components of the thermoelectric circuit 30 utilizing the illustrated thermoelectric cooler 70 (e.g., the ceramic layer 32, the additional ceramic layer 35, the conductive layer 42, the additional conductive layers 44, 46, and the semiconductor elements 38, 40). That is, the components of the thermoelectric circuit 30 shown in FIG. 4 may be disposed, for example, on the backside of the fins 80 shown in FIG. 5, which function as a heat sink for the thermoelectric cooler 70.
[0027] As shown, each thermoelectric cooler 70 can traverse between the upper and lower compartments 60 and 62 of the cooling vessel 26, for example, through an opening 72 in the vessel dividing wall 27. Thus, the thermoelectric cooler 70 can span the gap 68 in the upper compartment 60 of the cooling vessel 26. Also, the thermoelectric cooler 70 is in direct contact with the lower surface 74 of the thermally conductive plate. When direct current is applied to the thermoelectric cooler 70, for example, via an inverter 79 connected to an external power source, such as a wall outlet, the thermoelectric cooler 70 extracts heat through the lower surface 74 of the thermally conductive plate 34 and cools the upper surface 76 of the thermally conductive plate 34. The food and beverage chamber 78 is disposed within the upper compartment 60 of the cooling vessel 26 and above the upper surface 76 of the thermally conductive plate 34. Thus, heat is extracted from the food and beverage chamber 78 through the thermally conductive plate 34 toward the heat sink 80 (e.g., fins) of the thermoelectric cooler 70.
[0028] In addition to the conductive heat transfer discussed above, heat stored within the heat sink 80 of the thermoelectric cooler 70 can be transferred to the surrounding environment 25. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, a venturi box 82, such as an L-shaped venturi box 82, can be used to facilitate heat transfer to the surrounding environment 25. Each venturi box 82 can house a thermoelectric cooler 7, a fan 84, and a temperature regulator, such as a thermostat 86, as discussed above. The fan 84 can be configured to draw airflow through an inlet 85 of the venturi box 82 and urge the airflow through at least a portion of the heat sink 80. For example, FIG. 6 is a rear view of an embodiment of a portion of the mobile food and beverage cart 22 of FIG. 1, showing the venturi boxes 82, each having a thermoelectric cooler 70, the fan 84, and a thermostat 86 disposed therein. 6, the fan 84, thermostat 86, and / or inverter 79 may operate in a feedback loop to control the temperature of the food and beverage chamber 78 and / or corresponding components to ensure the desired operation of the thermoelectric cooler 70. In practice, it may be beneficial to cool the food and beverage chamber 78 to a particular temperature suitable for cooling a beverage and / or to cool the heat sink 80 of the thermoelectric cooler 70 to reduce the power required to maintain a target temperature of the food and beverage chamber 78.
[0029] In FIG. 6 , each Venturi box 82 includes a thermoelectric cooler 70, a corresponding heat sink 80, a fan 84, and a thermostat 86. An inverter 79, which in the illustrated embodiment is disposed in the gap between the two thermoelectric coolers 70, may be electrically or electronically connected to the fan 84, thermostat 86, and thermoelectric cooler 70 of each Venturi box 82. The thermostat 86 may monitor the temperature of one or more components or zones of the cooling vessel 26. For example, the thermostat 86 may include a sensor configured to monitor the temperature of the corresponding heat sink 80, which may indicate the temperature of other portions of the cooling vessel 26, such as the food and beverage chamber 78 having an open or exposed top 28. However, the sensor of the thermostat 86 or a sensor communicatively connected to the thermostat may sample the temperature of a space other than the components or heat sink 80. Based on the temperature monitored by the thermostat 86, the power input to the fan 84 (e.g., to vary the fan speed or torque) and / or the power input to the thermoelectric cooler 70 (e.g., to vary the cooling effect of the thermoelectric cooler) can be adjusted to obtain a target temperature. For an exemplary configuration, the power input from a wall outlet may be suitable to generate an ice sheet on the upper surface 76 of the thermally conductive plate 34 (the upper surface 76 faces the food and beverage chamber 78). That is, the low temperature in the food and beverage chamber 78 can condense fluid (e.g., water) from the air inside the exposed food and beverage chamber 78, resulting in an ice sheet on the upper surface 76 of the thermally conductive plate 34. After operation of the cooling vessel 26 or assembly, the ice can melt and flow out of the food and beverage chamber 78 through the drain 90.
[0030] 7 is a cross-sectional side view of the embodiment of the cooling vessel 26 of FIG. 6 taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 6. In the illustrated embodiment, only one thermoelectric cooler 70 and corresponding venturi box 82 are shown due to the cross-section selected. In the illustrated embodiment, a fan 84 draws airflow through an inlet 85 of the venturi box 82 and directs the airflow over the thermoelectric cooler heat sink 80 (e.g., fins). The airflow may be pushed through an outlet 92 of the venturi box 82 toward an exposed rear end 94 of the lower section 62 of the cooling vessel 26. As described above, the air gap 68 between the vessel dividing wall 27 and the thermally conductive plate 34 may be enclosed by a back panel 96 of the cooling vessel 26, while the rear end 94 of the lower section 62 of the cooling vessel 26 is exposed to the environment 25, enabling the airflow described above. As the air passes through the heat sink 80 toward the environment 25, heat is transferred away from the heat sink 80 and into the environment 25.
