GB2322184A - Heating and cooling units - Google Patents

Heating and cooling units Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2322184A
GB2322184A GB9703162A GB9703162A GB2322184A GB 2322184 A GB2322184 A GB 2322184A GB 9703162 A GB9703162 A GB 9703162A GB 9703162 A GB9703162 A GB 9703162A GB 2322184 A GB2322184 A GB 2322184A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
cooling chamber
heating
cooling
heating cell
cell
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB9703162A
Other versions
GB9703162D0 (en
GB2322184B (en
Inventor
Roger Barry Moore
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
ACROKOOL Ltd
Original Assignee
ACROKOOL Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by ACROKOOL Ltd filed Critical ACROKOOL Ltd
Priority to GB9703162A priority Critical patent/GB2322184B/en
Publication of GB9703162D0 publication Critical patent/GB9703162D0/en
Publication of GB2322184A publication Critical patent/GB2322184A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2322184B publication Critical patent/GB2322184B/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47J—KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
    • A47J36/00—Parts, details or accessories of cooking-vessels
    • A47J36/24—Warming devices
    • A47J36/2411—Baby bottle warmers; Devices for warming baby food in jars
    • A47J36/2433—Baby bottle warmers; Devices for warming baby food in jars with electrical heating means
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L7/00—Heating or cooling apparatus; Heat insulating devices
    • B01L7/02—Water baths; Sand baths; Air baths
    • 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
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B21/00—Machines, plants or systems, using electric or magnetic effects
    • F25B21/02—Machines, plants or systems, using electric or magnetic effects using Peltier effect; using Nernst-Ettinghausen effect
    • 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
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H10—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES; ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H10N—ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H10N10/00—Thermoelectric devices comprising a junction of dissimilar materials, i.e. devices exhibiting Seebeck or Peltier effects
    • H10N10/10—Thermoelectric devices comprising a junction of dissimilar materials, i.e. devices exhibiting Seebeck or Peltier effects operating with only the Peltier or Seebeck effects

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Food Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Clinical Laboratory Science (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Apparatus For Disinfection Or Sterilisation (AREA)

Abstract

A heating and cooling unit for use for example as a baby bottle cooler, warmer and/or steriliser, comprises a cooling chamber with associated cooling means and a heating cell (31) with associated heating means (33) eg a silicone matt heater. The heating cell (31) is removably receivable within at least part of the cooling chamber (1), to perform its heating function. The cooling chamber may be in the form of two sub-chambers each shaped to receive a bottle or a food container. The cooling chamber includes an external rear wall to which a Peltier cooling device is mounted. Cooling air is forced through slotted vents (23) in the rear wall. The heating cell (31) may be used to heat water to generate steam for warming or sterilising a bottle or food container.

