EP1948553A1

EP1948553A1 - Apparatus for cooling a liquid

Info

Publication number: EP1948553A1
Application number: EP05775159A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Marcel Hommel
Original assignee: MULTIDRAFT ROYALTY Ltd; WUNDERBAR HOLDING BV
Current assignee: MULTIDRAFT ROYALTY Ltd; WUNDERBAR HOLDING BV
Priority date: 2005-08-26
Filing date: 2005-08-26
Publication date: 2008-07-30
Also published as: WO2007024129A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus for cooling a liquid, comprising a housing with: a compressor-type cooler with a compressor, an evaporator and a pump, which are connected with each other via pipes; a container for a liquid vessel that is in thermal contact with the evaporator; and a draw-off pipe for the outlet of liquid from the liquid vessel. The invention is chatacterised in that the draw-off pipe comprises a coupling means for connecting it with a liquid outlet pipe of the liquid vessel, and in that the apparatus comprises a gas tube for connecting to the liquid vessel. The invention also relates to a liquid vessel for use in an apparatus as aforementioned. The liquid vessel comprises an adapter, which simultaneously serves as lid and provides a suitable seal for the liquid vessel and also allows a draw-off- pipe for the outlet of liquid from the vessel to be connected thereto.

Description

Apparatus for cooling a liquid

The invention relates to an apparatus for cooling a liquid, comprising a housing with: a compressor-type cooler with a compressor, an evaporator and a pump, which are connected with each other via pipes; a container for a liquid vessel that is in thermal contact with the evaporator; and a draw-off pipe for the outlet of liquid from the liquid vessel .

Such an apparatus is known in the art and is frequently used. Suitably, the manufacturer embodies such appa- ratuses for a vessel to be put on the market by that manufacturer. In general such apparatuses are put on the market to allow people to draw beer at home.

The drawback of these known apparatuses is that the user's freedom of choice is very much limited. He is obliged to use the liquid vessels put on the market by the manufacturer.

The object of the invention is to provide an improved apparatus. The object of the invention is in particular to provide an apparatus allowing the user a large degree of freedom when choosing the liquid vessels to be used in the apparatus .

The object of the invention is especially to allow the user to choose for himself what liquid is cooled in the apparatus . In order to attain at least one of the above- mentioned objectives, the invention provides an apparatus as mentioned in the preamble, characterized in that the draw-off pipe for liquid outlet comprises a coupling means for connecting it with a liquid outlet pipe of the liquid vessel, and in that the apparatus comprises a gas tube for connecting to the liquid vessel. It is especially preferable that the pipe for liquid outlet and the gas tube be connected with an adapter that can be connected with a liquid vessel. Such an adapter may very conveniently form a lid for the liquid vessel .

In such an embodiment, the draw-off pipe and the gas tube of the apparatus for cooling the liquid can be detach- ably connected with the liquid vessel in a very simple manner.

Especially when the above-mentioned adapter also serves as lid, a liquid vessel may be removed from the apparatus and then stored even when it is not completely empty. Depending on the storage life of the liquid in the vessel, the vessel may be put back after a shorter or longer time. In this way it is quite simple to regularly replace the liquid vessels with different ones.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the gas tube is connected with a pump for creating a pressure in the liquid vessel. This pump is conveniently provided in the apparatus for cooling the liquid.

It is also advantageous if the gas tube, at a position that is in fluid communication with the liquid vessel, is provided with a pressure sensor that transmits a pressure- related signal to a processing unit, so that at a pressure that is lower than a predetermined pressure, the processing unit activates the pump and at a pressure that is higher than a predetermined pressure, it deactivates the pump. In this manner the pressure in the liquid vessel can easily be maintained at a suitable value, or within a range of suitable values. When drawing liquid from the liquid vessel, the pressure will drop but will be elevated again by the pump. The adapter mentioned above preferably comprises means for attaching it to the liquid vessel, whereby these means cooperate with complementary connecting means provided on the liquid vessel, preferably selected from a threaded or a bayonet coupling. Other connecting means are of course also suitable. It is preferred that they be easily detachable. It is further preferred that in such an embodiment the adapter be connected with the draw-off pipe. This will preferably be a detachable connection, which affords the advantage that the liquid vessel with adapter can be removed, to be replaced by another liquid vessel with its own adapter, to which the draw-off pipe can subsequently be connected. In a similar manner, the adapter is of course also connected with the gas tube. The gas tube will also be easily detach- able from the adapter and in a correspondingly simple manner be connectable again with another adapter.

