Devices for cooling beverages
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for cooling beverages are limited by reliance on external power sources, size, weight, and time required for cooling, as well as inconvenience and beverage dilution associated with ice or pre-cooled materials.
Innovation Solution
A device utilizing a compressed gas cartridge to cool a working fluid, which is then used to cool beverages through direct or indirect conduction, eliminating the need for external power and reducing size and cooling time, while avoiding beverage dilution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If refrigeration devices are used to cool beverages, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but device portability deteriorates due to size, weight, and power source requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the cooling function from complex refrigeration systems and power sources, isolating only the essential cooling chamber and working fluid. The cooling head can be separated from the cartridge, allowing the cooling component to be portable while the refrigerant reservoir remains separate.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces mechanical refrigeration systems with a chemical/physical phase change system. Instead of using compressors, condensers, and expansion valves requiring electricity, the system uses a pressurized cartridge containing refrigerant that undergoes phase change when released into the cooling chamber, providing cooling without mechanical components.
2Temperature
If refrigeration devices are used to cool beverages, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but cooling time deteriorates as it takes significant time to cool room temperature beverages
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigerant is pre-loaded in a pressurized cartridge in a ready-to-use state. The cooling chamber is pre-configured with the working fluid and thermal conduction paths. When activated, the system immediately begins cooling without requiring time to build pressure, circulate refrigerant, or reach operating temperature, as all components are prepared in advance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a pressurized gas cartridge to rapidly deliver refrigerant to the cooling chamber. The pneumatic pressure forces the refrigerant through the expansion device and into the working fluid quickly, enabling rapid heat exchange and fast cooling of the beverage, significantly reducing cooling time compared to conventional refrigeration.
3Temperature
If ice is added to cool beverages, then cooling effect is achieved, but beverage quality deteriorates due to dilution from melting ice
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a working fluid as an intermediary between the refrigerant and the beverage. The refrigerant cools the working fluid in a sealed chamber, and the cooled working fluid then cools the beverage through thermal conduction via the chamber walls. This intermediary system provides cooling contact without direct mixing, preventing beverage dilution while maintaining effective heat transfer.
4Object-generated harmful factors
If pre-cooled materials like whisky stones are used, then beverage dilution is avoided, but device portability deteriorates as materials must be kept in coolers
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is divided into separate functional modules: a reusable cooling head containing the working fluid and thermal conduction paths, and a replaceable pressurized cartridge containing the refrigerant. This segmentation allows the cooling head to be stored at room temperature while the cartridge provides portable, self-contained refrigeration, eliminating the need to transport entire coolers or pre-cooled materials.
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
The device provides a portable, efficient, and rapid cooling solution for beverages without the need for external power or ice, maintaining beverage quality and convenience in use.
Implementation Method 1
The compressed gas cools the working fluid when the compressed gas is selectively released from the compressed gas cartridge and contacts the working fluid in the interior void
Implementation Method 2
The compressed gas cools the working fluid when the compressed gas is selectively released from the compressed gas cartridge and contacts the working fluid in the interior void
Implementation Method 3
The head is configured to be placed in a beverage to cool the beverage
Data Source
AI summary
Devices for cooling beverages in cooperation with a compressed gas cartridge. The devices include a housing, a head, a working fluid, and a release mechanism. The housing defines a chamber complementarily configured with the compressed gas cartridge to receive the compressed gas cartridge. The head couples to the housing and defines an interior void in fluid communication with the chamber. The working fluid is contained with the interior void of the head. The release mechanism is operably connected to the housing and configured to selectively release compressed gas from the compressed gas cartridge into the interior void of the head. The compressed gas cools the working fluid when the compressed gas is selectively released from the compressed gas cartridge and contacts the working fluid in the interior void. The head is configured to be placed in a beverage to cool the beverage.