Description

THERMAL TREATMENT APPARATUS DESCRIPTION This invention relates to thermal treatment apparatus and is especially, but not exclusively, related to such apparatus for cooling and heating comestibles.
In a known form of thermal treatment apparatus for cooling and heating the contents of, say, infant feeding bottles or other containers, there is provided a first, cooling chamber in which a container, such as an infant feeding bottle, can be received for cooling the contents thereof and a second, heating chamber in which a container, such an an infant feeding bottle, can be received for heating the contents thereof, the first and second chambers being physical separate from each other. In some of these know types of thermal treatment apparatus, the first, cooling chamber is provided with cooling means and a heat sink and/or other heat transfer means for transferring heat extracted by the cooling means from the cooling chamber and its contents to the second, heating chamber.
These known types of thermal treatment apparatus are, thus, somewhat cumbersome in that two physically separated chambers, namely, the cooling and heating chambers, are necessary. A further disadvantage resides in the inefficient transfer of heat from the cooling means associated with the cooling chamber to the heating chamber.
It is an object of the present invention to provide thermal treatment apparatus which overcomes, or at least substantially reduces, the disadvantages associated with the know types of thermal treatment apparatus described and discussed above.
Accordingly, the invention resides in thermal treatment apparatus comprising a cooling chamber with associated cooling means and a heating cell with associated heating means, wherein the heating cell is removably receivable within at least part of the cooling chamber, to perform its heating function.
The shape and dimensions of both the cooling chamber and heating cell may be such as to receive therein containers, whose contents are to be cooled and/or heated, such as warmed, by the apparatus, of substantially the same shape and dimensions. Also, the heating cell may be arranged to sterilise, preferably with steam, an article, such as a food or drinks container, received therein.
In the preferred embodiment of thermal treatment apparatus in accordance with the invention to be discussed in more detail hereinbelow, the cooling chamber comprises two sub-chambers each arranged to receive therein a container whose contents are to be cooled. At least one of those sub-chambers is also arranged to receive therein the heating cell.
When the heating means associated with the heating cell received within the cooling chamber, is operable, so that the heating cell can perform its heating and/or sterilising function, the cooling means associated with the cooling chamber may be either operable or inoperable.
The inventive thermal treatment apparatus is preferably electrically-powered, with the cooling means associated with the cooling chamber being so powered. Similarly, the heating means associated with the heating cell, when received in the cooling chamber, is also electrically-powered in which case, complementary plug-in electrical connectors may be provided in the cooling chamber and on the heating cell, so that the associated heating means can be connected to the electrical power supply, when the heating cell is received within the cooling chamber.
In the preferred embodiment, the cooling means for the cooling chamber comprises a Peltier effect device which is preferably mounted upon an exterior wall of that chamber in efficient thermal transfer contact therewith. The cooling means, such as the preferred Peltier effect device, may be provided with a heat sink for dissipating. heat extracted from the cooling chamber into the atmosphere.
In the preferred embodiment, the cooling chamber is in the form of a generally tubular, aluminium extrudate accommodated within an external housing, with thermal insulation provided between adjacent side and base walls thereof.
The heating cell may be made of any suitable material, such as, a plastics or metallic material, and preferably incorporates its associated heating means for generating steam for performing a warming and/or sterilising function.
The heating means, is preferably a so-called "silicone matt" heater, although it may comprise any other suitable form of heater.
The thermal capacity of the cooling chamber may be sufficiently large that, when the heating cell is received therein and is performing its warming and/or sterilising function, the overall temperature of the cooling chamber is not increased to any significant degree, whether or not the associated cooling means is rendered operative or inoperative. In this manner, and when the heating cell is received in, say, a subchamber of the cooling chamber to perform its warming and/or sterilising function, the other sub-chamber of the cooling chamber is still capable of performing its cooling function.
In order that the invention may be more fully understood, a preferred embodiment of thermal treatment apparatus for cooling and/or warming the contents of a container, such as an infant feeding bottle, or sterilising such a container, will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a top plan view of a cooling chamber of the apparatus; Figure 2 is a top plan view of a base for supporting the cooling chamber shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a sectional view, in elevation, of the cooling chamber-supporting base shown in Figure 2; Figure 4 is an elevational view of a rear casing of the apparatus housing, cooling means and associated heat sink and transfer means; Figure 5 is a sectional view, in elevation, of a heating cell for the apparatus; and Figure 6 is a sectional view, again in elevation, of a lid for the heating cell shown in Figure 5.
A thermal treatment apparatus in the form of a portable unit for cooling and/or warming the contents of an infant feeding bottle (hereinafter referred to as a "baby bottle") or other similar container, such as a baby food container, or for sterilising such a container comprises a cooling chamber in the form of a generally tubular, aluminium extrudate, as shown generally at 1 in Figure 1.
This cooling chamber 1 comprises two interconnected sub-chambers 2 and 3 each shaped and dimensioned to receive a baby bottle or baby food container (not shown).
This cooling chamber 1 comprises a generally planar, external rear wall 4 to which is mounted a Peltier effect cooling device (not shown) of conventional form.
Associated with that Peltier effect cooling device is a heat sink and transfer means, including a fan, accommodated within a vented housing shown at 20 in Figure 4. The rotational axis 21 of the heat extractor fan is mounted in a bearing arrangement 22 provided in the outer rear wall of the casing 20.
Slotted vents 23 in that rear casing wall allow heat extracted from the cooling chamber 1 by the Peltier effect cooling device to be dissipated into the atmosphere.
In Figures 2 and 3, there is shown a base 11 for supporting the cooling chamber 1 within an exterior plastics housing (not shown) to which is mounted the rear casing 20.
Suitable thermal insulation (also not shown) is provided between the side walls of the cooling chamber and the interior walls of the housing. Similarly, thermal insulation is provided between the bottom wall 12 of the cooling chamber-supporting base 12 and the interior base wall of the housing.
That bottom wall 12 of the base 11 is provided at 13 with a raised portion and associated recess 14 to which can be mounted a suitable electrical connector.
A heating cell, indicated generally at 31 in Figure 5, comprises an upper portion 32 which is shaped and dimensioned to receive therein a correspondingly shaped and dimensioned baby bottle.
A lower portion 38 of the heating cell 31 houses circuitry for a silicone matt heater 33 adhered at the underside of an intermediate portion 34 arranged to receive therein a volume of water from which steam can be generated when the heater 33 in the lower portion 38 is operative. The so-generated steam may be used to warm the contents of a baby bottle or baby food container or to sterilise the bottle or other container.
A recess 35 associated with the bottom wall 36 of the heating cell 31, has mounted therein another electrical connector (not shown) which is complementary with that of the base 11 shown in Figures 2 and 3.
In this manner, and when the heating cell 31 is removably received within the sub-chamber 2 of the cooling chamber 1, the complementary electrical connectors are connected together, so that electrical power can be provided to the silicone matt heater 33.
The bottom wall 36 of the heating cell 31 has a spigot 37 depending therefrom and arranged to engage within a corresponding socket associated with the subchamber 2 of the cooling chamber 1, to locate the heating cell 31 correctly therein.
The heating cell 31 is provided with a lid, as indicated generally at 41 in Figure 6, having an annular lip 42 which is arranged to locate upon the uppermost edge 38 of the heating cell 31.
The lid 41 is provided with a vent 43, to allow the escape of steam from the interior of the heating cell 31 when its associated heater 33 is operative, so that the heating cell 31 can perform its warming or sterilising function.
In this preferred embodiment, means are provided to render the cooling means of the cooling chamber 1 inoperative when the heating cell 31 is received in the sub-chamber 2 and is performing its warming or sterilising function. However, as an alternative, the cooling means may be maintained operative, in such a situation.
The thermal capacity of the cooling chamber 1 can be sufficiently large, such that, when the heating cell 31 is received in the sub-chamber of the cooling chamber 1 and is performing its warming or sterilising function, the temperature within the sub-chamber 3 is not increased to any significant extent, this being particularly so if the cooling means is maintained operative.
In this manner, the heating cell 31 can be used to warm or sterilise a baby bottle or baby food container with steam, whilst another baby bottle or baby food container and its contents are kept cool in the sub-chamber 3 of the cooling chamber 1.
The Peltier effect cooling means is capable of maintaining the temperature within the cooling chamber 1 at approximately 10 C and, when the heating 31 is in use in the sub-chamber 2, the temperature within the sub-chamber 3 need only rise by a few degrees Celsius.
Adjustable timing means may be provided to render the heating cell 31 operative for predetermined time periods, such that the steam warming of a baby bottle or baby food container brings the temperature of the contents of that bottle up to the required temperature.
Such timing means or additional timing means may be employed to render the heating cell 31 operative for predetermined time periods during sterilising of the baby bottle or other container.
The electrical supply to the unit may be sourced from a mains supply and/or the 12 volt battery of a vehicle.
Thus, it is to be appreciated that the thermal treatment apparatus of the invention, particularly when in the form of a portable unit such as that described above in relation to the preferred embodiment, provides a compact unit which can be used in many situations in any number of its three cooling, warming and sterilising functions.
Further, it is also to be appreciated that the heating cell can be used separately from the cooling chamber. For example, the heating cell could be used on its own, that is to say, remote from the unit or apparatus comprising the cooling chamber, with its heating means, whether in the form of the silicone matt heater 33 of the embodiment described above with reference to the drawings, or any other suitable electrical heater, subject to the heating means being provided with another source of electrical power.

