EP0977969A1

EP0977969A1 - Can cooling device

Info

Publication number: EP0977969A1
Application number: EP98902276A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Song Kwon Yoo
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1997-10-13
Filing date: 1998-02-03
Publication date: 2000-02-09
Also published as: WO1999019677A1; KR19990015133U; KR200166217Y1; AU5882598A

Abstract

Disclosed is a can cooling device which is capable of making beer or other beverages stored within a can considerably cool at a high speed. The can cooling device which installs an aluminum cylinder (1) into which a high pressure of liquefied refrigerant is stored, on the interior of a can (20) for beer or other beverages, the aluminum cylinder being pierced and broken down by means of a pin (3). In other words, the high pressure of refrigerant is rapidly carburetted, while escaped from the aluminum cylinder (1), both the beer or other beverages within the can (20) and the can itself can be cooled at a high speed.

Description

CAN COOLING DEVICE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a can cooling device which is capable of making beer or other beverages stored within a can considerably cool at a high speed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Generally, if beer or other beverages stored in a conventional can are to be cooled in the summer season, the can in which beer or other beverages are stored should put into a refrigerator device during a predetermined period time and, when it reaches a predetermined cooling temperature, it is taken out of the refrigerator device and is consumed.

However, there still remains a problem to be solved that a consumer who wants to consume the beer or other beverages within the can should wait for a long time period until beer or other beverages stored in the can are fully cooled after putting the can into the refrigerator device.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a can cooling device which is capable of making beer or other beverages stored within a can rapidly cool.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a can cooling device which can be portable and harmless to human body . Still another object of the present invention is to provide a can cooling device which can prevent a user from being frostbitten, while being treated. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a can cooling device which is capable of inserting a refrigerant into an aluminum cylinder in an easy manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To achieve these and other objects according to the present invention, there is provided a can cooling device which installs an aluminum cylinder into which a high pressure of liquefied refrigerant is stored, on the interior of a can for beer or other beverages, the aluminum cylinder being pierced and broken down by means of a pin. In other words, the high pressure of refrigerant is rapidly carburetted, while escaped from the aluminum cylinder, both the beer or other beverages within the can and the can itself can be cooled at a high speed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects and aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view illustrating a can including a can cooling device constructed according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a plan view of FIG. 1 ; FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along a line III-III of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4A is a schematic exploded sectional view illustrating a main part of FIG. 3 ;

FIG. 4B is an enlarged sectional view of a portion "A" of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view illustrating a can including a can cooling device constructed according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view of the cooling device of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a partial sectional view illustrating a can including a can cooling device constructed according to a third embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional view of the cooling device of FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, an explanation on the construction of a can cooling device constructed according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be in detail discussed with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4B . FIG. 1 is a side view illustrating a can including a can cooling device constructed according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view of FIG. 1.

Further, FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along a line III-III of FIG. 2. FIG. 4A is a schematic exploded sectional view illustrating a main part of FIG. 3. FIG. 4B is an enlarged sectional view of a portion "A" of FIG. 4A.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4B, there is provided a can cooling device constructed according to a first embodiment of the present invention which includes: an aluminum cylinder 1 in which a refrigerant is stored; a valve 30 which is mounted on the aluminum cylinder 1, for controlling injection/ejection of the refrigerant; a female socket 2 having a nut portion 2a which is coupled with a screw portion la formed on the outer peripheral surface of one side (a lower portion) of the aluminum cylinder 1 and having a plurality of clicks 2c which are formed toward a through hole 2b formed on the inner peripheral surface portion thereof; a pin 3 which is inserted into the through hole 2b within the female socket 2 to open a plate 32 of the valve 30 and if beer or other beverages within a can 20 are to be consumed, serves to pierce a bottom surface lb of the aluminum cylinder 1; a spring 5 which is installed between a flange portion 3a formed integrally with the pin 3 and a protruded end portion 2d formed on the through hole 2b of the female socket 2, to push the pin 3 in a downward direction; a cap 7 which includes a male socket 6 having a plurality of spiral projection portions 6a which are each coupled with the clicks 2c protrudedly formed on the inner side of the through hole 2b of the female socket 2 and a plurality of nozzles 6c which serve to carburet the refrigerant leaked from the bottom surface lb of the aluminum cylinder 1 and guide it to the exterior, for ejecting a carburetted oxygen to the exterior to thereby facilitate the cooling of the can 20; a packing 4 which is installed between the female socket 2 and the upper portion of a bottom surface 21 of the can 20, for preventing the beer or other beverages stored within the can 20 from being escaped; and a safety plate 9 which is made of an aluminum tape for protecting the lower portion of the pin 3 from an external force, to thereby prevent the bottom surface lb of the aluminum cylinder 1 from being pierced due to a malfunction of the pin 3.

Preferably, the cap 7, which is made of a resin material, includes the male socket 6 having the plurality of spiral projection portions 6a which are each coupled with the clicks 2c protrudedly formed on the inner side of the through hole 2b of the female socket 2, a through hole 6b which is formed in a length direction, and the plurality of nozzles 6c which carburet the liquefied oxygen leaked from the bottom surface lb of the aluminum cylinder 1 and guide it to the exterior. Simultaneously, the cap 7 further includes a plurality of projections 7a which are formed in a length direction, while being spaced apart by a predetermined distance, for cooling the can 20 under the action of carburetted heat of the liquefied oxygen leaked through the plurality of nozzles 6c of the male socket 6 to thereby eject the carburetted oxygen to the exterior. Substantially, the aluminium cylinder 1, the female socket 2 coupled with the screw portion la of the aluminum cylinder 1, and the packing 4 are installed on the upper portion of the bottom surface 21 of the can 20. Meanwhile, the male socket 6 is adapted to be coupled with the female socket 2 under the mechanical pressure force thereof through the through hole 21a on the bottom surface 21 of the can 20.

Further, a head portion (where the flange portion 3a as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4A is formed) of the pin 3 is adapted to be exposed within a reentrant groove 7b which is formed on the bottom surface of the cap 7 under an elastic force of the spring 5.

The valve 30 is designed to be coupled on the lower portion of the aluminum cylinder 1, and a packing 40 is provided between the bottom surface lb of the aluminum cylinder 1 and the spiral flange portion 31a of the valve 30, for preventing the refrigerant within the aluminum cylinder 1 from being leaked.

Preferably, the valve30 is comprised of: a cylindrical body 31 which has a spiral flange portion 31a on an opening portion thereof and a chimney hole 31b for injecting/ ejecting the refrigerant on the one side thereof; a plate 32 which is mounted within the cylindrical body 31, for opening/closing the opening portion of the cylindrical body 31, to thereby control the injecting/ejecting states of the refrigerant; a packing 34 which is installed between the plate 32 and a protruded end portion within the cylindrical body 31, for preventing the refrigerant within the aluminum cylinder 1 from being escaped; and a spring 35 which is mounted between a ceiling portion of the cylindrical body 31 and the plate 32, for pushing the plate 32 towards the opening portion of the cylindrical body 31, to thereby prevent the refrigerant within the aluminum cylinder 1 from being escaped.

On the upper portion of the plate 32 a projection 32a as integrated with the plate 32 is installed to secure the spring 35 on a predetermined position. The packings 4, 34 and 40 function as a means for preventing the refrigerant within the aluminum cylinder 1 from being escaped, but may be preferably made with a synthetic resin, a natural rubber, an artificial rubber or a teflon. Now, an explanation on the operation and effect of a can cooling device constructed according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be discussed in detail .

If beer or other beverages within the can in which the can cooling device according to the present invention is provided are to be coolingly consumed, the can 20 is firstly turned over and the safety plate 9 made of the aluminum adhesive tape attached on to the bottom surface of the cap 7 is pressed or separated. Then, the pin 3 is pressed. As a result, the pin 3 pushes the plate 32 of the valve 30 which is mounted on the bottom surface lb of the aluminum cylinder 1 toward the upper portion of the chimney hole 31b of the cylindrical body 31.

