US20220074651A1 - Device for selectively freezing portions of bottled beverages - Google Patents
Device for selectively freezing portions of bottled beverages Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20220074651A1 US20220074651A1 US17/528,293 US202117528293A US2022074651A1 US 20220074651 A1 US20220074651 A1 US 20220074651A1 US 202117528293 A US202117528293 A US 202117528293A US 2022074651 A1 US2022074651 A1 US 2022074651A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- bottle
- receiving row
- bottles
- refrigerator
- freezing device
- 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.)
- Pending
Links
- 238000007710 freezing Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 75
- 230000008014 freezing Effects 0.000 title claims abstract description 75
- 235000013361 beverage Nutrition 0.000 title claims abstract description 30
- 238000005057 refrigeration Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 41
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 9
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 7
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 2
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007906 compression Methods 0.000 description 1
- 125000004122 cyclic group Chemical group 0.000 description 1
- 239000011810 insulating material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000155 melt Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000002844 melting Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008018 melting Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008707 rearrangement Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 1
Images
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
- F25D31/007—Bottles or cans
-
- 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
- F25C—PRODUCING, WORKING OR HANDLING ICE
- F25C1/00—Producing ice
- F25C1/04—Producing ice by using stationary moulds
-
- 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
- F25D25/00—Charging, supporting, and discharging the articles to be cooled
- F25D25/02—Charging, supporting, and discharging the articles to be cooled by shelves
- F25D25/022—Baskets
-
- 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
- F25D3/02—Devices using other cold materials; Devices using cold-storage bodies using ice, e.g. ice-boxes
- F25D3/06—Movable containers
-
- 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
- F25D2303/00—Details of devices using other cold materials; Details of devices using cold-storage bodies
- F25D2303/08—Devices using cold storage material, i.e. ice or other freezable liquid
- F25D2303/084—Position of the cold storage material in relationship to a product to be cooled
- F25D2303/0845—Position of the cold storage material in relationship to a product to be cooled below the product
-
- 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
- F25D2331/00—Details or arrangements of other cooling or freezing apparatus not provided for in other groups of this subclass
- F25D2331/80—Type of cooled receptacles
- F25D2331/803—Bottles
-
- 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
- F25D2331/00—Details or arrangements of other cooling or freezing apparatus not provided for in other groups of this subclass
- F25D2331/80—Type of cooled receptacles
- F25D2331/809—Holders
-
- 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
- F25D2400/00—General features of, or devices for refrigerators, cold rooms, ice-boxes, or for cooling or freezing apparatus not covered by any other subclass
- F25D2400/28—Quick cooling
Definitions
- the present invention relates to freezing systems, and in particular to a device for selectively freezing portions of bottled beverages.
- bottled beverages have been chilled by placing the bottles in a refrigerator or an ice bath.
- a system for chilling liquids in bottles in a selectively efficient manner is desired.
- the present invention is directed to a freezing device comprising a refrigeration base housing having a refrigeration system therein and a bottle receiver above the refrigeration base housing.
- the bottle receiver has at least one top opening, each top opening for accepting a portion of a bottle of consumable beverage therein such that a top portion of the bottle is not encompassed by the bottle receiver.
- the bottle receiver has an air space between at least one sidewall of the bottle receiver and the bottle.
- the refrigeration system cools the space within the bottle receiver for freezing a bottom portion of the consumable beverage encompassed by the bottle receiver.
- the freezing device includes a refrigeration base housing having a refrigeration system therein and a bottle receiver above the refrigeration base housing.
- the bottle receiver has at least one top opening, each top opening for accepting a portion of a bottle of consumable beverage therein such that a top portion of the bottle is not encompassed by the bottle receiver.
- the bottle receiver has an air space between at least one sidewall of the bottle receiver and the bottle. The refrigeration system cools the space within the bottle receiver for freezing a bottom portion of the consumable beverage encompassed by the bottle receiver.
- Yet another aspect of the present invention is to provide a freezing system comprising a bottle of consumable beverage and a freezing device.