[0031] FIG. 8 is a schematic top view of an embodiment of the thermally conductive plate 34 for use with the mobile food and beverage cart 22 of FIG. 1. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the thermally conductive plate 34 of FIG. 8 taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 8. In the embodiment described with respect to FIGS. 4-7, the thermally conductive plate 34 includes a substantially smooth and substantially continuous upper surface 76, whereas the thermally conductive plate 34 of FIGS. 8 and 9 includes a beverage-receiving extension 100. The beverage-receiving extension 100 can be, for example, cylindrical and can further define a receptacle configured to receive a cylindrically shaped beverage container. Other shapes of the extension 100 are possible. The extension 100 can include a thermally conductive component. In some embodiments, the extension 100 can be integrally formed with a base 102 of the thermally conductive plate 34. The base 102 of the thermally conductive plate 34 can be sized to promote optimal conductive heat transfer in accordance with the above description, regardless of whether it includes the illustrated extension 100. As shown in FIG. 8, the base 102 of the thermally conductive plate 34 can have a length 104 of, for example, 27 inches and a width 106 of, for example, 23 inches, although other sizes can be used. Additionally, as shown in FIG. 9, the base 102 of the thermally conductive plate 34 (i.e., without the extensions 100) can have a height 108 (or "thickness") of, for example, 0.5 inches. In other embodiments, the base 102 of the thermally conductive plate 34 can have a length 104 of about 20-35 inches, a width 106 of about 15-30 inches, and / or a height 108 of about 0.25-0.75 inches. Thus, in certain embodiments, the ratio of width 106:length 104:height 108 can be about 15-30:20-35:0.25-0.75.
[0032] While only certain features of the disclosure have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications and changes will occur to those skilled in the art and it is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes which fall within the true spirit of the disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]
[0033] 22 Mobile food and beverage cart 24 Frames 25 Environment 26 cooling container 27 wall 28 top 29 Wheels
Claims
1. A mobile food and beverage cart, comprising: an open food and beverage chamber exposed to an environment surrounding the mobile food and beverage cart and configured to receive a food and beverage container therein; a thermally conductive plate having a first surface facing the interior of the open food and beverage chamber and a second surface opposite the first surface; a thermoelectric cooler coupled to and in direct contact with the second surface of the thermally conductive plate and configured to extract heat from the thermally conductive plate through the second surface of the thermally conductive plate; a fan configured to propel the airflow over the portion of the thermoelectric cooler and into the environment such that the airflow extracts heat from the portion of the thermoelectric cooler and releases the heat to the environment; A mobile food and beverage cart comprising:
2. 2. The mobile food and beverage cart of claim 1, comprising a container in which the open food and beverage chamber, the thermal conduction plate, the thermoelectric cooler, and the fan are disposed, the container comprising a container dividing wall disposed adjacent to the second surface of the thermal conduction plate.
3. 3. The mobile food and beverage cart of claim 2, wherein the container partition includes an opening, the thermoelectric cooler extends through the opening, and the thermally conductive plate and the container partition are separated from each other by a gap configured to prevent thermally conductive coupling between the thermally conductive plate and the container partition.
4. The mobile food and beverage cart of claim 1 , wherein the thermoelectric cooler comprises a Peltier element.
5. The mobile food and beverage cart of claim 1 , wherein the portion of the thermoelectric cooler comprises a fin disposed between the fan and the second surface of the thermally conductive plate.
6. 2. The mobile food and beverage cart of claim 1, further comprising a venturi box in which the portion of the thermoelectric cooler and the fan are disposed, the venturi box configured to define a fluid passage, and the fan forcing the airflow through the fluid passage onto the portion of the thermoelectric cooler and into the environment.
7. an additional thermoelectric cooler coupled to and in direct contact with the second surface of the thermally conductive plate, the additional thermoelectric cooler configured to extract heat from the thermally conductive plate by thermal conduction; and 2. The mobile food and beverage cart of claim 1, further comprising: an additional fan configured to force an additional airflow over an additional portion of the additional thermoelectric cooler and into the environment, the additional airflow adapted to extract heat from the thermoelectric cooler and release the heat to the environment.
8. 8. The mobile food and beverage cart of claim 7, wherein the thermoelectric cooler and the additional thermoelectric cooler are separated from each other by a gap, an inverter is disposed in the gap, and the inverter is configured to receive alternating current, convert the alternating current to direct current, and supply the direct current to the thermoelectric cooler and the additional thermoelectric cooler.