At this time, the refrigerant stored within the aluminum cylinder 1 is ejected to the nozzles 6c through the chimney hole 31b formed on the side wall of the cylindrical body 31, the through hole 2b on the female socket 2, and the through hole 6b on the male socket 6.

The refrigerant is carburetted when passed through the nozzles 6c and absorbs surrounding heat. Next, the refrigerant is ejected to the exterior through passages 15 which are formed by means of the plurality of projections 7a on the outer peripheral surface of the can 20 and on the inner peripheral surface of the cap 7.

At the time, beer or other beverages stored in the can 20 are cooled up to a temperature of about 4 to 6°c under the effect of the carburetted heat of the refrigerant, and simultaneously, since the aluminum cylinder 1 is installed on the interior of the can 20, leakage of the refrigerant allows the drinks around the aluminum cylinder 1 to be cooled. Of course, the cooling temperature may be varied by adjusting an amount of the refrigerant stored within the aluminum cylinder 1.

When the refrigerant within the aluminum cylinder 1 becomes escaped, since beer or other beverages have been cooled up to a temperature of about 4 to 6°c, the can 20 is turned over and a cover of the can 20 is opened.

Above all, it should be noted that a time period required for cooling beer or other beverages stored in the interior of the can 20 is about 20 seconds. The refrigerant used in the preferred embodiment of the present invention employs a liquefied nitrogen or a liquefied oxygen which does not give any harm to a human body as well as does not any affect on natural environment. Particularly, in case of employing the refrigerant of liquefied oxygen, if the carburetted oxygen is absorbed by the human body, there occurs an additional advantages in that he or she can absorb a large amount of oxygen to thus maintain his/her good health.

In addition, since in the can cooling device according to the first embodiment of the present invention the projection portions 6a formed integrally with the cap 7 which are each coupled with the clicks 2c on the female socket 2, not to be separated from each other, the can 20 on which the can cooling device is installed can be always portable and, if desired, beer or other beverages stored in the can 20 can be cooled at a high speed. Furthermore, since in the can cooling device according to the first embodiment of the present invention the packing 4 made of a natural rubber, an artificial rubber, a synthetic resin, or teflon is installed between the bottom surface of the female socket 2 and the upper portion of the bottom surface 21 of the can 20 covered on a shoulder portion 6e of the male socket 6, beer or other beverages within the can 20 are not leaked at all to the interior of the cap 7.

On the other hand, since in the can cooling device according to the first embodiment of the present invention the flange portion 3a formed integrally with the pin 3 becomes in contact with the protruded end portion 6d of the through hole 6b on the male socket 6, the pin 3 can be prevented from being excessively exposed to the reentrant groove 7b of the cap 7.Additionally, the pin 3 is pushed towards the opposite side (the lower portion side in FIG. 3) of the aluminum cylinder 1 by means of the spring 5 and the safety plate 9 which is separated from the head portion (the flange portion 3a) of the pin 3 is attached to cover the reentrant groove 7b on the bottom surface of the cap 7, such that the leakage of the refrigerant within the aluminum cylinder 1 caused due to the malfunction of the pin 3 can be prevented.

Furthermore, since in the can cooling device according to the first embodiment of the present invention the liquefied oxygen or the carburetted oxygen can not be leaked to the lower portion of the cap 7, there are some advantages in that the device eliminates unnecessary anxiety on frostbite caused due to the refrigerant ejected from the aluminum cylinder 1 and is substantially convenient and safe upon used. In the first embodiment of the present invention, the number of the passages 15 which are formed between the can 20 and the cap 7 for ejecting the carburetted oxygen to the exterior is preferably 8, but may be decreased or increased in accordance with the number of the projections 7a formed in the length direction on the inner peripheral surface of the cap 7. At the time, preferably, the number of the nozzles 6c is the same as that of the decreased or increased number of the passages 15.