- the freezing device includes a refrigeration base housing having a refrigeration system therein and a bottle receiver above the refrigeration base housing.
- the bottle receiver has at least one top opening, each top opening for accepting a portion of the bottle therein such that a top portion of the bottle is not encompassed by the bottle receiver.
- the bottle receiver has an air space between at least one sidewall of the bottle receiver and the bottle.
- the refrigeration system cools the space within the bottle receiver for freezing a bottom portion of the consumable beverage encompassed by the bottle receiver.
- Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a method of cooling a consumable beverage comprising providing a bottle enclosing the consumable beverage; providing a freezing device including a refrigeration base housing having a refrigeration system therein and a bottle receiver above the refrigeration base housing; placing the bottle into a top opening of the bottle receiver to encompass a bottom portion of the bottle with the bottle receiver; providing an air space between at least one sidewall of the bottle receiver and the bottle; and cooling the space within the bottle receiver for freezing a bottom portion of the consumable beverage encompassed by the bottle receiver.
- FIG. 1 is a side view of a freezing device of an embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 1A is a side view of the freezing device of another embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the freezing device.
- FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a refrigerator including a pair of the freezing devices.
- FIG. 4 is a top view of a second embodiment of the freezing device.
- FIG. 5 is a front view of the second embodiment of the freezing device.
- FIG. 6 is a front view of a bottle that can be used with the freezing device.
- the reference number 10 ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ) generally designates a freezing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
- the freezing device 10 includes a refrigeration base housing 12 and a bottle receiver 14 .
- the bottle receiver 14 is configured to receive a bottle 16 therein for freezing a portion of a consumable beverage 18 (e.g., water) contained within the bottle 16 to result in a frozen (solid) portion 20 of the consumable beverage 18 located in the area encompassed by the bottle receiver 14 and a non-frozen (liquid) portion 22 of the consumable beverage 18 located in the area located outside of the bottle receiver 14 .
- a consumable beverage 18 e.g., water
- the refrigeration base housing 12 includes a refrigeration system 24 therein for cooling a support surface 26 that supports the bottle 16 within the bottle receiver 14 and air 28 within the bottle receiver 14 between an interior surface 30 of the bottle receiver 14 and the bottle 16 to a temperature below the freezing temperature of the consumable beverage 18 .
- the refrigeration system 24 can be any system for lowering the temperature of the support surface 26 and the air 28 .
- the refrigeration system 24 can include a cyclic refrigeration system (e.g., a vapor-compression cycle), a thermoelectric refrigeration system, or a magnetic refrigeration system.
- a cyclic refrigeration system e.g., a vapor-compression cycle
- thermoelectric refrigeration system e.g., a thermoelectric refrigeration system
- magnetic refrigeration system e.g., a magnetic refrigeration system.
- the illustrated bottle receiver 14 extends upward from the refrigeration base housing 12 and supports the bottle 16 therein.
- the bottle receiver 14 includes a larger base 32 and a smaller top 34 with at least one sidewall 36 extending between the larger base 32 and the smaller top 34 .
- the bottle receiver 14 could have any shape.
- the bottle receiver 14 could have a frustoconical profile with the sidewall 36 being conical as illustrated in FIG. 1 or could have a rectangular profile having a plurality of sidewalls 36 as shown in FIG. 1A .
- the sidewalls 36 can be curved or planar and the smaller top 34 could have any shape (e.g., circular, rectangular, square, hexagon, octagon, etc.).
- the bottle receiver 14 can be made of any material, and can be made of or include insulating material.
- the smaller top 34 of the bottle receiver 14 includes an opening 40 for receiving the bottle 16 therein.
- the periphery of the opening 40 can abut the bottle 16 or a circular flexible seal 42 can extend from the opening 40 in the smaller top 34 to abut against a side surface of the bottle 16 .
- the freezing device 10 is positioned within a refrigerator 100 such that the portion of the bottle 16 outside of the freezing device 10 can still be cooled.