The invention also relates to a liquid vessel for use in an apparatus according to the invention described above. The shape of the liquid vessel will substantially correspond with the shape of the container for the liquid vessel in the apparatus for cooling a liquid. The liquid vessel is preferably a cylindrical housing having a sealed bottom and an opening at the side facing away from the bottom. This opening is preferably provided with attaching means for removably attaching a lid. This lid is preferably embodied as adapter for connecting a gas tube of the apparatus for cooling a liquid and the draw-off pipe for the outlet of liquid. The draw-off pipe for the liquid outlet is connected with a coupling piece provided on the adapter and is in fluid communication with a riser pipe provided in the vessel. This riser pipe runs from a position at the bottom of the vessel to the adapter, where it passes into the coupling piece for coupling to the draw-off pipe.

In the adapter there is also a coupling piece for coupling to the gas tube. This may be a simple tubular feature with a coupling means at an end facing away from the adapter, via which the gas tube is brought into fluid communication with the interior of the vessel. This gas inlet pipe debouches at a position at the underside of the adapter and is in fluid communication with the vessel. There iis no need for a separate pipe to project from the bottom side of the adapter into the vessel.

The liquid vessel is preferably made from a plastic, for example, polycarbonate. It is especially preferred for the vessel to be made of a clear polycarbonate.

It is further preferred that at least one of the liquid outlet pipe and the gas inlet pipe comprise a sealing means that can be placed in an open and a closed position so that if desired, the pipe can be opened or closed. This avoids unintentional flow of liquid from the vessel, especially when removing the adapter from and attaching it on the liquid vessel. During use, when the liquid vessel is coupled with the adapter functioning as lid, it is hermetically sealed. The various pipes must then be connected as mentioned above. The gasproof seal is released only when drawing liquid from the apparatus whereby liquid is removed from the liquid vessel via the draw-off pipe and the riser pipe.

Compared with the known apparatuses that employ vessels put on the market in consultation with the manufacturer, the invention has a considerable advantage. In contrast with the known systems, the apparatus according to the invention is suitable for cooling and serving vessels that can be filled with a liquid by the user himself and that are already filled. This not only affords the possibility of drawing beer, but also of cooling and drawing wine, such as rose wine, fruit juices, and other soft drinks, even mixed drinks. Hereinafter the invention will be further elucidated by way of a drawing.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of an apparatus according to the invention.

Fig. 2 shows a liquid vessel and an adapter for use in the apparatus according to the invention.

Fig. 3 shows a cross section of the liquid vessel and an adapter according to fig. 2.

Figures 4 and 4A show an alternative embodiment of a part of the adapter according to the invention. Similar parts in the figures carry the same reference numerals. Not all the components of the apparatus will be discussed. Only the components that are considered to be of importance for the present invention and for the ability to understand it are mentioned. Fig. 1 shows an apparatus 1 for cooling and withdrawing liquid. To this end the apparatus 1 comprises a liquid vessel 2 accommodated in a container 3 that is provided in the housing 4 of the apparatus 1. The apparatus 1 further comprises a valve 5. This is embodied in the usual manner and requires no further description.

The ability to draw liquid from the liquid vessel 2 results from applying an overpressure above the liquid phase in the vessel 2. The pressure is applied by supplying a gas through a gas tube 6. The gas tube 6 is connected via a coupling means 7 with an adapter 8 provided on the vessel 2. The gas inlet pipe 9 on the adapter 8 leads to the bottom side of the adapter 8 and into the vessel 2. The apparatus 1 is provided with a pump supplying gas through the gas tube 6 into the vessel 2.

