Classifications

• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
  • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • F25D31/00—Other cooling or freezing apparatus
  • F25D31/006—Other cooling or freezing apparatus specially adapted for cooling receptacles, e.g. tanks
  • F25D31/008—Drinking glasses
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
  • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • F25D3/00—Devices using other cold materials; Devices using cold-storage bodies
  • F25D3/10—Devices using other cold materials; Devices using cold-storage bodies using liquefied gases, e.g. liquid air

Definitions

• the invention relates to a cooling apparatus or method for cooling holders.
• a cooling apparatus for glasses which comprises a gas source and an outflow opening, with a pipe provided for supply of gas from the gas source to the spray opening.
• the gas is supplied under high pressure, in liquid form, and will pass into the gaseous phase adjacent the spray opening.
• the glass is cooled.
• the pressure in the pipe falls, so that gas bubbles are formed in the pipe.
• gas bubbles may form through a rise in temperature.
• the liquid gas supply may be hindered, while moreover an irregular flow pattern is obtained.
• a buffer reservoir in which an amount of liquid gas can be buffered and in which gas forming in the pipe can be captured.
• the part of the pipe that is included between the buffer reservoir and the spray opening is connected to an underside of the buffer reservoir.
• a gas blow-off valve is provided at the upper side of the buffer reservoir. The gas blow-off valve is so controlled that when the liquid level falls below a minimum level and the spray opening has been closed, gas is blown off, so that liquid gas can be supplemented.
• gas blow-off valve much gas is blown off via the gas blow-off valve, especially if the ambient temperature of the buffer reservoir is relatively high in proportion to, for instance, the desired target temperature of the holder.
• the buffer reservoir will usually be set up close to the spray opening and have a relatively high temperature, for instance room temperature. Then gas is blown off very frequently, for instance every eighth to tenth time after gas has been emitted through the spray opening, or more frequently, which can cause nuisance of noise and moreover the gas can give rise to nuisance or even to health problems.
• One object contemplated by the invention is to provide a cooling apparatus and method for holders that forms an alternative to the known cooling apparatus.
• Another object that may be contemplated with a cooling apparatus or method is a simplification of the apparatus and/or operations.
• Another object may be a simplification and hence limitation in costs.
• a further object is to provide a safe cooling apparatus.
• gas should be understood to mean at least a fluid that is gaseous at atmospheric pressure and room temperature and upon an increase of the pressure and/or reduction of the temperature can become liquid.
• liquid gas should be understood to mean at least gas that is in a liquid state at the relevant prevailing pressure and temperature.
• a cooling apparatus is characterized in that it is provided with a gas source in which gas is stored under pressure in liquid form, a pipe and a spray opening.
• the pipe is included between the spray opening and the gas source, for passing gas in liquid form under pressure from the gas source to the spray opening.
• a cooling is provided which extends along and/or around at least a part of the pipe.
• a method is characterized in that gas in liquid form is supplied under pressure via a pipe to a spray opening, for emission of the gas.
• the preferably liquid gas in the pipe and/or the pipe itself is cooled with the aid of a cooling.
• Fig. 1 shows schematically a cooling apparatus for holders such as glasses
• Fig. 2 shows schematically in side elevation a holder on a part of a cooling apparatus
• Fig. 3 shows schematically and in partial cross section a portion of a cooling apparatus.
• Cooling apparatuses and parts thereof can be used for at least partially removing at least one or more of the disadvantages of the prior art, or for achieving the advantages mentioned or other advantages, or offering an alternative. Also embodiments that do not obviate the disadvantages or do not obviate all of the disadvantages of the prior art, or do not achieve the advantages or do not achieve all of the advantages that are contemplated, can fall within the invention claimed by the claims.
• holder should be understood to mean at least, though not exclusively, a beverage holder which allows drinking therefrom, such as a glass or cup.
• Cooling should herein be understood to mean at least an apparatus or operation by which the temperature of an object to be cooled, such as pipe or holder, can be lowered, in particular with respect to the environment or at least can be set and/or controlled.
• Fig. 1 there is schematically represented an embodiment of a cooling apparatus 1, provided with a gas source 2, a pipe 3 and a spray opening 4.
• the gas source 2 in this embodiment is a gas cylinder 5 which is represented partly in cross section.
• the gas cylinder 5 is provided with a valve 6 and a riser pipe 7 connected thereto, which extends to near the bottom 8 of the gas cylinder 5.
• the pressure in the gas cylinder 5 can be relatively high, for instance 50 to 60 bar when the gas cylinder 5 has just been filled.
• the gas cylinder can contain gas under a pressure of more than 10 bar, preferably more than 20 bar, more particularly more than 30 bar.
• the gas in the gas cylinder 5 is hence substantially liquid.
• the gas is CO2.
• the gas will preferably be chosen such that it can be emitted directly into the atmosphere or at least is a gas that is naturally present in the atmosphere.
