Beverage Cooler with Sealed Openings and Visual Temperature Indicators
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage coolers face challenges in efficiently cooling beverages without using ice, which can dilute the drink or require frequent replenishment, and powered coolers may not cool rapidly enough for high-demand applications like sports events, often leading to condensation and temperature uncertainty.
Innovation Solution
A refrigeration system with an evaporator and fan in a cooling chamber, along with sealed doors and condensation-wiping seals, to rapidly cool bottles, and visual indicators showing temperature status.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If ice is used to cool beverages, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but beverage dilution and frequent ice replenishment are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary cooling mechanism where chilled plates or cooling elements are placed in contact with the beverage container exterior, rather than direct ice contact with the beverage. This intermediary approach transfers heat away from the beverage without allowing ice meltwater to dilute the drink, thus maintaining beverage concentration while achieving effective cooling.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling system is segmented into separate functional zones: one for cooling (chilled plates/elements) and one for beverage storage. This segmentation allows the cooling mechanism to operate independently without directly contacting the beverage, preventing dilution while maintaining cooling effectiveness.
2Temperature
If powered refrigeration systems are used, then cooling control is improved, but cooling speed is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary cooling actions by pre-chilling plates or cooling elements before beverage insertion. This preliminary preparation allows for rapid heat transfer when the beverage is placed in contact with the pre-chilled surfaces, achieving fast cooling rates while maintaining controlled temperature management.
Solution Approach 2:
The refrigeration system incorporates dynamic control capabilities where cooling intensity can be adjusted based on real-time temperature feedback and user preferences. This dynamic adjustment optimizes both cooling speed and temperature control, allowing the system to operate at high speed when needed while maintaining precise temperature management.
3Speed
If rapid cooling is implemented, then cooling speed is improved, but condensation formation is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The use of intermediary cooling surfaces (chilled plates rather than direct ice contact) acts as a buffer that controls the cooling rate more gradually. This intermediary approach reduces thermal shock and minimizes the temperature differential between the beverage and surrounding air, thereby reducing condensation formation while still achieving rapid cooling.
Solution Approach 2:
The system converts the potentially harmful effect of rapid cooling (condensation) into a beneficial controlled cooling process. By using pre-chilled surfaces with controlled thermal properties, the system achieves rapid cooling while the controlled heat transfer prevents excessive condensation, effectively turning a disadvantage into an advantage.
4Loss of information
If visual temperature indicators are added, then user awareness of temperature status is improved, but device complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs color-changing indicators (such as temperature-sensitive paints or LED color codes) that visually display beverage temperature status. These indicators change color or illuminate in different colors based on temperature ranges, providing intuitive temperature information to users without requiring complex digital displays or control systems, thus minimizing added complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The visual indicators are designed as passive, self-operating elements that automatically respond to temperature changes without requiring external power sources or complex electronics. The indicators serve themselves by utilizing temperature-dependent material properties to provide visual feedback, eliminating the need for additional active components and reducing overall system complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Rapid cooling of beverages to desired temperatures with minimal condensation and user-friendly temperature feedback, ensuring consistent chilled beverages for high-demand scenarios.
Implementation Method 1
A refrigeration system with an evaporator and fan in a cooling chamber, along with sealed doors and condensation-wiping seals, to rapidly cool bottles
Implementation Method 2
A seal may be located within each beverage container opening in order to fill the space between the beverage container opening and a bottle placed in the beverage container opening
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Beverage coolers for storing and cooling bottled beverages. A beverage cooler may include a cooling chamber cooled by a refrigeration system, and openings in the cooling chamber for receiving bottled beverages to be chilled. The openings may have doors and/or seals to minimize heat exchange between the cooling chamber and the environment with or without bottles disposed in the openings. Each of the openings may have a visual indicator, such as a plurality of LEDs, configured to indicate the temperature of the bottle disposed in the opening.