Claims (20)

1. Thermal treatment apparatus comprising a cooling chamber with associated cooling means and a heating cell with associated heating means, wherein the heating cell is removably receivable within at least part of the cooling chamber, to perform its heating function.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the shape and dimensions of the cooling chamber and heating cell are such as to receive therein containers whose contents are to be cooled and/or heated by the apparatus and whose shape and dimensions are substantially the same as those of the cooling chamber and heating cell.
3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the heating cell is arranged to sterilise a container received therein.
4. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the heating cell is arranged to sterilise a container received therein with steam.
5. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the cooling chamber comprises two sub-chambers each arranged to receive therein a container whose contents are to be cooled.
6. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein at least one of the sub-chambers is also arranged to receive therein the heating cell.
7. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein, when the heating cell is received within the cooling chamber and said heating means associated with the heating cell, is operable, so that the heating cell can perform its heating function, said cooling means associated with the cooling chamber, is either operable or inoperable.
8. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein said cooling means associated with the cooling chamber, is electrically powered.
9. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein said heating means associated with the heating cell, when received in the cooling chamber, is electrically-powered.
10. Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein complementary plug-in electrical connectors are provided in the cooling chamber and on the heating cell, so that said heating means can be connected to an electrical power supply, when the heating cell is received within the cooling chamber.
11. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein said cooling means of the cooling chamber comprises a Peltier effect device.
12. Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the Peltier effect device is mounted upon an exterior wall of the cooling chamber in efficient thermal transfer contact therewith.
13. Apparatus according to any preceding claim.
wherein said cooling means is provided with a heat sink for dissipating heat extracted from the cooling chamber into the atmosphere.
14. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the cooling chamber is in the form of a generally tubular, aluminium extrudate accommodated within an external housing, with thermal insulation provided between adjacent side and base walls thereof.
15. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the heating cell is made of a plastics or metallic material.
16. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the heating cell incorporates said associated heating means for generating steam for performing a warming and/or sterilising function.
17. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein said heating means is a silicone matt heater.
18. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the thermal capacity of the cooling chamber is sufficiently large that, when the heating cell is received therein and is performing its warming and/or sterilising function, the overall temperature of the cooling chamber is not increased to any significant degree, whether or not the associated cooling means is rendered operative or inoperative.
19. Apparatus according to claim 18 when dependent upon claim 5 or upon any of claims 6 to 17 when dependent upon claim 5, wherein, when the heating cell is received in a sub-chamber of the cooling chamber to perform its warming and/or sterilising function, the other sub-chamber of the cooling chamber is still capable of performing its cooling function.
20. Thermal treatment apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
GB9703162A 1997-02-15 1997-02-15 Thermal treatment apparatus Expired - Fee Related GB2322184B (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9703162A GB2322184B (en) 1997-02-15 1997-02-15 Thermal treatment apparatus

