AU2020101159A4

AU2020101159A4 - Beverage chilling apparatus

Info

Publication number: AU2020101159A4
Application number: AU2020101159A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Stuart Lord; Saaed Yousefi
Original assignee: Trustee For Estuary Unit Trust
Current assignee: Trustee For Estuary Unit Trust
Priority date: 2020-06-26
Filing date: 2020-06-26
Publication date: 2020-07-30
Anticipated expiration: 2028-06-26

Abstract

There is disclosed a chilling apparatus for chilling a receptacle containing a beverage, comprising: a body having a cavity into which one or more receptacles are to be received; at least one mount to support each receptacle thereon; a plurality of nozzles for delivering a chilling fluid onto the surface of each receptacle; and a rotatory motion mechanism for providing rotary motion to each support to cause each support to rotate as the chilling fluid is delivered thereto so as to facilitate mixing of the beverage fluid present in each receptacle. 53 Fi- U 3

Description

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BEVERAGE CHILLING APPARATUS FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to an apparatus for cooling beverages, and in particular, to an apparatus for rapidly chilling beverages for consumption. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Most pre-packaged beverages, such as carbonated drinks, juices, alcohol and the like, are generally intended to be consumed in a chilled state to maximise the sensory experience. Such beverages are generally provided in a receptacle, such as a bottle or can, which can be simply opened and consumed directly from the receptacle or poured into a glass or the like for consumption.

If a beverage is at room temperature, for example 25°C, it is often desirable to chill the device such that it is cold (4°C) or "ice cold" (1°C) before it is consumed. Typically, in most home and commercial environments, this is achieved by placing the receptacle in a refrigerator and waiting until the beverage is at the desired cold or chilled temperature. In most refrigerators, this can take more than an hour to achieve.

As most conventional chilling systems employ a system that circulates chilled air through a container that houses the receptacles, such systems require time to generate the chilled air as well as time for that chilled air to act upon the receptacle. This can be inconvenient as in many instances the individual wishes to consume the beverage immediately and not wait for over an hour for the beverage to be in a state for consumption. Furthermore, in retail situations where open fronted refrigerated cabinets are employed to store the beverages at the desired chilled temperature for purchase, much energy is wasted

In order to achieve rapid chilling of a beverage, a variety of systems have been proposed. Such systems typically employ a bath of chilled water and/or ice into which the receptacle is placed for a predetermined period to chill the receptacle. Whilst, such systems have been proven effective in at least significantly reducing the temperature of the beverage from room temperature, many such systems fail to provide a beverage that is chilled to an optimum temperature for consumption.

Thus, there is a need to provide a rapid chilling system that can be simply employed in a variety of settings to quickly and efficiently reduce the temperature of a beverage to an optimum drinking temperature.

The above references to and descriptions of prior proposals or products are not intended to be, and are not to be construed as, statements or admissions of common

I general knowledge in the art. In particular, the above prior art discussion does not relate to what is commonly or well known by the person skilled in the art, but assists in the understanding of the inventive step of the present invention of which the identification of pertinent prior art proposals is but one part. STATEMENT OF INVENTION

The invention according to one or more aspects is as defined in the independent claims. Some optional and/or preferred features of the invention are defined in the dependent claims. Accordingly, in one aspect of the invention there is provided a chilling apparatus for chilling a receptacle containing a beverage, comprising: a body having a cavity into which one or more receptacles are to be received; at least one mount to support each receptacle thereon; a plurality of nozzles for delivering a chilling fluid onto the surface of each receptacle; and a rotatory motion mechanism for providing rotary motion to each support to cause each support to rotate as the chilling fluid is delivered thereto so as to facilitate mixing of the beverage fluid present in each receptacle.

In one embodiment, the chilling fluid is recirculated. The chilling fluid may be recirculated through a heat exchanger such that the chilling fluid returned to the body is at a lower temperature than the chilling fluid leaving the body. In one embodiment, the receptacles are arranged in a vertical orientation within the cavity.

In another embodiment, the receptacles are arranged in a horizontal orientation within the cavity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may be better understood from the following non-limiting description of preferred embodiments, in which:

Fig. 1 is a schematic depiction of a beverage chilling apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a schematic depiction of an alternative embodiment of a beverage chilling apparatus; and

Fig. 3 is yet another embodiment of a beverage chilling apparatus of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred features of the present invention will now be described with particular reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it is to be understood that the features illustrated in and described with reference to the drawings are not to be construed as limiting on the scope of the invention.

The present invention will be described below in relation to its application to rapidly chill a beverage, such as a cab or bottle. Whilst the invention will be described in relation to chilling a can made from an aluminium material, it will be appreciated that the present invention could be equally employed in chilling beverage packaged in a class bottle or plastic bottle.

