Beverage cooling apparatus and method
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Solution Overview
Problem
Maintaining a consistent beverage temperature during consumption is challenging, as beverages rapidly adjust to atmospheric temperature after being removed from heating or cooling sources, leading to temperature changes that can be inconvenient and unsafe, especially with large or alcoholic beverages.
Innovation Solution
A beverage cooling unit with a container, detachable lid, and water pump system that uses a mixture of ice and water to maintain the beverage's temperature between 32°F and 45°F (0°C to 7.22°C) through a conduit system, allowing for continuous cooling and monitoring of the beverage's temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a beverage is removed from a cooling or heating source, then the beverage can be consumed, but the beverage temperature rapidly changes to match atmospheric temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous cooling by circulating chilled water through a conduit system that surrounds the beverage container. The water pump continuously recirculates the chilled water through the conduit, maintaining constant thermal contact between the cooling medium and the beverage, thereby preventing temperature rise during consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces chilled water as an intermediary cooling medium that transfers thermal energy from the beverage to the surrounding environment. The conduit system acts as a heat exchange intermediary, allowing continuous heat removal without direct exposure of the beverage to atmospheric conditions.
2Temperature
If a beverage is kept in refrigeration systems, then the beverage temperature is maintained, but the beverage cannot be consumed until removed from the system
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the functions of refrigeration storage and consumption cooling in a single integrated system. The conduit system and water pump can operate continuously to cool the beverage while it remains in the container, eliminating the need to transfer the beverage between storage and consumption locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling action continues uninterrupted during the entire consumption period. The water pump maintains continuous circulation of chilled water through the conduit, ensuring the beverage remains at the desired temperature from storage through consumption without removal from the cooling environment.
3Temperature
If a large beverage is consumed quickly to maintain temperature, then temperature stability is improved, but safety risks increase due to rapid consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous circulation of chilled water through the conduit system provides sustained cooling that matches any consumption rate. Whether the user drinks slowly or quickly, the system continuously removes heat at the same rate, maintaining temperature consistency without requiring rapid consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides continuous thermal feedback to the beverage through the circulating chilled water. As the beverage temperature rises from consumption, the continuous flow of chilled water detects and counteracts this change in real-time, maintaining stable temperature regardless of consumption rate.
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
Enables consumption of beverages at a consistent temperature, reducing the risk of temperature changes and allowing for variable consumption rates, ensuring safety and convenience by maintaining the desired temperature throughout the drinking process.
Implementation Method 1
A water pump is coupled to the conduit system for transferring a fluid through the conduit system... Adjusting the temperature of the beverage with the fluid flowing through the conduit system
Implementation Method 2
Adjusting the temperature of the beverage with the fluid flowing through the conduit system
Data Source
AI summary
A container enclosing a volume, the container having a container floor facing the volume, a release valve, and a detachable lid positioned opposite the container floor. The detachable lid having at least one lid inlet that penetrates the detachable lid. The lid inlet having an inlet sleeve having a first sleeve end that extends outside the detachable lid and a second sleeve end that extends into the container. A conduit system having at least one overflow outlet fluidly coupled to the conduit system and positioned within the second sleeve end and a water pump coupled to the conduit system for transferring a fluid through the conduit system.