9. a thermostat configured to monitor a temperature of the thermoelectric cooler; an additional thermostat configured to monitor an additional temperature of the additional thermoelectric cooler; and The mobile food and beverage cart of claim 8, comprising:
10. 10. The mobile food and beverage cart of claim 9, wherein the inverter is configured to receive data feedback from the thermostat and the additional thermostat, and the inverter is configured to adjust power input to the thermoelectric cooler, the fan, the additional thermoelectric cooler, the additional fan, or any combination thereof based at least in part on the data feedback.
11. 2. The mobile food and beverage cart of claim 1, wherein the thermally conductive plate includes an extension extending from the first surface and defining a receptacle configured to receive an individual food and beverage container therein.
12. 10. The mobile food and beverage cart of claim 1, wherein the thermally conductive plate is constructed of an aluminum alloy material, has a thickness from the first surface to the second surface of about 1 / 2 inch, or both.
13. 10. The mobile food and beverage cart of claim 1, comprising a frame mounted on a set of wheels configured to permit movement of the mobile food and beverage cart.
14. 1. A cooling assembly for a mobile food and beverage cart, comprising: a container divided into an upper container section and a lower container section by a container dividing wall of the container; a thermally conductive plate disposed in the upper container section and separated from the container dividing wall by a gap, a first surface of the thermally conductive plate facing an interior of a food and beverage chamber of the cooling assembly disposed in the upper container section and configured to accommodate a food and beverage container, and a second surface of the thermally conductive plate opposite the first surface facing the gap; a thermoelectric cooler traversing the lower and upper container sections through an opening in the container dividing wall, the thermoelectric cooler being in direct contact with the second surface of the thermally conductive plate and configured to extract heat from the thermally conductive plate via the second surface; 1. A cooling assembly comprising:
15. 15. The cooling assembly of claim 14, comprising a fan configured to force the airflow over a portion of the thermoelectric cooler and into the environment surrounding the cooling assembly such that the airflow extracts heat from the thermoelectric cooler and releases the heat to the environment.
16. a thermostat configured to monitor a temperature of the thermoelectric cooler; an inverter that provides a power input to the thermoelectric cooler to induce a thermoelectric effect and provides an additional power input to the fan; Equipped with 16. The cooling assembly of claim 15, wherein the inverter is configured to receive data feedback from the thermostat and to adjust the power input to the thermoelectric cooler, the additional power input to the fan, or both based at least in part on the data feedback.
17. The cooling assembly of claim 15 , wherein the portion of the thermoelectric cooler comprises a fin disposed between the fan and the second surface of the thermally conductive plate.
18. 16. The cooling assembly of claim 15, comprising a venturi box in which the portion of the thermoelectric cooler and the fan are disposed, the venturi box configured to define a fluid passage, the fan urging the airflow through the fluid passage over the portion of the thermoelectric cooler and into the environment surrounding the cooling assembly.
19. 15. The cooling assembly of claim 14, further comprising an additional thermoelectric cooler traversing the lower and upper vessel sections through the opening or an additional opening in the vessel dividing wall, the thermoelectric cooler being in direct contact with the second surface of the thermally conductive plate and configured to extract heat from the thermally conductive plate via the second surface.
20. a fan configured to force the airflow over a portion of the thermoelectric cooler and into an environment surrounding the cooling assembly such that the airflow extracts heat from the thermoelectric cooler and releases the heat to the environment; an additional fan configured to force the additional airflow over an additional portion of the additional thermoelectric cooler and into an environment surrounding the cooling assembly such that the additional airflow extracts heat from the additional thermoelectric cooler and releases the heat to the environment; The cooling assembly of claim 19 comprising:
21. 15. The cooling assembly of claim 14, wherein the upper container section includes a sidewall defining the food and beverage chamber, the upper container section including an open surface configured to expose the food and beverage chamber to an environment surrounding the cooling assembly.
22. A mobile food and beverage cart, comprising: a food and beverage chamber configured to receive a food and beverage container; a thermally conductive plate having a first surface facing an interior of the food and beverage chamber and partially defining the interior of the food and beverage chamber, and a second surface disposed opposite the first surface; a thermoelectric cooler coupled to the second surface of the thermally conductive plate and configured to extract heat through the second surface of the thermally conductive plate; a fan configured to propel the airflow over a portion of the thermoelectric cooler and into the environment surrounding the mobile food and beverage cart such that the airflow extracts heat from the thermoelectric cooler and releases the heat to the environment; A mobile food and beverage cart comprising:
23. 23. The mobile food and beverage cart of claim 22, comprising a venturi box in which the portion of the thermoelectric cooler and the fan are disposed, the venturi box configured to define a fluid passage, and the fan forcing the air flow through the fluid passage over the portion of the thermoelectric cooler and into the environment surrounding the mobile food and beverage cart.
24. an additional thermoelectric cooler coupled to the second surface of the thermally conductive plate and configured to extract the heat through the second surface of the thermally conductive plate; an additional fan configured to propel the additional airflow over the additional portion of the thermoelectric cooler and into an environment surrounding the mobile food and beverage cart such that the additional airflow extracts heat from the thermoelectric cooler and releases the heat to the environment; 23. The mobile food and beverage cart of claim 22, comprising: