EP1450118B1 - Cooling device for liquids in holders - Google Patents

Abstract

Device (1) for cooling a liquid in a container, especially a drink in a bottle, comprises a hollow body (10) filled with a coolant and inserted in the container. Preferred Features: The cooling device is rod- shaped and made of metal, glass, porcelain or ceramic.

Description

The invention relates to a cooling device for liquids in containers, in particular drinks in bottles, with the preamble features of claim 1, from the JP 2001/048244 are known. Here, a discharge opening for pouring the liquid is shown, but only a relatively small. Flow is likely to reach.

For the cooling of liquids in containers, for example drinks in bottles, there are different possibilities. On the one hand it is possible to keep the beverage bottle in the fridge or in the cool cellar and to consume it immediately. Especially with white wine, sparkling wine or other alcoholic beverages that are consumed over a certain period of time and are enjoyed in a refrigerated state, the cooling is only in the refrigerator insufficient or not satisfactory. For this reason, containers are known in the already pre-cooled beverage bottle is set and then placed on the table or elsewhere. The cooling of the beverage bottle takes place depending on the principle used in different ways. So cooling containers are known in which the cooling is done by filled ice; as an example, the well-known champagne bucket is called. Furthermore, cooling containers made of clay or other porous material are known, which are inserted into water and then release the stored water in them, whereby evaporation cooling is generated, which in turn cools the set beverage bottles. Furthermore, double-walled cooling containers are known in which a certain air gap between the container walls, so that an insulating effect occurs. A similar principle is also achieved for example by sleeves made of an insulating material. However, such cooling containers only cause the already existing temperature, eg. B. the wine bottle is held; a cooling down is not possible.

Furthermore, in such a double-walled container and coolant may be filled, such as from the US 6,357,253 known. The known cooling containers had numerous disadvantages. So they take away a relatively large amount of space, which is disadvantageous for example when stored. Especially in restaurants must then stored some of these cooling tanks and be kept. Furthermore, depending on the size of the container, different cooling containers are needed; For example, a champagne bottle usually does not fit in a wine cooler. From the WO 98/30848 Finally, a device is known with which liquids can be cooled. This device comprises an adsorbent into which gas is introduced under pressure and whose temperature is reduced by releasing the gas. This chiller is placed in a beverage can during their manufacture and sealed with this. When opening the beverage can, for example by means of the usual ring closure, the gas is released and thus cooled the drink. This device has the disadvantage that it can be used only once, since it is "destroyed" by the opening of the beverage can. Further, the adsorbent and the cooling device is supplied with the beverage can the garbage, which is unacceptable for environmental reasons.

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a cooling device for liquids in containers, in particular drinks in bottles, with which the liquid can be cooled or which at least maintains the temperature of the cooled liquid over a certain period of time. The cooling device should be applicable to a wide range of containers and they should be as space-saving storage.

This object is achieved by a cooling device according to claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

The inventive cooling device for liquids in containers, in particular drinks in bottles, has a hollow body which is filled with a coolant and which is insertable into the container. In the cooling device according to the invention, this is introduced into the bottle itself. Thus, the liquid is brought directly into contact with the cooling device and not, as in the common containers through the bottle wall. The direct contact of the liquid with the cooling device increases the cooling efficiency. Unlike the one from the WO 98/30848 known cooling device, is the cooling device according to the invention however, to use as often as desired and completely independent of the manufacturing process of the liquid container and also the filling process of the liquid. Moreover, the cooling device according to the invention is comparatively small; it fits through the opening of the liquid container, for example through the neck of a wine bottle. As a result, it takes up very little space during storage.

In addition, it is provided that with the cooling device, a discharge opening is connected, via which the liquid in the container can be passed through. Thus, the cooling device according to the invention can always remain in the bottle and must not be removed, for example, when pouring the beverage. Thus, the beverage is passed through the cooling device and brought outside to be poured. For this purpose, a so-called gift cone is provided. This has a conical shape with friction-increasing means, in particular a Gummiringkekegel, whereby the cooling device is adaptable to different container opening sizes. It is the donut cone to a partially open hollow body, d. H. a hollow body having openings. Through these openings, the liquid is passed and discharged at the top of the tipping cone through a new opening. The pouring cone is thus inserted into the container opening and securely fixed in this with the conical rubber ring.

