Device for cooling beverage bottles or beverage cans

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for cooling a plurality of beverage bottles or beverage cans, which are each vertical in the interior of the device, each individual bottle or can standing on a holder (4) which stationarily rotates about its own axis, and to a device for cooling beverage bottles or beverage cans, each bottle or can lying on two shafts which rotate about their own axis, the axes of the shafts (11) being inclined and / or a plurality of said holders being in a common housing.

Description

[0001] Device for cooling beverage bottles or cans

[0002] The invention relates to devices for cooling beverage bottles or beverage cans with chilled liquid.

[0003] A device is known from AU2020101159 A4 in which chilled liquid is sprayed onto one or more beverage cans or bottles, which are set in rotation by a drive. The rotation of the cans or bottles accelerates heat transfer within the beverage bottle, thus shortening the cooling time. In a first variant of AU2020101159A4, the cans or bottles are aligned horizontally and rotated by a single drive shaft. In another variant, several cans or bottles are arranged vertically and rotated by a planetary gear.

[0004] US 2019331392 A1 relates to a container filled with a liquid bath. The liquid bath contains holders for objects to be tempered. An impeller causes the liquid in the liquid bath to move along a flow path. The objects remain in the liquid bath; no liquid is sprayed onto them.

[0005] US2031274 describes a device for cooling milk cans, whereby the milk cans are not moved in the device.

[0006] The object underlying the invention is to provide an improved device for cooling beverage bottles or beverage cans with chilled liquid.

[0007] To achieve the object, a device according to claim 1 or claim 11 is proposed.

[0008] In one embodiment, a device for cooling a plurality of beverage bottles or beverage cans is proposed, each of which is positioned vertically in the device and in which each individual bottle or can stands on a rotating holder, each holder being stationary on a drive plate and rotating about its own axis, a centering plate being provided at a distance above the drive plate, said centering plate having an opening for each holder, a bottle or can being able to be placed in a holder through an opening in the centering plate, an annular gap being provided between the bottle or can and the edge of the respective opening, nozzles being provided above the centering plate through which cooled liquid is sprayed onto the bottles or cans, the liquid being accumulated on the centering plate and running off via the annular gaps.In another embodiment, a device for cooling at least one beverage bottle or beverage can is proposed, wherein the bottle or can can be placed in a receptacle of the device, wherein the receptacle or each of several receptacles is formed by two parallel rotating and driven shafts, on which shafts the bottle or can can be placed, wherein at least one feed means is present, via which cooled liquid is applied to the bottle or can.

[0009] In another embodiment, a device for cooling at least one beverage bottle or beverage can is proposed, which are arranged at an angle in the device and in which each individual bottle or can rests on two rotating and driven axes, wherein each bottle or can has at least one nozzle which sprays cooled liquid onto the bottles or cans, wherein the axes have an angle of inclination of 3 to 12 degrees to the horizontal.

[0010] Preferably, the axes have an inclination angle of 5-10 degrees, in particular 7 degrees.

[0011] In another embodiment, a device for cooling at least one beverage bottle or beverage can is proposed, wherein the bottle or can can be placed in one of several receptacles of the device, wherein each of several receptacles is formed by two parallel rotating and driven shafts, on which shafts the bottle or can can be placed, wherein at least one feed means is present, via which cooled liquid is applied to the bottle or can, wherein the several receptacles each comprising two rotating and driven shafts are present in a housing of the device, wherein each two shafts forming a receptacle have their own drive and their own feed means for introducing the cooled liquid and wherein each receptacle is assigned a lid by means of which the receptacle can be opened and closed independently of the other receptacles.

[0012] The invention is illustrated by drawings:

[0013] Fig. 1 : Schematically illustrates the structure of a beverage cooler according to a first embodiment.

[0014] Fig. 2: Schematically illustrates a preferred housing of the beverage cooler according to the first embodiment.

[0015] Fig. 3: Schematically illustrates a preferred drive plate of the beverage cooler according to the first embodiment.

[0016] Fig. 4: Schematically illustrates the principle of a beverage cooler according to a second embodiment. Fig. 5: Schematically illustrates the principle of a beverage cooler according to a second embodiment with inclined drive shafts.