- FIG. 2 illustrates a pair of freezing devices 10 within the refrigerator 100 .
- a first one of the freezing devices 10 includes a power cord 102 that is plugged into an outlet 104 within the interior of the refrigerator 100 to allow the first one of the freezing devices 10 to be removed from the refrigerator 100 .
- a second one of the freezing devices 10 is hardwired 108 to a shelf 106 within the refrigerator 100 and is therefore not removable. It is considered that any refrigerator 100 could include multiple instances of the first one and/or the second one of the freezing devices 10 as illustrated in FIG. 2 .
- first one or the second one of the freezing devices 10 as illustrated in FIG. 2 could include an outlet built into the refrigeration base housing 12 to allow further freezing devices 10 to be plugged into the refrigeration base housing 12 to power the further freezing devices 10 .
- the refrigerator 100 could be any small consumer refrigerator or could be any large refrigerator, including a walk-in refrigerator.
- the freezing devices 10 as described herein allow the bottle 16 containing the consumable beverage 18 (e.g., water) therein to result in the frozen (solid) portion 20 of the consumable beverage 18 and the non-frozen (liquid) portion 22 of the consumable beverage 18 .
- Such bottle 16 allows a user thereof to drink the non-frozen (liquid) portion 22 of the consumable beverage 18 directly after removal of the bottle 16 from the freezing device 10 along with providing the frozen (solid) portion 20 for maintaining a cold temperature of the non-frozen (liquid) portion 22 along with supplying further substance to the non-frozen (liquid) portion 22 as the frozen (solid) portion 20 melts.
- FIGS. 4-5 illustrate another embodiment of a freezing device 200 .
- the second embodiment of the freezing device 200 can be located in a cooler or a refrigerator, like refrigerator 100 outlined above.
- the freezing device 200 can define a shelf in the cooler or refrigerator.
- the freezing device 200 includes a line or row 202 of bottles 16 , with each of the bottles 16 sharing a common bottle receiver or freezing area 204 . While two rows 202 of bottles 16 are shown, any number (including only one) of rows 202 of bottles 16 could be employed by the freezing device 200 .
- the second embodiment of the freezing device 200 allows for individual bottles 16 to be removed therefrom, with another bottle 16 being moved to the front of the row 202 until all bottles 16 are removed from the row 202 .
- the illustrated freezing device 200 can include a front door 206 at the front of the row 202 of bottles 16 for allowing a bottle 16 to be removed from the front of the freezing device 200 .
- the front door 206 can comprise any opening and closing mechanism.
- the front door 206 can include a pair of saloon doors 208 , with one or both of the saloon doors 208 having a seal 210 for sealing the common freezing area 204 when the saloon doors a closed 208 .
- Another embodiment of the front door 206 includes a door that is hinged from the bottom and being spring biased into a substantially vertical position. However, any front door 206 that can seal the common freezing area 204 could be used.
- the front wall of the row 202 can be a solid wall and the bottle 16 can be removed from the freezing device 200 by lifting the bottle 16 out of the freezing device 200 . It is contemplated that the freezing device 200 could have a sensor to determine when there are no longer any bottles 16 therein to turn off the freezing device 200 or the cooling elements of an internal area of the row 202 .
- a seal member 212 is located between each bottle 16 at a top of the common freezing area 204 to seal the interior of the common freezing area 204 .
- the seal member 212 could be any device or devices that can seal the interior of the common freezing area 204 .
- each seal member 212 could a single pliable sheet that moves to allow a bottle 16 to be moved toward the front door 206 and moves back into position once the bottle 16 has moved thereby.
- the seal member 212 could be a substantially triangular sheet (with angled sides to accommodate the exterior shape of a bottle 16 ).
- Each seal member 212 could also be a plurality of brushes that can move as the bottle 16 passes by the seal member 212 .
