DE202017005881U1 - Temperature control device for tempering objects - Google Patents

Abstract

Temperature control device (1) for tempering objects (100), comprising at least one receiving device (2) and at least one tempering container (3), wherein the receiving device (2) for receiving at least one object (100) at least one receiving portion (4) and wherein in which temperature control container (3) at least one temperature control (5) is received and wherein the receiving portion (4) at least partially in the temperature control (5) can be guided, characterized in that the receiving portion (4) is at least partially substantially flexible, so the object (100) can be accommodated substantially in a form-fitting manner in the receiving section (4).

Description

The present invention relates to a tempering device for tempering objects. In this case, the tempering device is particularly suitable for cooling and / or heating or warming up of objects. The tempering device comprises at least one receiving device and at least one tempering container, wherein the receiving device for receiving at least one object comprises at least one receiving portion. At least one temperature control medium is accommodated in the tempering container and the receiving portion can be guided at least in sections into this temperature control medium. The present invention further relates to a method for operating such a tempering device and an automatic machine, in particular a beverage dispenser with such a tempering device.

Currently, conventional refrigerators, refrigerated counters, refrigerated trucks, and / or cold stores are used to store, for example, refrigerated drinks and / or food for customers, depending on the location of use in shops, gas stations, supermarkets, kiosks, parties, or the like.

These conventional cooling devices are usually designed so large that always sufficiently cooled drinks and / or food are available, regardless of the actual need.

The disadvantage here, however, is that such refrigerators, refrigerated counters or the like require a relatively large footprint due to the large quantities to be stored. In addition, the permanent cooling of large quantities of beverages and / or food consumes a large amount of energy, which causes high operating costs and is also bad for the environment.

A similar problem exists when keeping warm or warming food and / or drinks.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a device for cooling and / or heating or heating drinks, foods or the like, which has a better energy balance. Another object of the present invention is to provide a device which requires less footprint.

This object is achieved by a temperature control device with the features of claim 1, by a method for operating such a device with the features of claim 12 and by a beverage dispenser with the features of claim 15. Preferred developments and refinements of the invention are subject of the dependent claims. Further advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the embodiment.

The tempering device according to the invention for tempering objects comprises at least one receiving device and at least one tempering vessel. In this case, the receiving device comprises at least one receiving portion for receiving at least one object, wherein the receiving portion is at least partially feasible in the temperature control. Furthermore, the receiving portion is formed at least partially substantially flexible, so that the object is substantially form-fitting receivable in the receiving portion.

According to the invention, the receiving portion can in particular be guided so far into the temperature control means that the object received in the receiving portion and to be cooled is surrounded to a substantial extent and preferably completely by the temperature control medium.

The receiving portion is formed at least in sections and in particular completely flexible, so that the object received for temperature control in the receiving portion is received substantially in a form-fitting manner and in particular in a form-fitting manner in the receiving portion.

Furthermore, the receiving portion preferably consists of a material which has particularly advantageous heat-transferring properties or allows a particularly good temperature transition of the temperature control to the object.

The tempering device according to the invention for tempering objects is particularly suitable for cooling and for heating objects. In this case, rapid cooling or rapid freezing of objects by means of the tempering device according to the invention is also possible. The mentioning or heating of objects, for example of baby food, can also take place by means of the tempering device according to the invention. In the following, the temperature control device according to the invention will be described predominantly for the cooling of objects. However, it is also possible to transfer all the described features to the heating or heating of objects, even if this is not explicitly stated for the individual features.

The tempering device according to the invention is suitable for tempering objects, wherein under an object in particular any kind of Container is understood. In particular, in the case of containers, the contents, for example a liquid, are cooled or heated. Thus, in particular bottles, cans, barrels, boxes, bags or the like are understood as a container. By means of the temperature control device according to the invention, containers in any shape can be received in a substantially positive fit by the special design of the receiving portion, so that an effective cooling or an effective heating is possible. In a container, for example, drinks or food may be present.