[0017] Fig. 6: Schematically illustrates the principle of a beverage cooler according to a variant with an individually closable and / or controllable receptacle.

[0018] Fig. 7: Schematically illustrates the principle of a beverage cooler according to a variant with a plurality of individually closable and / or controllable receptacles.

[0019] Fig. 8: Schematically illustrates an upper part of a beverage cooler with two receptacles in a common housing.

[0020] Fig. 9: Schematically illustrates a top part of a beverage cooler with a single holder.

[0021] Fig. 10: schematically shows a lower part of a beverage cooler for the embodiments according to Fig. 8 and 9.

[0022] Fig. 1 schematically shows the structure of a first embodiment of the cooling device. Preferably, the device has an upper part 1 and a lower part 2. The upper part 1 comprises a housing with a tray, which serves to hold the bottles or cans to be cooled. The upper part 1 contains a drive plate 3, on which receptacles 4 are provided. Each receptacle 4 can rotate about a vertical axis. The vertical axes are located on the drive plate 3; for example, they can be firmly connected to the drive plate 3, with the receptacles 4 rotating about the axes and preferably being attached thereto. A centering plate 5 is located above the drive plate 3. The centering plate 5 has an opening for each receptacle 4. When a bottle or can is placed in an opening in the centering plate 5, it moves onto one of the receptacles 4.The receptacles 4 preferably have a holder for the bottles or cans so that they are held radially on the receptacle 4 when it rotates. The holder can be an annular web that surrounds the bottom of the bottle or can. However, the holder can also comprise several individual elements that are distributed circumferentially around the bottle or can. At least one of the receptacles 4 is connected to a drive. In the example shown, the receptacles 4 are designed as gears so that the rotary movement of the receptacle 4 connected to the drive is transmitted to all receptacles 4. The receptacle 4 is preferably connected to a drive shaft of an electric motor via a separable coupling. The coupling allows the drive plate 3 to be removed from the upper part 1 from above.Since the drive plate 3 is only removed for cleaning the device, it is preferably screwed to the housing using screws or nuts, particularly wing nuts. The coupling can include a safety device with a predetermined breaking point. The electric motor can be located in the lower part 2. However, it is also possible to provide the electric motor on the upper part 1, for example, below the tub-like base of the upper part 1. The drive shaft coupling is preferably located above the tub-like base of the housing. The drive shaft runs through the housing base, with a seal in this area.

[0023] Above the centering plate 5 there are feed means 6 for introducing the cooled liquid. This feed means 6 can be in the form of a spray bar. There can also be multiple spray bars and / or individual nozzles. The spray bar preferably has openings which are located at different heights and with different orientations in order to distribute water jets onto the bottles or cans located in the housing. Less preferred, as more complex, are adjustable nozzles on the spray bar. The spray bar can be in the form of a circumferential spray tube which is supplied with cooled liquid via a T-piece at both ends. The liquid is applied to the bottles or cans to be cooled, which are set in rotation by the receptacles 4. The liquid is accumulated on the centering plate 5 so that it runs into the annular gap between the can or bottle and the edge of the opening.This ensures that the cooled liquid has good contact with the bottle or can. The liquid drains from the cans or bottles and flows through openings in the drive plate 3 to the trough-like base of the upper part 1. A drain 7 is located in the base of the upper part 1. The drain 7 connects the upper part 1 to the lower part 2. A sieve and / or filter is preferably provided in the drain 7.

[0024] The lower part 2 comprises a cooling device for cooling the liquid. The cooled liquid, which flows from the upper part 1 into the lower part 2, is collected in a reservoir, wherein the liquid in the reservoir is preferably cooled by a heat exchanger 8. The heat exchanger 8 is preferably located in the reservoir to form a cold storage device. Cooled liquid is pumped from the reservoir up to the supply means 6 for introducing the cooled liquid from the upper part 1. For this purpose, a pipe or hose can run externally on the device from the lower part 2 to the upper part 1. A pump for the cooled liquid is preferably located in the lower part 2.

[0025] The upper part 1 and the lower part 2 can be connected by electrical cables for power supply and / or control lines and / or data exchange. A power supply is preferably located around the lower part 2. The power supply can have a 12V output, which preferably serves to supply power to the upper part 1.

