GB2303692A

GB2303692A - Rapid chilling system

Info

Publication number: GB2303692A
Application number: GB9512115A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Guy Boden
Original assignee: KULA PRODUCTS Ltd
Current assignee: KULA PRODUCTS Ltd
Priority date: 1995-06-15
Filing date: 1995-06-15
Publication date: 1997-02-26
Also published as: GB9512115D0

Abstract

A rapid chilling system has a cover plate (8) which supports a sleeve or a series of sleeves (9) which is immersed in a refrigerant (4) so that bottles cans or other vessels (10) can be inserted ad chilled. The sleeve ensures that no refrigerant is in direct contact with the bottles can or vessel (10) and will enable them to be withdrawn at the appropriate temperature. The system will obviate the need to wipe or otherwise remove the refrigerant from the bottle can or vessel. The sleeves may also be used with other fittings in order to make ice or lollipops. The containment tank for the refrigerant (4) may be remotely mounted from the refrigeration system, the two being connected by flexible or fixed pipes. Such arrangements may be useful on a boat.

Description

RAPID CHILLING REPRIGERATION SYSTEM This invention relates to a rapid chilling refrigeration system.

Refrigeration systems are widely applied to chill food and other consumables.

There are particular versions of refrigerators which are used to rapidly chill drinks such as wine, beers and cordials. These units generally include the component parts of a refrigeration system including a compressor, condenser, pump and evaporator plate. The system also includes a tank which contains refrigerant into which the drinks are placed for chilling.

The refrigerant normally used in this application is monopropylene glycol or a brine liquor. The temperature of the drink is reduced by immersing it in the refrigerant. However the refrigerant being in intimate contact with the drink container means that when the drinks are withdrawn the bottle or can will be coated with the refrigerant. This coating needs to be wiped off prior to pouring the drink.

According to the present invention there is provided a cover plate beneath which are fitted a series of flexible sleeves that are immersed in the refrigerant. The drinks which are likely to be in bottles or cans are slid into the sleeves and the pressure of the refrigerant ensures that there is close contact between the sleeve and the bottle' or can. This close contact facilitates the transfer of heat between the refrigerant and the drink container enabling the chilling process to take place. The drinks container can be withdrawn from the sleeve when it has reached the appropriate temperature. No refrigerant being in contact with the container means that it will be essentially dry and ready to dispcnse.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 shows in perspective a refrigeration cabinet with the cover plate and sleeves; Figure 2 illustrates a cross section of the refrigerant tank with the cover and sleeves in position; Figure 3 shows the same cross section as figure 2 but with bottles or cans in the sleeves.

Figure 4 shows a fitment that might be introduced into the sleeves which are then filled with water which when frozen will make ice cubes.

Referring to the drawing the rapid chilling system comprises a compressor 1 pump 2 and heat exchanger 3 which is used to chill the refrigerant 4 which is circulated through the system including a containment vessel such as a tank 5.

It is convenient to house the whole system in a cabinet 6 which is often fitted with a lid 7.

The cover plate 8 is provided to support the sleeves 9 and is arranged so that the sleeves are substantially immersed in the refrigerant 4. The cover plate 8 can be removed for cleaning or to replace any sleeves 9 that might get damaged in service.

The sleeves 9 are arranged to accommodate a variety of sizes of drink containers 10 and may be made from material which is flexible or sufficiently compliant to ensure that good contact is achieved between the refrigerant 4 the sleeve 9 and the drink container 10 immersed therein.

The sleeves can also accommodate other fittings 11 that might be used to create ice cubes as shown in figure 4. Lollipops can be made by filling the sleeves with a suitable water with flavours.

A wire framed basket 12 can be fitted to the cover plate 8 in order to hold drink containers 10 which will be immersed in the refrigerant 4.

Claims

1. A rapid chilling system comprising a refrigeration system and a containment tank into which sleeves are immersed which are used to hold bottles, cans or other vessels.

2. The sleeves as claimed in Claim 1 may be made from a flexible or compliant material which will conform to the shape of the bottle to ensure efficient heat transfer.

3. A rapid chilling system as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 in which the containment tank is remotely mounted from the refrigeration system the two being connected by flexible or fixed pipes such arrangements being appropriate for installation where there are space constrains for instance on a boat.

4. A rapid chilling system as claimed in Claims 1 and 2 wherein a number of cover plates with flexible sleeves can be stacked.

5. A rapid chilling system as described in Claims 1 and 2 which may be fitted with a series of sleeves suitable for the making of ice cubes or lollipops.

6. A rapid chilling system as described in Claims 1 and 2 wherein the cover plate is securely attacged to the tank thereby reducing the chance of the refrigerant spilling out when the unit is moved or when it is part of a vessel that moves such as a boat.

7. A rapid chilling system substantially as described herein with reference to figures 1 - 4 of the accompanying drawing.