As previously noted, the can cooling device constructed according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes: an aluminum cylinder in which a refrigerant is stored; a valve which is mounted on the aluminum cylinder, for controlling injection/ejection of the refrigerant; a female socket which has a nut portion which is coupled with a screw portion formed on the outer peripheral surface of one side of the aluminum cylinder and having a plurality of clicks which are formed toward a through hole formed on the inner peripheral surface portion thereof; a pin which is inserted into the through hole within the female socket to open a plate of the valve; a spring which is installed between a flange portion with the pin and a protruded end portion formed on the through hole of the female socket, to push the pin toward the opposite side to the aluminum cylinder; and a cap which is coupled to the female socket, for carburetting the refrigerant stored in the aluminum cylinder to cool beer or other beverages within the can and thus for ejecting the carburetted oxygen to the exterior.

Accordingly, the can cooling device according to the first embodiment of the present invention has the following advantages: 1) the device can be portable and the drinks stored in the can can be cooled for a short time period; 2 ) the valve is mounted on the aluminum cylinder, such that the refrigerant is injected in an ease manner into the aluminum cylinder; and 3) the beer or other beverages stored in the can can be at a high speed cooled, while the refrigerant stored in the aluminum cylinder is being ejected.

Next, an explanation on the construction of a can cooling device constructed according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be discussed with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 in detail. As shown in FIG. 5, a large portion of a can cooling device 42 is placed on the reentrant central portion of the lower portion of a can 41, such that the can cooling device 42 can not be functioned as an obstacle upon handling cans for beer or other beverages . FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view of the cooling device of FIG. 5. In construction, the can cooling device 42 is comprised of an aluminum cylinder 43 which is formed as a unitary body with a connecting portion 43a and a pin body 44 which passes through the bottom surface of the can 41 to be inserted into the connecting portion 43a. In other words, the can cooling device according to the second embodiment of the present invention is comprised of only the aluminum cylinder 43 and the pin body 44.

The pin body 44 is preferably comprised of a body 44a which is made of a plastic material such as poly prophylane and a pin 44b which is coupled to be integral with the body 44a, while upwardly and downwardly passing through the body 44a. That is, the body 44a is injection-molded in the state where the pin 44a is placed in a constant position, to thereby be formed as a unitary body with the pin 55b. Moreover, vertically and horizontally connected holes hi and h.2 are formed in the vicinity of the pin 44b within the body 44a, which each function as a passage for ejecting high pressure liquefied gas generated upon the destruction of the aluminum cylinder 43. Of course, the front end portion of the pin 44b is protruded on the top end portion of the vertical hole hi.

The connecting portion 43a, which is formed on the lower end of the aluminum cylinder 43, is made of an aluminum thin plate material which is the same as that of the aluminum cylinder 4 and takes a form of a cylindrical shape which has a curved wall surface. Also, the top end portion of the body 44a takes a corresponding form to the connecting portion 43a, such that the pin body 44 which has a front end portion being passed through the through hole of the bottom surface of the can 41 and the aluminum cylinder 43 within the can 1 can maintain their rigid coupling states .

On the other hand, it is desirable that the bottom end portion of the body 44a takes a form of a reentrant shape to thereby hide the head portion of the pin 44b. As shown in FIG. 6, it is desirable that the head portion of the pin 44b is sealed with a safety film 44c which is made of an aluminum thin film, a vinyl film, or other materials.

Upon handling cans for beer or other beverages in which the can cooling device according to the second embodiment of the present invention is installed, the head portion of the pin 44b is pressed in the state where the safety film 44c is separated or attached and the front end portion thereof pierces the lower end portion of the aluminum cylinder 43, to thereby eject the high pressure liquefied gas within the aluminum cylinder 43. At the time, the high pressure liquefied gas is carburetted while being ejected from the holes hi and h2 and absorbs a great amount of heat, to thereby render the beer or other beverages within the can 1 greatly cool at a high speed.