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9703162A GB2322184B (en) 1997-02-15 1997-02-15 Thermal treatment apparatus

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GB9703162D0 GB9703162D0 (en) 1997-04-02
GB2322184A true GB2322184A (en) 1998-08-19
GB2322184B GB2322184B (en) 2001-04-04

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Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2001019224A1 (en) * 1999-09-10 2001-03-22 Marion Thomssen Device for tempering orally administered, liquid or pasty media, method for operating the device and use thereof
GB2366075A (en) * 2000-08-15 2002-02-27 Front Direction Ind Ltd Cooking appliance with cooling and heating modes
WO2003071910A1 (en) * 2002-02-27 2003-09-04 Top-Box Limited Food warmer
WO2005041733A1 (en) * 2003-09-30 2005-05-12 Stefano Milazzo Comestible preparation apparatus
US7305833B2 (en) 2004-12-03 2007-12-11 Electrolux Professional S.P.A. Bottle cooling and warming device
CN105486018A (en) * 2015-12-30 2016-04-13 合肥华凌股份有限公司 Cooling and heating box

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3808825A (en) * 1973-05-30 1974-05-07 Raymond Lee Organization Inc Combination cup cooler and warmer
US5315084A (en) * 1993-02-10 1994-05-24 Martin Jensen Baby bottle caterer with separate refrigeration and heating units
US5493874A (en) * 1994-03-10 1996-02-27 Landgrebe; Mark A. Compartmented heating and cooling chest
WO1997038661A1 (en) * 1996-04-12 1997-10-23 Jean Pacault Refrigerated and tropicalized container for storing and transporting heat-sensitive products

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3808825A (en) * 1973-05-30 1974-05-07 Raymond Lee Organization Inc Combination cup cooler and warmer
US5315084A (en) * 1993-02-10 1994-05-24 Martin Jensen Baby bottle caterer with separate refrigeration and heating units
US5493874A (en) * 1994-03-10 1996-02-27 Landgrebe; Mark A. Compartmented heating and cooling chest
WO1997038661A1 (en) * 1996-04-12 1997-10-23 Jean Pacault Refrigerated and tropicalized container for storing and transporting heat-sensitive products

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2001019224A1 (en) * 1999-09-10 2001-03-22 Marion Thomssen Device for tempering orally administered, liquid or pasty media, method for operating the device and use thereof
GB2366075A (en) * 2000-08-15 2002-02-27 Front Direction Ind Ltd Cooking appliance with cooling and heating modes
GB2366075B (en) * 2000-08-15 2002-10-09 Front Direction Ind Ltd Cooking appliance
WO2003071910A1 (en) * 2002-02-27 2003-09-04 Top-Box Limited Food warmer
WO2005041733A1 (en) * 2003-09-30 2005-05-12 Stefano Milazzo Comestible preparation apparatus
GB2439093A (en) * 2003-09-30 2007-12-19 Stefano Milazzo Comestible Preparation Apparatus
US7305833B2 (en) 2004-12-03 2007-12-11 Electrolux Professional S.P.A. Bottle cooling and warming device
CN105486018A (en) * 2015-12-30 2016-04-13 合肥华凌股份有限公司 Cooling and heating box

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB9703162D0 (en) 1997-04-02
GB2322184B (en) 2001-04-04

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PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20100215