With the tempering device according to the invention, it is also possible, for example, to insert foodstuffs such as fruit or vegetables or meat directly into the receiving section so that they are immediately cooled or heated or flash frozen.

In the tempering of the temperature control device according to the invention, which is preferably thermally insulated, at least one temperature control is added, and this may be chosen differently depending on the application of the temperature control. For example, it is preferred that for cooling of objects a suitable coolant is selected, which preferably has a freezing point <= 0 ° C. For cooling, such a coolant may be provided, for example, as a liquid coolant or as a solid such as dry ice. In particular, in the case of liquid coolants or temperature control agents, at least one stirring device and / or refrigeration technology are preferably provided in order to cool the particles to a certain temperature by the temperature control medium.

The temperature control device according to the invention offers many advantages. A considerable advantage is that by means of the tempering device according to the invention objects can be heated very quickly when needed, ie "on demand". In this case, in particular objects can be cooled or heated very quickly by means of the temperature control device. This is due to the fact that the objects are received by the flexibly configured receiving portion substantially positive in this, resulting in a particularly good heat or temperature transition between tempering and object or the content of an object. For example, cooling of beverage bottles can be done on demand, so that large quantities of chilled drinks do not have to be kept in stock, which causes much higher energy consumption.

Furthermore, it is possible that objects such as containers or bottles can be accommodated by the flexible receptacle standing and lying in the receiving portion. Due to the flexible configuration of the receiving portion, the receiving portion sets tightly or positively around the object or the bottle. This also makes it possible, for example, for open bottles to be inserted or adjusted in the temperature control device.

The tempering device according to the invention may preferably be mobile or stationary. It is suitable for use in the private and commercial sector. For example, kiosks, supermarkets, petrol stations, beverage stores or the like can use the tempering device according to the invention to cool "on demand" foods or bottles or cans. Thus, the storage of large quantities of refrigerated drinks or food is not necessary, so it comes to a significant energy savings. Furthermore, this space can be saved, since the temperature control device according to the invention may be smaller than refrigerated counters and designed as conventional refrigerators.

Depending on the design of the temperature control, even larger containers can be cooled down very quickly. So it is possible, for example, that z. B. on beer kegs of beverage stalls must not be pre-cooled in a refrigerator. Is a barrel change, a Fassindie tempering is clamped for a few minutes to allow a predetermined and optimum temperature for the further dispensing operation.

Preferably, the object is received substantially fluid-tight in the receiving portion. This is to be understood in particular as meaning that the receiving portion is substantially sealed, in particular, completely fluid-tight and in particular liquid-tight with respect to the temperature control agent. It is thus particularly preferred that the objects or containers to be cooled do not come into contact with the temperature control agent. This ensures that the objects to be cooled do not come into contact with the possibly food safe coolant. Then the object does not have to be cleaned or wiped off after cooling.

Particularly preferably, the receiving portion can be transferred at least into a loading position or removal position and at least one tempering position. For example, an object is placed in the loading position on the flexible receiving portion. During the process or transfer of the receiving section into the tempering position, the receiving section preferably closes automatically so that the receiving section engages positively around the object. The tempering position during cooling of objects is also defined as a cooling position.

In suitable embodiments, the receiving device comprises at least one frame device. In this case, a frame device is to be understood in particular as a holding frame, which is preferably hinged. In the frame means preferably the flexible receiving portion can be saved, which is provided for example by a flexible mat or a silicone sheet or any suitably designed cloth-like materials.

Preferably, the frame means is formed foldable. In this case, it is in particular made of several parts or at least two parts, wherein the two parts are hinged together, so that the frame means can be folded. Thus, it is particularly preferred that the frame means is present unfolded in the loading position, so that an object or a container can be placed in the receiving portion or on the receiving portion. The frame device then collapses during the process in the tempering or cooling position, so that the flexible receiving portion rippled around the object form fit.