In order to reach and maintain a correct and suitable gas pressure in the vessel 2, a pressure sensor is provided, which should be positioned such that it is in continuous fluid communication with the interior of the vessel 2. If there are no sealing means in the adapter 8 and the coupling means 7, the sensor may, for example, be pro- ' vided in the tube 6. In that case, the pressure in the tube 6 will be the same as the pressure in the vessel 2. This has the advantage that the liquid vessel 2 may be of a very simple design. According to another embodiment, the sensor may be provided on the adapter 8.

Depending on the pressure that is measured, the sensor may send a signal to a central processing unit capable of activating and inactivating the pump. If the pressure measured by the sensor is lower than a preset value, the pump can be activated. When subsequently the pressure is the same as or higher than a preset value, the pump can be deactivated again. The sensor is able to measure the pressure in a complete and continuous manner. In order to save electricity, the sensor may operate intermittently and may, for example, measure the pressure every five seconds. Likewise, it is possible that the sensor measures the pressure continuously, while the central processing unit registers and processes the supplied signals only intermittently.

Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the liquid vessel 2 according to the invention. The liquid vessel 2 is embodied in an inventive manner. At its top, the liquid vessel 2 comprises a lid 8 simultaneously serving as adapter for connecting to the apparatus 1 for cooling the liquid. The adapter seals the only opening in the liquid vessel 2. In order to be able to maintain a suitable pressure in the liquid vessel 2, it is preferred for the adapter 8 to hermetically seal the liquid vessel. To this end, a bayonet or threaded coupling may be provided to removably connect the adapter 8 with the liquid vessel 2. As schematically indicated in Fig. 2, the liquid vessel 2 is transparent. This has the advantage that a user can easily see whether the vessel 2 contains any liquid and, if so, how much. It also provides a simple indication of what kind of liquid is contained in the vessel. The removal of adapter 8 from the liquid vessel 2 makes the opening (not shown) accessible to permit easy introduction of liquid into the liquid vessel 2. This can simply be done by the user. Without problem the user is able to fill the liquid vessel either completely or not com- pletely, with any chosen liquid. For example, water, soft drink, fruit juice, wine such as rose or white wine that need to be cooled, or beer, may be introduced into the vessel.

If a liquid such as beer and the like that needs to froth when drawn is put into the vessel, a gas cartridge may be provided in the usual manner to produce the desired froth. Similarly, a carbon dioxide cartridge may be used to provide a convenient manner of drawing carbonated drinks. Such methods are generally known in the art. A further explanation will therefore not be given. Fig. 3 shows a cross section of the liquid vessel represented in Fig. 2. The liquid vessel 2 has a wall 10 made in a thickness and of a material chosen such that when the user, by means of the pump in the apparatus 1, applies a pressure in the apparatus, no damages will ensue. The adapter 8, which also serves as lid for sealing the opening, which is schematically indicated with reference numeral 11, provides the liquid vessel 2 with a gasproof seal. Preferably there is a provision that prevents an excessive build-up of pressure in the vessel 2, whereby this provision ensures that gas is released from the liquid vessel at a preset pressure. This preset pressure should be lower than the failure pressure of the liquid vessel 2. Such a provision is especially important when fruit juices or other fermenting liquids are kept in the vessel .

The adapter 8 comprises a riser pipe 12 for discharging liquid from the liquid vessel 2, from the bottom side 13 of the riser pipe 12 in the direction of the arrow 14 and via the liquid outlet pipe 15 on the adapter 8. The end of the pipe 15 comprises, for example, a coupling means for connecting to the draw-off pipe for liquid outlet. Such a connection is preferably detachable. It is possible to use, for example, a screw connection but any other connection that ensures a suitable coupling of the draw-off pipe for liquid outlet to the pipe 15 is suitable for use.

In the embodiment shown, the riser pipe 12 is de- tachably connected with the adapter 8 by means of a threaded coupling 16. This makes it convenient to clean the riser pipe 12 and to remove the liquid vessel sealed by means of the adapter 8 and possibly still containing liquid left in the vessel, from the apparatus 1 and to store it. The riser pipe 12 may then be used for another vessel with adapter. The riser pipe 12 can be cleaned very easily. The gas tube of the apparatus 1 is connected with the gas inlet pipe 17 on the adapter 8. In the embodiment shown, the gas inlet pipe 17 forms an integral part with the adapter 8. The gas tube of the apparatus 1 is removably connected at the end 18 of the gas inlet pipe 17. This may be the same provision as the coupling device of the draw-off pipe for liquid outlet. The gas inlet pipe 17 is in fluid communication with the interior of the vessel 2. Gas supplied via the pipe 17 enters the vessel at the gas opening 19. In the embodiment shown, the liquid vessel 2 has wider portions 20 at the top and at the bottom side of the liquid vessel 2. These wider portions are not obligatory.