• an exhaust 9 may be provided, as will be further elucidated hereinafter.
• gas cylinder 5 for instance a gas cylinder 5 of the type 2506 of the firm ACP, Heusden-Zolder may be used, with a connection for instance according to DIN477/NBN226.
• other types of gas cylinders can be used, whether or not with riser pipe and/or valve.
• a gas cylinder 5 for use in an apparatus 1 according to the invention can for instance have a content of 10 liters, 25 liters or 50 liters or other content.
• the pipe 3 is connected to the gas cylinder 5 via the valve 6.
• the valve 6 can be a shut-off whose passage can be controlled or which may for instance have only two positions: completely open or completely closed. In another embodiment, several positions can be chosen.
• a regulating valve 10 or similar pressure regulating unit may be provided, in particular a liquid gas-liquid gas reduction valve, with which a desired pressure can be set, in principle regardless of the pressure in the gas cylinder 5 and/or in the pipe 3.
• a pressure may be set of a few tens of bars, for instance approximately 20 or 30 bar.
• Such a regulating valve 10 may for instance be designed as type HPR 800, a one-stage regulating valve for inert, reactive, combustible and oxidizing gases and gas mixtures of medium to high purity, resistant to an input pressure of 230 bar. Also other types of reduction devices may be used. With the pressure regulating unit, the pressure with which the liquid gas is introduced into the pipe 3 can be set such that it does not fluctuate or fluctuates only minimally. Between the reduction device 10 and the pipe 3, further a non-return valve 11 may be included, with which gas can be prevented from flowing back from the pipe 3 in the direction of the gas cylinder 5.
• Spray opening 4 should herein be understood to mean at least, though not exclusively, an opening through which gas can be emitted from the pipe, while the gas can be emitted in both liquid and gaseous form, or as a combination. Especially upon outflow of the gas, it may pass from the liquid form into the gaseous form, as a result of pressure reduction.
• the spray opening 4 may for instance be provided in a nozzle 13 and may for instance be formed by a substantially straight, open passage having a diameter of, for instance, a few tenths of millimeters or less.
• the nozzle 13 can be chosen simply, for instance depending on the desired amount of gas that is to be emitted per unit time, the desired outflow rate, the desired outflow direction and/or a desired outflow pattern. For instance, with a nozzle 13 there may be emitted between approximately 2 and 15 grams of CO2 per second, in particular between approximately 4 and 10 grams of CO2 per second, more particularly between approximately 6 and 7 grams per second.
• the nozzle 13 may for instance be chosen so as to give substantially a jet or spray configuration as an outflow pattern directly upon the outflow.
• a nozzle suitable for this application is an oil combustion nozzle, for instance Delavan types A, B, or W, for instance in the range of 1.00 and 10.00 GPH, with different spray angles, to be chosen depending inter alia on the shape and/or dimensions of the holders.
• Such nozzles are for instance supplied by Delavan Spray Technologies, Bamberg, South Carolina, USA.
• a valve for instance a direct-acting solenoid valve may be used, for instance as obtainable via M&M International, Bedford, GB.
• the spray opening 4 is included in a housing 14.
• a control valve 15 is included, with which the gas passage between the pipe 3 and the spray opening 4 can be opened and closed.
• the control valve 15 may be connected to a control device 16, with which the control valve 15 can be opened and closed.
• a control panel 17 may be provided, with which for instance a control behavior of the control valve 15 can be controlled, set and/or adjusted.
• control buttons 18 may be provided, with which the control valve 15 can be operated.
• a support 19 is provided, on which an edge of a holder 20, here shown as a glass, can be placed, so that the holder 20 is placed upside down above and/or over the spray opening.
• the spray opening 4 can have an outflow direction P which is approximately parallel to and may substantially coincide with a longitudinal axis L of the holder 20 when placed on the support 19, This can be advantageous in view of symmetry.
• an exhaust 9 is provided at the spray opening 4 .
• the exhaust 9 is here designed, by way of example, in the form of a ring 22 extending, at least in top plan view, partly around the spray opening and defining at least a suction surface 23 which, in side elevation, is situated below the spray opening 4.
• a discharge such as a discharge pipe 24, with which exhausted gas can be removed to the atmosphere, preferably outside the space R in which the apparatus 1 is set up.
• Gas detection means 25 may be connected to the control device 16, allowing for instance the pressure regulating device 10, the non-return valve 11, the control valve 15 and/or the valve 6 to be closed when for instance the gas concentration in the environment of the apparatus 1 runs up above a limit value. In this way, hazard can be prevented. Also, one or more of the valves and devices 6, 10, 11, 15 may be closed by the control device 16 when the pressure in the pipe 3 falls below a minimum limit value or rises above a maximum limit value.
• the support 19 is so configured that the control valve 15 can be operated with it.
• the support 19 is for instance coupled to a shaft 27, with which a switch 28 can be operated, whereby, via the control device 16, the control valve 15 is activated and, for instance, opened as long as the support 19 is being pressed down by the holder, or for a time inputted in the control device 16, for instance, though not limited to, a few seconds.