Preferably, the frame means is arranged movably on the temperature control. Thus, for example, the frame means may be arranged in guide rails, so that the frame means or the one side of the frame means moves along these rails, whereby the frame means collapses and is displaced from the loading position to the tempering or cooling position.

At least one clamping device is preferably provided, which is preferably provided on the receiving device or on the receiving section or on the frame device. Such a tensioning device is provided to assist the form-fitting enclosing of an object by the flexible receiving portion. In this case, for example, a clamping device may be provided as a rod, which is attached to the frame means. Thus, the flexible receiving portion can be supported when enclosing an object against this rod or against the clamping device, so that it comes to a form-fitting enclosure of the object through the receiving portion.

In advantageous developments, at least one motor device is provided. By means of the motor device, the receiving portion can preferably be displaced automatically. It is particularly preferred that the frame means is displaced by means of the motor device such that the receiving portion is displaced from the loading position into the temperature control or cooling position and vice versa. By means of the motor device preferably also other components of the temperature control device can be operated. For example, a stirrer for mixing the temperature control with such a motor can be driven.

Preferably, temperature control is arranged in and / or on the temperature control tank. Such a temperature control technique may in particular comprise cooling and / or heating elements, via which the temperature control is brought into the temperature control to a predetermined temperature. Furthermore, the temperature control according to the invention may preferably also include insulation of the temperature control and / or active refrigeration such as an active heat pump unit.

Preferably, at least one vibration device is provided in operative connection with the receiving section. Such a vibration device can, for example, set the frame device in vibration so that the vibration is indirectly transmitted to the receiving section. This results in a particularly advantageous temperature distribution within the object. This is particularly the case when, for example, containers with a liquid content -. B. beverage bottles - to be cooled. Then a mixing of the contents of the container by means of the vibration device by movement, vibration and / or sound waves can be done.

Preferably, at least one control and / or regulating device is provided. Thus, for example, an exact target temperature can be set and also the automatic movement of the receiving section into the loading or tempering position can be effected by the control and / or regulating device. In that case, it is possible in particular for the control and / or regulating device to automatically eject an object as soon as the desired temperature of the object has been reached. In particular, it can be prevented that objects become too cold or too hot.

The system according to the invention is suitable for operating a temperature control device, as described above. In this case, the receiving portion with the recorded object for a predetermined time in the temperature control means method to cool or mention the object to a predetermined temperature.

In this case, recourse is preferably made to particularly cold or hot tempering agents, in particular in the case of a desired rapid cooling or during rapid heating.

The system according to the invention also offers the advantages that have already been implemented for the tempering device.

Preferably, the receiving portion is at least temporarily vibrated. This results in an optimal temperature distribution in the object, especially when objects with a liquid content, such as bottles to be cooled. In particular, it is prevented that form temperature hotspots during tempering, whereby certain areas of the object to be tempered may become too hot or too cold. For example, by putting in vibration, a freezing of drinks during cooling can be prevented.

Particularly preferably, the receiving portion is automatically moved out of the temperature control as soon as a predetermined temperature is reached. For this purpose, in particular the receiving device is designed to be motorized or designed for automatic operation. Furthermore, in such an embodiment, in particular a control and regulating device is provided, so that an automatic evaluation of the objects can be ensured as soon as a predetermined temperature is reached.

The automatic machine according to the invention, in particular a beverage dispenser, comprises at least one tempering device, as has been described above. Thus, in addition to a store for drinks and / or food, an automatic machine according to the invention also comprises a tempering device according to the invention, by means of which "drinks and / or foodstuffs can be cooled or heated on demand". By such an embodiment of a machine can be achieved in particular that the operating costs are reduced, since a much smaller amount of energy for the temperature of the temperature control must be expended in the temperature control, as for the storage of many cooled or heated drinks or food.

Further advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the embodiment, which will be explained below with reference to the accompanying figures.