The liquid vessel 2 must at all times be in thermal contact with the evaporator of the cooler in the apparatus 1. If the thermal contact takes place chiefly at the bottom 21 of the vessel 2, the shape of the circumferential surface of the vessel is of minor importance. However, if the thermal contact occurs mainly at the sides, it will be preferable for the liquid vessel 2 to have a straight circumferential surface (radial wall) .

Fig. 4 and Fig. 4A schematically show an embodiment of a pipe 24 (partly cut away) , which may be formed by the pipes 15 and 17 attached to the adapter (see Fig. 3) . As usual, the pipe 24 is provided with an opening 27 extending therethrough. In the embodiment shown here, a receiving portion 25 is formed in the pipe consisting substantially of a widening of the pipe 24. In the widening an opening 26 is provided into which a valve 22 can be introduced in the direction of arrow B. At the insert portion 28, the valve is provided with a through-passage 23 which, when the valve is positioned in the receiving portion, can be aligned with the opening 27 in the pipe 24. This provides a continuous passage, allowing a liquid or gas to flow through the pipe and the valve. When the valve is rotated 90°, the pipe 24 will be closed off and passage through the pipe 24 is impeded. In the embodiment shown, the upper side of the valve that is visible during use is provided with a mark 29 to clearly indicate the direction of the opening 23. Fig. 4A shows a cross-section along the line A-A according to Fig. 4 through the valve 22, clearly showing the through-passage 23.

The invention is described in the above by way of exemplary embodiment and with reference to a number of drawings only. The invention is not limited to these embodiments. The various aspects of the invention as described above, may be used in any arbitrary combination. The invention is only limited by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus for cooling a liquid, comprising a housing with: a compressor-type cooler with a compressor, an evaporator and a pump, which are connected with each other via pipes; a container for a liquid vessel that is in thermal contact with the evaporator; and a draw-off pipe for the outlet of liquid from the liquid vessel, characterised in that the draw-off pipe for liquid outlet comprises a coupling means for connecting it with a liquid outlet pipe of the liquid vessel, and in that the apparatus comprises a gas tube for connecting to the liquid vessel.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that the gas tube is connected with a pump for creating a pressure in the liquid vessel.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2, characterised in that the gas tube, at a position that is in fluid communication with the liquid vessel, is provided with a pressure sensor that transmits a pressure-related signal to a processing unit, so that at a pressure that is lower than a predetermined pressure, the processing unit activates the pump and at a pressure that is higher than a predetermined pressure, it deactivates the pump.

4. An apparatus according to claims 1-3, characterised in that the draw-off pipe for liquid outlet and the gas tube are connected with an adapter that can be connected with a liquid vessel.

5. An apparatus according to claim 4, characterised in that the adapter comprises means for attaching it to the liquid vessel, whereby these means cooperate with complementary connecting means provided on the liquid vessel, prefera- bly selected from a threaded or a bayonet coupling.

6. An apparatus according to claim 5, characterised in that the adapter is connected with the draw-off pipe.

7. An adapter for use with an apparatus in accordance with one or several of the claims 1-6, characterised in that the same comprises: means for coupling the draw-off pipe : with the liquid outlet pipe and means for connecting the gas tube with the interior of the liquid vessel; and the adapter functions as lid of the liquid vessel.

8. An adapter according to claim 7, wherein at least one of the liquid outlet pipe and the gas inlet pipe comprises a sealing means that can be placed in an open and a closed position so that if desired, the pipe can be opened or closed.

9. A liquid vessel designed for cooperation with the apparatus according to claims 1 to 6 and with the adapter according to claims 7 and 8, which provides a substantially gastight seal when the liquid vessel, when in use, is coupled with the adapter.