• the control valve may be opened for a time of between approximately 5 seconds and 12 seconds, more particularly for instance approximately 7 seconds, so that during that time for instance between approximately 15 and 75 grams of CO2 are squirted out, more particularly between approximately 20 and 75 grams, for instance between approximately 20 and 40 grams of CO2, more particularly between approximately 30 and 35 grams or, for instance, between 30 and 75 grams, more particularly between 45 and 75 grams, such as 60 grams, for relatively large or heavy glasses.
• the time between one time opening of the control valve 15 and following closure thereof can be designated as a cooling cycle.
• the cooling cycle can preferably be set, for instance the duration thereof, for instance between 0 and 60 seconds, and depending on, for instance, the holder to be cooled, the desired temperature of the holder and/or the ambient temperature.
• a glass can be cooled to an average temperature of less than 4 0 C or to a temperature below 0 0 C, so that ice formation on the glass can occur.
• the temperature can be controlled between 5 and -4°C. This can be done, for instance, in a time of a cycle of less than 10 sec.
• the temperatures and times mentioned are naturally mentioned for illustration only and should not be construed as limiting in any way.
• the control valve 15 may also be driven on the basis of the amount of gas that is emitted through the spray opening in a cooling cycle.
• detection means 26 are arranged near the spray opening 4, with which the presence of a holder 20 near the spray opening 4 can be determined.
• the control device 16 can then be controlled for opening the control valve 15 and starting a cooling cycle. This can for instance be executed and controlled in a manner as described hereinabove with reference to Fig. 2. Alternatively, the cycle can last as long as a holder 20 is being detected near the spray opening 4.
• indication means 29 may be provided on the housing, with which it can for instance be indicated that a cycle is in progress, that the apparatus 1 is switched on and/or what temperature has been set and/or has been reached.
• lighting means V may be provided, for instance around the spray opening 4, with which a holder can be lighted during cooling.
• a cooling 30 is provided, with which at least a part of the pipe 3 can be cooled.
• the cooling 30 in the embodiment shown comprises a jacket 31 which extends around the most part of the length of the pipe 3.
• a channel 32 is provided which is connected to a cooler 33.
• the cooler 33 can be an in-line cooler.
• a cooling medium can be pumped through the channel 32, for instance glycol, a glycol mixture or water or other suitable cooling medium, with which the pipe 3 can be cooled.
• the gas source 2 can be set up relatively far from the spray opening 4, for instance a few meters, without gas bubble formation becoming a problem.
• a holder 20 can be cooled as follows.
• the valve 6 is opened, for instance wholly, and with the pressure regulating device 11 a desired pressure in the pipe 3 is set, for instance above 30 bar.
• the pressure of the liquid gas in the pipe is high as far as the closed control valve 15.
• an optimum cooling cycle can be set, for instance depending on the holder 20 to be cooled and the desired cooling temperature, for instance 0 0 C. If a holder 20 is pressed onto the support 19, a cooling cycle is started and gas squirts out of the spray opening into the inner space 2OA of the holder, against the walls thereof. Vaporizing gas draws heat from the air in the holder 20 and from the wall 2OB thereof, so that cooling occurs. The gas such as CO2, which is heavier than air, will sink and be suctioned out by the exhaust. After a desired cooling time and/or a desired amount of gas which has been passed into the holder 20, the control valve 15 is closed and cooling is stopped.
• a temperature of the pipe 3 is set that is lower than the temperature of the gas source 2, in particular the gas cylinder 5 or the gas present therein.
• a temperature of the pipe or the gas therein can be set below 10 0 C, more particularly below 5°C, still more particularly below 0 0 C.
• a beverage line 34 is provided, which is also cooled by the cooling liquid in the channel 32.
• the beverage line 34 can for instance extend between a keg or other container 37 to a point near or in a countermount 38.
• the jacket 31 with pipe 3, channel 32, beverage line 34 and possibly a return channel 35 for the cooling liquid may be included in or designed as a line 36, for instance as a python line which is commonly used in, for instance, beer tapping apparatuses.
• the invention is not in any way limited to the apparatuses and methods shown and described in the description and drawing. Alternative embodiments that fall within the claims are understood to be included in this description, among which at least combinations of parts of the embodiments shown and alternatives thereto.
• Other temperature ranges and cooling times can be set and/or used.
• Multiple pipes and/or beverage lines may be combined in one apparatus 1, while moreover multiple spray openings 4 may be provided on a pipe and/or in a housing.
• Other gases than CO2 can be used.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Thermal Sciences (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Devices For Dispensing Beverages (AREA)

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Family Cites Families (24)

• 2008
  • 2008-05-21 NL NL2001601A patent/NL2001601C2/nl active Search and Examination
• 2009
  • 2009-05-20 WO PCT/NL2009/050269 patent/WO2009142486A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2009-05-20 US US12/993,942 patent/US20110100029A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2009-05-20 EP EP09750806A patent/EP2315992A1/en not_active Withdrawn

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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