In the figures show:

1 a purely schematic representation of a temperature control device according to the invention in a sectional view;

2 a purely schematic representation of the receiving device of a temperature control device according to the invention in the loading position in a perspective view;

3 a purely schematic representation of the receiving device of a temperature control device according to the invention in the cooling position in a perspective view; and

4 a purely schematic representation of a beverage dispenser with a temperature control device according to the invention.

In 1 is purely schematically a tempering device according to the invention 1 shown, which in the embodiment shown for the cooling of containers 200 or of beverage bottles 300 is provided. In other embodiments, the temperature control 1 also be adapted to other objects 100 absorb and / or heat or shock-freeze or heat. Thus, in particular, any type of container, such as barrels, boxes, bottles, Tupper, bags or other containers by means of the tempering 1 be brought to a certain temperature. Depending on the design but also loose objects 100 such as fruits or vegetables in the temperature control device according to the invention 1 be tempered.

The temperature control device according to the invention 1 according to 1 comprises in the embodiment shown a tempering 3 , which with a temperature control 5 is filled. This temperature control is in the embodiment shown a refrigerant 14 , which has a freezing point below 0 °. In the embodiment shown is a stirrer 15 with a motor 10 provided, via which the refrigerant 14 moved and thus mixed.

To the temperature control 5 To bring to the desired temperature and to keep on this, is in the illustrated temperature control device according to the invention 1 Temperiertechnik 11 provided, this temperature control technique 11 in the embodiment shown an insulation 16 of the temperature control tank 3 and active refrigeration 17 or an active heat pump unit includes.

Furthermore, in the embodiment shown, two receiving devices 2 provided, which in the embodiment shown on the upper edge of the temperature control 3 are arranged movable. The recording devices 2 each comprise a receiving section 4 , which is flexible and formed by a cloth-like or mat-like structure 18 provided. Here is the left receiving device 2 in the loading position 6 represented, which at the same time the Removal position corresponds. In this position, an object is in or on the receiving section 4 placed.

On the recording device 2 on the right is in the tempering position 7 method, which in the embodiment shown a cooling position 7 equivalent. In this position 7 is that on the recording section 4 launched object 100 positively in the flexible receiving portion 4 arranged and in the temperature control 5 submerged or moved.

Due to the flexible design of the receiving portion 4 the object is positively received in the receiving portion, whereby a particularly effective heat transfer between the temperature control 5 and the object 100 over the receiving section 4 can be done.

Here is the receiving section 4 in particular designed such that the object fluid or not in contact with the temperature control 5 in the receiving section 4 is included. This will avoid the object to be cooled 100 in contact with the temperature control 5 comes.

For moving the receiving device 2 or the receiving section 4 from the loading position 6 in the cooling position 7 includes the receiving device 2 a frame device 8th at which the receiving section 4 is included.

In 2 is purely schematically a perspective view of a receiving device 2 a tempering device according to the invention 1 shown. Again, you can see the frame device 8th , on which the flexibly configured receiving section 4 is arranged.

In this case, the frame device 8th by a two-part or two-part holding frame 19 provided with the two parts of the holder frame 19 are hinged together.

Furthermore, on the support frame 19 or at the frame device 8th chucks 9 provided, which in the embodiment shown here by rods 20 to provide. At these bars 20 supports the receiving section 4 off when a resting object from the loading position 6 in the cooling position 7 is moved. Thus, a particularly effective form-fitting recording of an object 100 in the receiving section 4 be achieved because the clamping device 9 the receiving section 4 around the object 100 pushes around or the object 100 in the receiving section 4 clamps.

In 3 is the recording device 2 according to 2 in the cooling position 7 shown. In this position is an object to be cooled 100 and in the embodiment shown in particular a container 200 or a bottle 300 in the flexible receiving section 4 positively received and also fluid-tight.

This results in a particularly effective heat transfer between the object 100 and temperature control 5 achieved because the receiving section 4 in the embodiment shown particularly suitable heat-transferring properties and on the other form fit to the object 100 is applied. Thus, a particularly effective temperature transition of the temperature control 5 on the object 100 be achieved. It can be seen in the embodiment shown also, as the flexible receiving portion 4 against the clamping devices 9 or the bars 20 supported.