[0026] Through the heat exchanger 8, the liquid transfers heat to a refrigerant of a refrigeration machine 9, in particular a compression refrigeration machine. The compressor and condenser of the refrigeration machine 9 are located in the lower part 2.

[0027] The reservoir preferably provides space for the entire fluid used in the device. The reservoir preferably has a volume that is a multiple of the circulating volume of fluid.

[0028] The upper part 1 has a lid 10 which prevents liquid from splashing out of the upper part 1 and prevents anyone from reaching into the device during operation.

[0029] Preferably, the device includes a switch or sensor so that the rotary drive of the receptacles 4 only starts when the lid is closed. A second switch or sensor can detect the presence of the centering plate 5, whereby the rotary drive of the receptacles 4 only starts when the centering plate 5 is inserted. The centering plate 5 rests on tabs or webs of the housing and can be removed from above.

[0030] Preferably, the housing is dimensioned so that when the centering plate 5 is removed, a beer crate can be accommodated in it.

[0031] If a whole beer crate is placed inside the housing, the rotation drive of the holders is deactivated. This increases the time required for the bottles to cool. However, with this use, an already chilled beer crate can also be placed inside and kept cold by the device.

[0032] For faster cooling, the bottles can be placed individually, without the crate, into the holders 4 with the centering plate 5 inserted, causing each of them to rotate. This allows twenty beer bottles to be cooled from 21°C to 8°C within approximately 10 minutes. Although the bottles are rotated, no foam is produced when opening them. The rotation of the holders 4, or rather the motor, is, for example, 240 revolutions per minute.

[0033] In a less preferred embodiment, the upper part 1 and the lower part 2 can also be integrated in one device or in a common housing.

[0034] The cooled liquid is preferably water, especially tap water. The device can have a tap for draining the water. The device can include a connection for supplying fresh water. Alternatively, fresh water can simply be poured into the upper part 1.

[0035] The device can incorporate additional sensors such as flow sensors and temperature sensors. In particular, the return temperature of the chilled liquid can be measured, which can be used to determine the temperature of the chilled beverages.

[0036] A control element, in particular a touchscreen, can be attached to the upper part 1. A control element can also be external. For example, operation can be carried out via a mobile phone or a tablet that communicates with the device.

[0037] The device preferably includes a bypass line for the cooled liquid. This serves to further cool the housing of the upper part 1 when the lid is open and / or when the flow through the supply means 6 for introducing the cooled liquid (e.g., spray bar) is shut off.

[0038] Fig. 2 illustrates the housing of the upper part 1, which is preferably double-walled, viewed obliquely from above. As can be seen, the device preferably comprises several rows of receptacles 4. The device preferably comprises twenty receptacles 4.

[0039] Fig. 3 illustrates a preferred variant of the drive plate 3 with an array of receptacles 4, each designed as a gear. The gears arranged in adjacent rows and lines mesh with each other. Thus, each gear meshes with at least two other gears. Between the gears, the drive plate 3 has several openings through which the cooled liquid can drain. The lateral recesses of the drive plate 3 ensure that it can be moved past the four support tabs of the centering plate 5.

[0040] 4 and 5 illustrate the principle of the second embodiment. In this embodiment, the cans or bottles are aligned at an angle. The bottles or cans are preferably at an angle of 3 to 10 degrees to the horizontal, preferably 5 to 9 degrees, in particular 7 degrees. The device according to the second embodiment has two parallel shafts 11 as receptacles for a bottle or can, both of which are driven and rotate in the same direction. The bottle or can to be cooled rests on the two shafts 11. Each of the two shafts 11 has a disk 13 at the lower end, against which the bottle or can to be cooled rests. Each shaft 11 preferably has a plurality of rings 14 made of elastic material, against which the bottle or can rests. The elastic material can be silicone. The rings 14 can have knobs or another structure.The device comprises supply means 6 for applying the cooled liquid. One or more of the receptacles shown in Figs. 3 and 4 can be arranged in a housing. As in the first embodiment, the housing can be designed as an upper part 1, which can be placed on a lower part 2 and which has a cover 10. As in the first embodiment, the cover 10 can be located on the top of the housing.