In the preferred embodiment takes place via the fixation of the tipping cone and the fixation of the element of the cooling device in the liquid container in which the coolant is contained. Next is a so-called ventilation pipe available. It is a hollow tube with at least one lateral opening, which is insertable into the pouring cone and over which the liquid is passed. Thus, the pouring cone allows the adaptation to the size of the container opening and the vent tube the removal of the liquid through the pouring cone through. To fix this in the liquid container, the hollow body may also be designed conical and holding devices in the form of rubber rings or the like. Thereby, the cooling device in the container opening additionally fixed and protrudes with its end into the liquid. Thus, the cooling device for a variety of container sizes is applicable and store space.

Fig. 1

eine zeichnerische Darstellung eines Ausführungsbeispiels einer erfindungsgemäße Kühlvorrichtung,

Fig. 2

die Kühlvorrichtung aus Fig. 1 in perspektivischer Darstellung;

Fig. 3

eine Seitenansicht eines Schenkkegels der erfindungsgemäßen Kühlvorrichtung der Fig.1

Fig. 4

eine um 90 ° gedrehte Seitenansicht des Schenkkegels;

Fig. 5

eine perspektivische Darstellung eines Schenkkegels;

Fig. 6

eine Seitenansicht eines Belüftungsrohrs der erfindungsgemäßen Kühlvorrichtung;

Fig. 7

eine perspektivische Darstellung des Belüftungsrohrs der Fig. 6;

Fig. 8

eine perspektivische Darstellung eines Deckels für die erfindungsgemäße Kühlvorrichtung;

Fig. 9

eine Seitenansicht des Deckels der Fig. 8;

Fig. 10

eine Seitenansicht des Hohlkörpers der erfindungsgemäßen Kühlvorrichtung, der das Kühlmittel aufnimmt;

Fig. 11

eine perspektivische Darstellung des Hohlkörpers der Fig. 10;

Fig. 12

eine Seitenansicht einer Verschlusskappe für den Hohlkörper der Fig. 10; und

Fig. 13

eine perspektivische Darstellung der Verschlusskappe der Fig. 12.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawings and described. Show it:

Fig. 1

a diagrammatic representation of an embodiment of a cooling device according to the invention,

Fig. 2

the cooling device off Fig. 1 in perspective view;

Fig. 3

a side view of a Schenkkegels the cooling device of the invention Fig.1

Fig. 4

a 90 ° rotated side view of the tipping cone;

Fig. 5

a perspective view of a tipping cone;

Fig. 6

a side view of a ventilation tube of the cooling device according to the invention;

Fig. 7

a perspective view of the vent tube of Fig. 6 ;

Fig. 8

a perspective view of a lid for the cooling device according to the invention;

Fig. 9

a side view of the lid of the Fig. 8 ;

Fig. 10

a side view of the hollow body of the cooling device according to the invention, which receives the coolant;

Fig. 11

a perspective view of the hollow body of Fig. 10 ;

Fig. 12

a side view of a cap for the hollow body of Fig. 10 ; and

Fig. 13

a perspective view of the cap of the Fig. 12 ,

The Figures 1 and 2 show a cooling device 1 according to the invention, wherein in the drawing of the Fig. 1 the lid 40 has been omitted. The cooling device 1 is composed of a hollow body 10 which is filled with coolant. The hollow body 10 is provided with a closure cap 20, which closes the hollow body 10 and which can be removed, for example, to renew the coolant. Connected to the hollow body is a pouring cone 50. The pouring cone 50 has a conical shape and fixes the cooling device 1, for example, in a wine bottle. The pouring cone 50 has on its outside friction-increasing means 51, in particular made of rubber, preferably in the form of a ring cone. Inside the pouring cone 50 is a vent tube 30. Via openings 52 in the pouring cone 50, the vent tube 30 is supplied with liquid via an opening 31. The liquid is then led outside via the interior of the vent tube 30 and leaves the vent tube 30 and thus the liquid container At the dispensing opening 58. Finally, a lid 40 can be placed on the pouring cone 50 and on the venting tube 30, which closes the dispensing opening 58 and thus protects the liquid present in the container from harmful influences.

Around the hollow body 10 and the closure cap 20 around a sheath 5 may be provided, in particular made of stainless steel. This has a certain protective function, since it protects the hollow body 10 against damage and also prevents inadvertent release of the closure cap 20. On the other hand, it has a certain protective function for the liquid, since if unintentionally coolant should escape from the hollow body 10, this does not come into contact with the liquid, but remains in the enclosure 5.