Depending on the configuration of the receiving device 2 or the receiving section 4 It is possible to record different objects with positive fit. Among other things, by the positive recording of an object 100 in the receiving section 4 Also ensures that even open containers or open bottles safely absorbed and in the temperature control 5 can be driven, so that even open bottles can be cooled quickly and easily.

In 4 is purely schematically an automaton 400 and in particular a drinks machine 400 in which a temperature control device according to the invention 1 is installed.

Such a machine 400 can be like in 4 shown as a pure drink machine 400 and / or as an automaton 400 be designed for food such as snacks, soups, etc.

In this case, the beverage store shown in the embodiment is 401 of the drinks vending machine 400 with a variety of bottles 402 and cans 403 filled. However, this is the liquor store 401 not provided cooled in the embodiment shown.

Drinks or objects 100 be in such a machine 400 stored at room temperature and only "tempered on demand". This can save considerable operating costs.

Furthermore, it is possible that a user when choosing a drink can determine whether this drink should be cooled or not. If he chooses a cooled drink, this can then quickly by means of the temperature control device according to the invention 1 be cooled. If a chilled beverage is desired, this may also have a different price compared to a non-cooled beverage, depending on the location and design.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

tempering

2

recording device

3

tempering

4

receiving portion

5

temperature control

6

Loading position / removal position

7

Temperierposition / cooling position

8th

frame means

9

tensioning device

10

motor means

11

Temperiertechnik

12

vibrator

13

Control / regulating device

14

refrigerant

15

stirrer

16

insulation

17

refrigeration technology

18

structure

19

holding frame

20

Rod

100

object

200

container

300

bottle

400

Machine / Vending Machine

401

beverage storage

402

bottle

403

can

Claims (15)

Tempering device ( 1 ) for tempering objects ( 100 ) comprising at least one receiving device ( 2 ) and at least one tempering tank ( 3 ), the receiving device ( 2 ) for receiving at least one object ( 100 ) at least one receiving section ( 4 ) and wherein in the temperature control container ( 3 ) at least one temperature control agent ( 5 ) and wherein the receiving section ( 4 ) at least in sections in the temperature control ( 5 ) is feasible, characterized in that the receiving section ( 4 ) is at least partially substantially flexible, so that the object ( 100 ) substantially form-fitting in the receiving portion ( 4 ) is receivable. Tempering device ( 1 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that the object ( 100 ) substantially fluid-tight in the receiving portion ( 4 ) is receivable. Tempering device ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receiving section ( 4 ) at least into a loading position ( 6 ) and a tempering position ( 7 ) is convertible. Tempering device ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receiving device ( 2 ) at least one frame device ( 8th ). Tempering device ( 1 ) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the frame means ( 8th ) is foldable. Tempering device ( 1 ) According to one of the two preceding claims, characterized in that frame means ( 8th ) movable on the tempering container ( 3 ) is arranged. Tempering device ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one tensioning device ( 9 ) is provided. Tempering device ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one motor device ( 10 ) is provided. Tempering device ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in and / or on the temperature control container ( 3 ) Temperature control technology ( 11 ) is arranged. Tempering device ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one vibration device ( 12 ) in operative connection with the receiving section ( 4 ) is provided. Tempering device ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one control and / or regulating device is provided. System for operating a temperature control device ( 1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized in that at least one object ( 100 ) in the receiving device ( 2 ) and from the receiving section ( 4 ) is positively received and that the receiving section ( 4 ) with the recorded object ( 100 ) for a predetermined time in the temperature control ( 5 ) is introduced. System according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the receiving section ( 4 ) is vibrated at least temporarily. Method according to one of the two preceding claims, characterized in that the receiving section ( 4 ) automatically from the temperature control agent ( 5 ) is moved out as soon as a predetermined temperature is reached. Automaton ( 400 ) comprising at least one tempering device ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 11.

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