In the second embodiment of the present invention, the curved shape of the connecting portion 43a on the lower end of the aluminum cylinder 43 may be of course shaped correspondingly to the upper end portion of the pin body 44. In other words, the shapes of the connecting portion and the pin body are not limited as those in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, but may be modified in various shapes.

As mentioned above, a can cooling device according to the second embodiment of the present invention can reduce the number of components to ensure that a manufacturing process is simple and production cost is reduced. Finally, an explanation on the construction of a can cooling device constructed according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be in detail discussed with - De reference to FIGS. 7 and 8.

As shown in FIG. 7, a lower end portion of a can cooling device 52 is placed on the reentrant central portion of the lower portion of a can 51, such that the can cooling device 52 can not be functioned as an obstacle upon treating beer cans or other cans for beer or other beverages .

FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional view of the cooling device of FIG. 7. In construction, the can cooling device 52 is comprised of an aluminum cylinder 53 having a lower end portion which takes a curved shape, a supporting body 54 having a connecting portion 54a which passes through the lower end surface of the can 51, an intermediate body 55 which couples the aluminum cylinder 53 and the supporting body 54, and a pin 56 which is inserted into a hollow of the supporting body 54. In other words, the can cooling device according to the third embodiment of the present invention is comprised of only the aluminum cylinder 53, the supporting body 54, the intermediate body 55 and the pin 56. As shown in FIG. 8, toothed grooves are upwardly formed on the outer peripheral surface of the top end portion of the supporting body 54 of a hollow circular pillar shape, and contrarily, toothed projections are upwardly formed on the inner wall of the hollow on the lower end of the intermediate body 55, to correspond with the above grooves. Once if the corresponding toothed grooves and projections formed on the supporting body 54 and the intermediate body 55 which are made of a plastic material such as poly prophylane are coupled to each other, their coupled states can be rigidly maintained, while not being separated from each other. Also, the upper end portion of the intermediate body 55 is coupled with the lower end portion of the aluminum cylinder 53.

The hollow within the supporting body 54 is designed to be narrow on the lower end portion thereof, such that a narrow lower end portion of the pin 56 is inserted into the lower end portion of the supporting body 54. Moreover, another upwardly toothed projections are formed at predetermined positions within the intermediate body 55 through which the front end portion of the pin 56 is passed, such that the pin 56 which has been ascended can not be descended because it is inserted into the left and right projections .

In addition, a thin hole is formed from the hollow within the supporting body 54 in which the pin 56 is mounted, which functions as a passage from which a high pressure liquefied gas is ejected upon destruction of the aluminum cylinder 53. Also, the contacted surface of the can 51 with the supporting body 54 is designed to be curved correspondingly to that of the supporting body 54, such that preferably, the supporting body 54 and the associated parts therewith can be firmly secured on the bottom surface of the can 51.

On the other hand, it is desirable that the bottom end portion of the supporting body 54 takes a form of a reentrant shape to thereby hide the head portion of the pin 56. As shown in FIG. 8, it is desirable that the head portion of the pin 56 is sealed with a safety film 57 which is made of an aluminum thin film, a vinyl film, or other materials .

In the third embodiment of the present invention, the curved shape of the connecting portion 54a on the lower end of the aluminum cylinder 53 may be of course shaped correspondingly to the intermediate body 55. As mentioned above, a can cooling device according to the third embodiment of the present invention can reduce the number of components and reinforce the coupling strength between the components to thereby ensure that a manufacturing process is simple, production cost is reduced, and quality improvement is accomplished.