The FIGS. 3 to 5 show the Schenkkegel 50 in different representations. As can be seen from the figures, the pouring cone 50 is a hollow body having a conical shape. The pouring cone 50 has two ends 54 and 56 on. The lower end 56 is brought into contact with the hollow body 10 via the thread 53. On the upper end 54 of the lid 40 is placed and this is also the outlet of the vent tube 30. The upper end 54 also represents the discharge port 58 through which the discharge of the liquid. For this purpose, the pouring cone 50, the openings 52, via which the liquid enters the interior of the Schenkkegels 50 and the discharge opening 58 is supplied. In the conical region 57 of the Schenkkegels 50 also depressions 55 may be provided on the example, a rubber ring can be mounted. Inside the Schenkkegels 50, the ventilation tube 30 is provided. The vent tube 30 and the pouring cone 50 are adapted to leave enough space around the vent tube 30 so that the liquid from the container can be delivered to the dispensing opening 58.

The FIGS. 6 and 7 show the vent tube 30. It has a lower end 32 to which a thread 34 may be provided, via which the vent tube 30 is connected to the Schenkkegel 50. At the lower end 32, the ventilation tube 30 has an opening 31 through which air is supplied to the liquid. This is important when removing the liquid from the container, since without venting the removal would come or uncontrolled air would be supplied via the discharge opening 58 and the openings 52 of the Schenkkegels 50. The upper end of the vent tube 30 is designed as an air supply opening 33. The air supply opening 33 is located outside the container and is preferably above the upper end 54 of the tipping cone and thus the discharge opening 58, as in Fig. 1 seen.

The FIGS. 8 and 9 show a lid 40, with both the discharge port 58 and the air supply port 33 can be closed. The lid 40 is placed on the upper end 54 of the Schenkkegels 50. The lid 40 has a recess 41 into which the upper end of the ventilation tube 30 can be inserted. The discharge opening 58 is closed by a corresponding fit 42 and the projection 43 is seated on the edge of the upper end 54 of the tipping cone 50. The lid 30 may be designed arbitrarily, for. Example, be provided with a ball 44, which has both visual and functional function, yet it serves as a knob and handle for removing and placing the lid 40 on the cooling device first

The FIGS. 10 to 13 show on the one hand the hollow body 10 and on the other the closure cap 20, with which the hollow body 10 can be closed. The hollow body 10 is a hollow tube, in the interior of which a coolant is introduced. As coolant any known coolant can be used, for example glycol. If the cooling device according to the invention is to be used for foodstuffs, for example as a wine or champagne cooler, it is preferred to use a food-grade coolant. The hollow body 10 is closed at its upper end 11 and has at its lower end 12 an opening through which the coolant can be introduced and removed. In the interior of the lower end 12, a thread 13 is preferably attached, into which a correspondingly designed mating thread 23 of the closure cap 20 can be screwed. Instead of screwing the closure cap 20 in the hollow body 10 may for example also be provided a seat fit via a frictional engagement. The closure cap 20 is preferably made of a somewhat resilient material, such as a plastic material, to achieve a good seal. Alternatively, a seal may also be provided in addition.

The cooling device according to the invention is preferably made of stainless steel, glass, ceramic or porcelain. At the appropriate places then seals or friction-increasing agents can be applied. The dimensions and dimensions of the cooling device 1 according to the invention are determined by the field of application. For the preferred application in bottles, the cooling device 1 of the invention has a rod-like shape, such as from the Figures 1 and 2 it can be seen, which can be placed in a simple manner in a refrigeration compartment before the cooling process in the bottle in order to obtain the desired cooling temperature.

Claims (6)

1. Cooling device for a liquid in a container, in particular for a beverage in a bottle, wherein the cooling device (1) has an hollow body (10) which is filled with a coolant and which is adapted to be inserted into the container, wherein a conical designed dispensing cone (50) is provided, which is fixable in an opening of the container and is connected to the hollow body (10) and which has openings (52) and a dispensing opening (58) for pouring the liquid from the container,
   characterised in that
   the dispensing cone (50) is fixed by friction-increasing means (51) and in that an air supply pipe (30) is adapted to be inserted in the dispensing cone (50) and has an opening (31) and an air supply opening (33).
2. Cooling device according to claim 1, characterised in that the cooling device (1) is rod-shaped.
3. Cooling device according to claim 1 or 2, characterised by a lid (40) adapted to close the dispensing opening (58) and/or the air supply opening (33).
4. Cooling device according to one of the claims 1 - 3, characterised by a closure cap (20) adapted to close the hollow body (10).
5. Cooling device according to one of the claims 1 - 4, characterised in that the friction-increasing means (51) at the dispensing cone (50) is formed by a conical rubber cone.
6. Cooling device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the cooling device (1) is made of metal, glass, porcelain or ceramic.

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