[0041] In the variant of Fig. 6, a cover 15 is positioned vertically, preferably on the upper or lower side of the shafts 11. The cover 15 closes a cylindrical or prismatic chamber in which the two shafts 11 and a supply means 6, in particular a spray bar, for applying the cooled liquid are located. The cooled liquid exits the cylindrical or prismatic chamber through at least one opening on its underside.

[0042] On the side facing away from the lid 15, one of the two shafts 11 is connected to a drive 17. The second shaft 11 is also driven via gears 18 or a belt. The cooled liquid is preferably supplied via a water valve 16, which is preferably individually controllable. The length of the chamber and the shafts 11 is preferably dimensioned so that one bottle (beer or wine) or up to two cans can be inserted.

[0043] As illustrated in Fig. 7, in this variant a plurality of the units shown in Fig. 6 can be accommodated in a common housing 21, wherein each of the units preferably has its own lid 15, its own drive 17 and its own water valve 16. The device in Fig. 7 also comprises a control and operating unit 19. In a lower region 20 of the device, as in the variant in Fig. 1, there is a refrigeration machine for cooling the liquid which is pumped to the units and drains from them again. Above the lower region there is again a trough-like base with a drain 7. The control and operating unit 19 controls the device such that the water valve 16 is only open in those units in which a beverage to be cooled has been placed.

[0044] A water pump in the device preferably runs at a minimum speed of 10 rpm. A flow sensor detects the flow and switches on the cooling unit positions 3 and 4 (provided the temperature is not lower than 2°C). The water is cooled. When beverages are placed in the individual units and the cooling process is activated, their drive 17 and their water valves 16 are switched on. The more segments are in operation, the higher the motor setpoint of the water pump and the more flow is provided. The water flows from the units through a sieve mat back into a tank. A pressure sensor can be installed for analysis purposes or to readjust the water pump. If the water temperature of the return line is too high due to capacity utilization, the cooling process is extended.

[0045] A method for commercial use of the device may include:

[0046] An RFID chip is requested using a debit card, possibly with payment for a deposit. This can be removed from a withdrawal field.

[0047] The RFID chip is held against the reader next to the input field. A preselected amount, for example, €5, is stored on the chip. The RFID chip or transponder is held against a lid 15, which opens, and a drink is inserted.

[0048] After closing, the lid 15 is locked, and the cooling process begins. This process typically takes approximately 4 to 5 minutes.

[0049] If the load is very high, the processing time is automatically increased (max. 10 minutes).

[0050] If the chip is held against the lid again, it opens. (Depending on the implementation, this may even happen if the process isn't yet complete.)

[0051] Preferably, a status LED on the lid indicates whether the chamber is free or occupied. For example, green means the chamber is free. If the cooling process is in progress, the status LED turns red. If the process is complete, the status LED turns blue.

[0052] If a drink is forgotten, the lid 15 can be set to open automatically after a definable time, e.g. 20 minutes.

[0053] The RFID chip can be handed in at a cash register, where the stake is refunded. Alternatively, the device can also have a return function.

[0054] In other versions, the device can also be operated in other ways, for example like a drinks vending machine or a locker system.

[0055] Figs. 8-9 show two further embodiments, which also utilize receptacles according to the variant in Figs. 4-5. In the variant in Fig. 8, four shafts 11 are present, all parallel to one another. A bottle or one to two cans can be placed between each outer pair of shafts 11. Cooled liquid can be provided by a common supply means 6, in particular a spray bar. Alternatively or additionally, at least one supply means 6 can be provided per receptacle. The shafts 11 are all driven, for example by one or two motors. All shafts 11, or the pair of shafts 11 forming a receptacle, can be coupled via gears or belts. The aforementioned components are arranged in a common, preferably double-walled housing, which can form an upper part 1, similar to Fig. 1.The housing has a drain 7 for the cooled liquid.

[0056] In the variant of Fig. 9, two shafts 11 are present, which are parallel to each other. A bottle or one to two cans can be placed between the pair of shafts 11. Chilled liquid can be provided by one or two feed means 6. The shafts 11 are driven by a motor. The pair of shafts 11 can be coupled via gears or a belt. The aforementioned components are arranged in a common, preferably double-walled housing, which can form an upper part 1, similar to Fig. 1. The housing has an outlet 7 for the chilled liquid.