Although a preferred form o.f the invention has been described, it will be understood by those skilled in the field that variations therefrom, and analogous uses, are within the knowledge of those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended that the scope of the invention be defined, not by the scope of the foregoing description, but rather by the scope of the claims as interpreted in view of the pertinent prior art.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A can cooling device, comprising: an aluminum cylinder in which a refrigerant is stored; a valve mounted on said aluminum cylinder, for controlling injection/ejection of the refrigerant; a female socket having a nut portion which is coupled with a screw portion formed on the outer peripheral surface of one side of said aluminum cylinder and having a plurality of clicks which are formed toward a through hole formed on the inner peripheral surface portion thereof; a pin adapted to be inserted into said through hole within said female socket to open a plate of said valve and if beer or other beverages within a can are to be consumed, serving to pierce a bottom surface of said aluminum cylinder; a first spring installed between a flange portion formed integrally with said pin and a protruded end portion formed on said through hole of said female socket, to push said pin in a downward direction; a cap comprising: a male socket including a plurality of spiral projection portions which are each coupled with said clicks protrudedly formed on the inner side of said through hole of said female socket, and a plurality of nozzles which carburet the refrigerant leaked from said bottom surface of said aluminum cylinder and guide it to the exterior, for ejecting a carburetted oxygen to the exterior to facilitate cooling of the can; and a plurality of projections formed in a length direction, while being spaced apart by a predetermined distance, for cooling the can under the action of carburetted heat of the liquefied oxygen leaked through said plurality of nozzles on said male socket to thereby eject the carburetted oxygen to the exterior; a first packing installed between said female socket and the upper portion of a bottom surface of the can, for preventing the beer or other beverages stored within the can from being escaped; and a safety plate for protecting the lower portion of said pin from an external force, to thereby prevent said bottom surface of said aluminum cylinder .from being pierced due to a malfunction of said pin.

2. The can cooling device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said valve comprises: a cylindrical body having a spiral flange portion on an opening portion thereof and a chimney hole for injecting/ejecting the refrigerant on the one side thereof; a plate mounted within said cylindrical body, for opening/closing the opening portion of said cylindrical body, to thereby control injecting/ejecting states of the refrigerant ; a second packing which is installed between said plate and a protruded end portion within said cylindrical body, for preventing the refrigerant within said aluminum cylinder from being escaped; and a second spring mounted between a ceiling portion of said cylindrical body and said plate, for pushing said plate towards the opening portion of said cylindrical body, to thereby prevent the refrigerant within said aluminum cylinder from being escaped.

3. A can cooling device, comprising: an aluminum cylinder in which a high pressure liquefied gas is stored and having a connecting portion formed on a lower end thereof, as a unitary body therewith; and a pin body passing through a bottom surface of a can to be inserted into said connecting portion.

4. The can cooling device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said pin body comprises: a body which is made of a plastic material; and a pin which is coupled to be integral with said body, while upwardly, and downwardly passing through said body.

5. The can cooling device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said connecting portion takes a form of a cylindrical shape which has a curved wall surface, and the top end portion of said body takes a form corresponding to said connecting portion.

6. The can cooling device as claimed in claim 4, wherein said pin forms vertically and horizontally connected holes around thereon.

7. The can cooling device as claimed in claim 3 , 4 or

5, wherein said body takes a form of a reentrant shape on the lower end portion thereof, to be thereby sealed with a safety film.

8. A can cooling device, comprising: an aluminum cylinder in which a high pressure liquefied gas is stored and having a lower end portion which takes a curved shape; a supporting body having a connecting portion which passes through the lower end surface of a can; an intermediate body for coupling said aluminum cylinder and said supporting body; and a pin inserted into a hollow of said supporting body.

9. The can cooling device as claimed in claim 8, wherein said supporting body, which takes a hollow circular pillar shape, forms upwardly toothed grooves on the outer peripheral surface of the top end portion thereof, and said intermediate body forms first upwardly toothed projections on the inner wall of said hollow on the lower end thereof, to correspond with the grooves .

10. The can cooling device as claimed in claim 8 or 9 , wherein said hollow within said supporting body is designed to be narrow on the lower end portion thereof.

11. The can cooling device as claimed in claim 8 or 9 , wherein said intermediate body forms second upwardly toothed projections at predetermined positions therein through which the front end portion of said pin is passed.

12. The can cooling device as claimed in claim 8, 9, or 10, wherein said supporting body takes a form of a reentrant shape on the lower end portion thereof, to be thereby sealed with a safety film.