Referring to Fig. 1, a simplified system diagram of a rapid chilling system 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is depicted. The system comprises a main body 12 in the form of a box or barrel having an open upper end that is closable by way of a lid 11, hingedly mounted to the body 12. The body 12 has an internal cavity 14 into which the receptacle 5 to be chilled is positioned.

A pedestal or mount 15 is provided within the cavity 14 for receiving and supporting the receptacle thereon. The pedestal 15 is configured to rotate under action of a motor 16 which is controllable by way of a controller (not shown) mounted to the body 12. The controller (not shown) may comprise a microcontroller that is controlled by the operator of the system 10 to control the speed of rotation applied to the pedestal 15. In this regard, as the receptacle 5 is mounted on the pedestal 15 the receptacle 5 rotates with the pedestal about a central axis thereof. By controlling the motor 16, the speed and direction of rotation of the receptacle 5 can be changed to maximise the chilling rate of the beverage contained therein.

A chilling fluid 18 is supplied to the body 12 under pressure of a pump 19. The chilling fluid may be a coolant fluid or a saline solution that is capable of being chilled to low temperatures. The chilling fluid 18 is supplied to a distribution chamber 20 that extends about the perimeter of the cavity 14. The distributing chamber 20 comprises a series of pipes that distribute the pressurised cooling fluid 18 to a plurality of nozzles 21 that are mounted on an outer surface of the distributing chamber and are evenly spaced about the periphery of the cavity 14. The nozzles 21 are controlled by the controller to open, thereby spraying the chilling fluid 18 onto a surface of the receptacle 5 as it rotates. The chilling fluid 18, is then able to flow, under gravity, to collect in a sump provided in the base of the body 12. A recovery pump 22 draws the chilling fluid 18 from the sump of the body 12 for recirculation. The fluid is then sent to a heat exchanger 23 where it is further chilled to the desired temperature for delivery back to the body 12 for spraying on the receptacle present therein.

It will be appreciated that by spinning the receptacle and by having an ability to vary the speed and/or direction of the spinning receptacle, turbulence is generated within the beverage fluid that facilitated the creation of convection currents inside the receptacle to promote mixing of the contents. This is important as the beverage fluid closer to the walls of the receptacle will chill quickly and the convention currents generated will facilitate rapid mixing of the chilled beverage fluid.

Referring to Fig. 2, an alternative variation of the chilling system of the present invention is depicted as reference numeral 30. In this embodiment the system 30 is configured to perform chilling of multiple receptacles 5, with the receptacles arranged within the cavity 34 in a horizontal orientation.

As depicted, the system 30 comprises a body 32 that may have an open side door (not shown) for loading the receptacles 5 into the body 32 in a sliding manner. A mount or drawer 35 may be provided having appropriately shaped recesses for receiving the receptacles 5. A Roller 36 is provided in the drawer 35 at the base of each shaped recess and the roller 36 is in engagement with a motor (not shown) that drives the roller 36 to rotate in a predetermined direction and/or speed. Therefore, as each receptacle 5is supported on a roller 36, rotation of the roller 36 causes the associated receptacle 5 to rotate in the direction of the arrows as shown.

A plurality of nozzles 41 are mounted in a roof of the body 32 to spray chilling fluid 38 into the cavity 34 and on to the surface of the receptacles 5 as they rotate. The chilling fluid 38 is caused to travel, under gravity to a sump provided in the base of the body 32 where a recovery pump 42 collects the chilling fluid for recirculation. The used chilling fluid 38 passes through an evaporator 43 where it is chilled and returned to the body 32 for spraying over the receptacles 5 until the receptacles have reached the desired temperature.

The evaporator 43 is configured to exchange heat between the recycled chilling fluid 38 with a fluid medium that is supplied by a compressor 44 in line with a condenser 45, in a conventional manner.

As for the embodiment of Fig. 1, the system of Fig. 2 the spinning of the receptacles 5 generates a forced convection between the chilling fluid 38 being sprayed onto the surface of the receptacle 5 and the outer surface of the receptacle.

The chilled fluid inside the receptacle adjacent the wall of the receptacle is then able to mix with the other fluid within the receptacle 5 thereby rapidly chilling the beverage.

Yet another embodiment of the present invention is depicted in Figs. 3 - 7. In this embodiment the chilling system 50 is capable of chilling six receptacles at the same time.

Referring to Fig. 6, the chilling system 50 comprises a substantially cylindrical body 51 having a central post 56 extending substantially coaxially therein. The central post 56 is substantially cylindrical and has a plurality of nozzles 60 mounted in rows that extend about the outer perimeter of the central post 56, as shown. The nozzles 60 are arranged on the surface of the central post 56 so as to spray a chilling fluid 62 in an outward manner as depicted in Fig. 3. The inner walls of the body 51 is also provided with nozzles 60 mounted in rows that extend about the inner perimeter thereof to spray chilling fluid in an inward manner as depicted in Fig. 3. The chilling fluid is delivered into the internal walls of the body 51 and the central post 56 under pressure, and is channelled to each of the nozzles for spraying onto the surface of the receptacles, as described in more detail below.