[0057] The shafts 11 in the variants of Figs. 8 and 9 can be inclined. In this case, the upper parts 1 of Figs. 8 and 9 can be provided with a lower part according to Fig. 1, whereby the vertical drive shaft is not required.

[0058] Preferably, however, this inclined position is achieved by a lower part 2 with an inclined upper surface 23 as shown in Fig. 10. The angle of inclination of the upper surface with respect to the horizontal is preferably between 3 and 10 degrees, in particular between 6 and 8 degrees. The upper part 1 as shown in Fig. 8 or Fig. 9 can be placed on this lower part 2. The lower part 2 in turn has a heat exchanger 8, the components of a refrigeration machine 9 and a cold storage unit 22. The lower part 2 can be dimensioned so that it can be placed on a beer crate. For example, the lower part 2 can have a rectangular base with a width of approximately 300 mm and a length of approximately 400 mm.

[0059] A preferred use of one of these devices could be to use an app or software to identify a wine or beer bottle via a QR code, barcode, or image recognition. This would then preferably result in an automatic redirect to a website or database. There, you can either transfer the suggested cooling data to the device's control system or retrieve information or a promotional video about that beverage.

[0060] For example, a wine sommelier can explain everything important about a wine and suggest a recommended drinking temperature. After the wine has been chilled, the user can decide for themselves whether the temperature is right for their taste. Furthermore, the app or software can be used to view additional products from this or another wine producer. Another option is to develop and save custom cooling processes for products.

[0061] Control can be via a control element on the device, particularly a touchscreen. The control element can also be external. For example, operation can be via a mobile phone or tablet that communicates with the device.

[0062] Preferably, according to one of the embodiments described herein, the device also has an outlet and an inlet for the cooled liquid in order to be able to make it available to external devices. For example, containers used to keep already cooled beverage bottles or cans cold can be supplied with cooled liquid in this way. The device can thus have an internal circuit for the cooled liquid and at least one external circuit for the cooled liquid. The external circuit can be operated independently of the first circuit by a second pump of the device. The device can also have a power output and / or a control or data output in order to be able to supply the external device with power and / or to control it or to communicate with it.The device may preferably detect the return temperature of the chilled liquid from the external device or receive data from a temperature sensor of the external device.

Claims

ii Patent claims 1. Device for cooling several beverage bottles or beverage cans, which are each vertically located in the interior of the device and in which each individual bottle or can stands on a rotating holder (4), characterized in that each holder (4) is stationary on a drive plate (3) and is rotatable about its own axis, wherein a centering plate (5) is provided at a distance above the drive plate (3), which centering plate (5) has one opening per holder (4), wherein a bottle or can can be inserted through an opening of the centering plate (5) in a holder (4) can be placed, wherein there is an annular gap between the bottle or the can and the edge of the respective opening of the centering plate (5), wherein above the centering plate (5) there are feeding means (6) which apply cooled liquid to the bottles or cans, wherein the liquid accumulates on the centering plate (5) and runs off via the annular gap.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the centering plate (5) is removable, wherein when the centering plate (5) is removed, a beer crate can be placed in the device.

3. Device according to one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that below the drive plate (3) there is a trough-like base in which a drain (7) is located.

4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that it has an upper part (1) which comprises a housing surrounding the interior, the drive plate (3), the centering plate (5) and the supply means (6) and has a lower part (2) which comprises a heat exchanger (8) and a refrigeration machine (9), wherein the cooled liquid passes from the upper part (1) into the lower part (2) via the outlet (7), wherein the cooled liquid can be cooled with the heat exchanger (8) by a coolant of the refrigeration machine (9) and can be pumped up to the supply means (6) by a pump.

5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that each receptacle (4) is in the form of a gear, one of the receptacles (4) being driven by a motor and all gears being coupled to one another.

6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that each receptacle (4) has a holder for the bottles or cans, which holder partially or completely encloses the lower end of the bottle or can in the circumferential direction.

7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the drive plate (3) comprises a drive shaft with coupling, which drive shaft has one of the receptacles (4) and wherein the drive plate (3) has vertical shaft journals which are rigidly connected to the drive plate (3), wherein the further receptacles (4) are placed on the shaft journals, wherein the receptacles (4) are rotatable about the shaft journals.

8. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the drive plate (3) has several openings through which the cooled liquid can flow away.

9. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the device has a reservoir for the cooled liquid, the heat exchanger (8) being present in the reservoir.

10. Device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the supply means (6) are in the form of a spray pipe which encircles the interior above the centering plate (5), the two ends of the spray pipe being connected via a T-piece, the cooled liquid being available at the free inlet of the T-piece.

11. Device for cooling at least one beverage bottle or beverage can, which bottle or can can be placed in a receptacle of the device, characterized in that the receptacle or each of several receptacles is formed by two parallel rotating and driven shafts (11), on which shafts (11) the bottle or can can be placed, wherein at least one feed means (6) is present, with which cooled liquid is applied to the bottle or can.

12. Device according to claim 11, characterized in that the shafts (11) are inclined, with an angle of inclination of 3 to 10 degrees to the horizontal.

13. Device according to claim 12, characterized in that the shafts (11) have an angle of inclination of 6-8 degrees, in particular 7 degrees.

14. Device according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the shafts (11) each have a disc (13) which is located at the lower end region of the shaft (11).

15. Device according to one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that the shafts (11) have several rings (14) made of elastic material on which the bottle or can rests.

16. Device according to one of claims 11 to 15, characterized in that the shafts (11) have at least one ring (14) made of elastic material, which has knobs or a has a structured surface, particularly in the area of ​​a bottle where the label is located.

17. Device according to one of claims 11 to 16, characterized in that it has an upper part (1) which has a housing surrounding the interior, the shafts (11) and the feed means (6) and a lower part (2) which comprises a heat exchanger (8) and a refrigeration machine (9), wherein the cooled liquid can reach the lower part (2) via an outlet (7) from the upper part (1), wherein the cooled liquid is cooled with the heat exchanger by a coolant of the refrigeration machine (9) and is pumped up to the feed means (6) by a pump.

18. Device according to claim 17, characterized in that the upper surface of the lower part (2) has an angle of inclination of 3 to 10 degrees, preferably 6-8 degrees, in particular 7 degrees, to the horizontal bottom surface of the lower part (2).

19. Device according to one of claims 11 to 18, characterized in that the shafts (11) which form a receptacle for a bottle or can have a drive (17), wherein both shafts (11) are coupled to the drive (17), preferably via gears or belts.

20. Device according to one of claims 11 to 19, characterized in that several receptacles comprising two shafts (11) are present in a housing of the device.

21. Device according to one of claims 11 to 20, characterized in that each two shafts (11) forming a receptacle have their own drive (17) and their own feed means (6) for introducing cooled liquid.

22. Device according to one of claims 11 to 21, characterized in that each receptacle is assigned a cover (15) by means of which the receptacle can be opened and closed independently of the other receptacles.

23. Device according to one of claims 11 to 22, characterized in that several receptacles each comprising two rotating and driven shafts (11) are present in a housing of the device, wherein in each receptacle a bottle or can can be placed on the two rotating and driven shafts (11), wherein each two shafts (11) forming a receptacle have their own drive (17) and their own feed means (6) for introducing the cooled liquid and wherein each A cover (15) is assigned to the receptacle, by means of which the receptacle can be opened and closed independently of the other receptacles.

24. Device according to claims 11 to 23, characterized in that a water valve (16) is provided for each receptacle, which can block and release the supply of cooled liquid to the supply means (6) of the receptacle.

25. Device according to claim 23 and 24, characterized in that the device has a control which enables the opening and / or closing of the lids (15) depending on a user interaction, wherein the control can individually control the drives (17) and water valves (16) of the receptacles.

26. Device according to one of claims 11 to 25, characterized in that the cooled liquid which runs off from the individual receptacles is collected at a trough-like bottom of the housing and passes via a drain (7) into a storage tank, wherein the cooled liquid can be cooled by a heat exchanger (8) to which the coolant is applied by a refrigeration machine (9).

27. Device according to one of claims 1 to 10 or 11 to 26, characterized in that it has an outlet and an inlet for the cooled liquid in order to be able to provide it for an additional external cooling circuit.

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