A cavity 57 is formed between the inner wall of the body 51 and the outer wall of the central post 56 and has a substantial toroidal or doughnut shape. A support assembly 65 is configured to be received within the cavity 57 to receive the receptacles to be chilled.

Referring to Fig. 3, in this embodiment of the present invention the support assembly 65 comprises six supports or mounts 55 for receiving and supporting a receptacle thereon. Each of the supports 55 are free to rotate about their own central axis and are mounted on a gear plate 54, in the manner as shown in Fig. 5. The gear plate 54 has a plurality of holes formed therein to receive a stem portion a of each support 55. As is shown in Fig. 4 the gear plate 54 and supports 55 are mounted on a ring member 58 which sits on rollers 59 provided in the base of the cavity 57. Such an arrangement enables the support assembly 65 to freely rotate about a central axis.

As is more clearly shown in Fig. 5, the head portion 55b of each support 55 has a plurality of teeth formed on an outer perimeter of the underside thereof. When the supports 55 are positioned on the gear plate 54, the teeth of the head portion 55b mesh with a fixed gear wheel 53 mounted on the central portion of the gear plate 54. The external perimeter of the gear plate 54 has a plurality of teeth formed thereon to form an outer follow gear 66. The outer follow gear 66 meshes with a main drive gear 52 which is driven be a motor (not shown) to drive the gear plate in a rotary manner. In this arrangement, as the gear plate 54 rotates, each of the supports 55 in meshed engagement with the fixed gear wheel 53 also individually rotate in an opposite direction to the direction of rotation of the gear plate 54, as depicted in Fig. 3.

Referring to Fig. 7, the gear plate 54 has a central recess 54a that fits over the central post 56. In this arrangement, the supports 55 are located between the inner wall of the body 51 and the outer wall of the central post 56 such that the nozzles provided on both these walls direct chilling fluid onto the surfaces of the receptacles mounted on the supports 55, as the receptacles collective and individually rotate about the central post 56.

It will be appreciated that a lid (not shown) will be positioned to enclose the body 51 and the lid may have recesses which align with the supports 55 when the gear plate 54 is stationary. In this manner, the user can simply insert the receptacles to be chilled through the lid of the unit and they will automatically be received on a support 55. The supports 55 may have an engagement means on their upper surface to securely capture the receptacle to be chilled and the engagement means may be independently activated/deactivated by a control system to facilitate removal and placement of the receptacles for chilling.

In the embodiment of the invention depicted in Figs. 3 - 7, the receptacles undergo individual and group rotation in opposing directions, thereby maximising convection currents within the fluid of the receptacles to provide rapid mixing of the chilled fluid.

In each of the above described embodiments, the system of the present invention seeks to spray the surface of the receptacle containing the beverage with a chilling fluid whilst the receptacle is being rotated. Such a system ensures that convection currents are generated within the receptacle fluid to maximise mixing of the beverage fluid to facilitate rapid chilling.

Throughout the specification and claims the word "comprise" and its derivatives are intended to have an inclusive rather than exclusive meaning unless the contrary is expressly stated or the context requires otherwise. That is, the word "comprise" and its derivatives will be taken to indicate the inclusion of not only the listed components, steps or features that it directly references, but also other components, steps or features not specifically listed, unless the contrary is expressly stated or the context requires otherwise.

Orientational terms used in the specification and claims such as vertical, horizontal, top, bottom, upper and lower are to be interpreted as relational and are based on the premise that the component, item, article, apparatus, device or instrument will usually be considered in a particular orientation, typically with the apparatus uppermost.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that many modifications and variations may be made to the methods of the invention described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

The claims defining the invention are as follows:

1. A chilling apparatus for chilling a receptacle containing a beverage, comprising: a body having a cavity into which one or more receptacles are to be received; at least one mount to support each receptacle thereon; a plurality of nozzles for delivering a chilling fluid onto the surface of each receptacle; and a rotatory motion mechanism for providing rotary motion to each support to cause each support to rotate as the chilling fluid is delivered thereto so as to facilitate mixing of the beverage fluid present in each receptacle.

2. A chilling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the chilling fluid is recirculated.

3. A chilling apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the chilling fluid is recirculated through a heat exchanger such that the chilling fluid returned to the body is at a lower temperature than the chilling fluid leaving the body.

4. A chilling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the receptacles are arranged in a vertical orientation within the cavity.

5. A chilling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the receptacles are arranged in a horizontal orientation within the cavity.