- a divider could move between each bottle 16 . If a divider is used, it is contemplated that the divider could be moved out of the way at the front door 206 (e.g., sliding into an opening or folding down) to allow the bottle 16 to be easily removed from the freezing device 200 through the front door 206 . It is contemplated that all of the seal members 212 on a single side of a row 202 could be a single member such that all of the seal members 212 on the single side of the row 202 move as one as the bottles 16 move forward.
- the row 202 of bottles 16 are configured to move toward the front door 206 . It is contemplated that bottles 16 could move forward in any manner. For example, a floor of the common freezing area 204 holding the bottles 16 could be slanted with gravity forcing the bottles 16 forward. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 4 , a pusher 220 biased by a spring 222 or pushed in a mechanical manner can push the bottles 16 forward. It is contemplated that the pusher 220 can have slots to rest in located at a position between an initial location of the bottles 16 such that the pusher 220 does not apply pressure against the front door 206 in such a manner that the front door 206 would inadvertently open.
- the row 202 could have a step in front of the bottles 16 at the front of the row 202 behind the door 206 to prevent forward movement of the bottles 16 from gravity or force of the pusher 220 .
- the pusher 220 could have a cover 224 connected thereto that unrolls from a roll 226 located at a rear of the row 202 to cover the common freezing area 204 as the pusher 220 moved toward the front door 206 .
- FIG. 6 illustrates a bottle 16 a that can be used with any embodiment of the freezing device as disclosed herein.
- the bottle 16 a includes a constriction 300 , with the frozen (solid) portion 20 a of the consumable beverage 18 a being located above the constriction 300 and the non-frozen (liquid) portion 22 s of the consumable beverage 18 s located in the area above the constriction 300 .
- the constriction can maintain the frozen (solid) portion 20 a at a bottom of the bottle 16 a until the frozen (solid) portion 20 a has sufficiently melted.
- the vertical location and the size of the constriction 300 can be varied depending on the configuration of the freezing device having the bottle 16 a therein and/or desired melting properties of the frozen (solid) portion 20 a.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Devices That Are Associated With Refrigeration Equipment (AREA)
Abstract
A freezing device comprising a refrigeration base housing having a refrigeration system therein and a bottle receiver above the refrigeration base housing. The bottle receiver has a top opening for accepting a portion of a bottle of consumable beverage therein such that a top portion of the bottle is not encompassed by the bottle receiver. The bottle receiver has an air space between at least one sidewall of the bottle receiver and the bottle. The refrigeration system cools the space within the bottle receiver for freezing a bottom portion of the consumable beverage encompassed by the bottle receiver.
Description
- This is a divisional of prior U.S. Ser. No. 16/688,157, filed Nov. 19, 2019, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application U.S. Ser. No. 62/769,244, filed on Nov. 19, 2018, the disclosures all of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
- The present invention relates to freezing systems, and in particular to a device for selectively freezing portions of bottled beverages.
- In the past, bottled beverages have been chilled by placing the bottles in a refrigerator or an ice bath. A system for chilling liquids in bottles in a selectively efficient manner is desired.
- The present invention, according to one aspect, is directed to a freezing device comprising a refrigeration base housing having a refrigeration system therein and a bottle receiver above the refrigeration base housing. The bottle receiver has at least one top opening, each top opening for accepting a portion of a bottle of consumable beverage therein such that a top portion of the bottle is not encompassed by the bottle receiver. The bottle receiver has an air space between at least one sidewall of the bottle receiver and the bottle. The refrigeration system cools the space within the bottle receiver for freezing a bottom portion of the consumable beverage encompassed by the bottle receiver.
- Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator comprising a receiving area having a temperature therein below room temperature and a freezing device located within the receiving area. The freezing device includes a refrigeration base housing having a refrigeration system therein and a bottle receiver above the refrigeration base housing. The bottle receiver has at least one top opening, each top opening for accepting a portion of a bottle of consumable beverage therein such that a top portion of the bottle is not encompassed by the bottle receiver. The bottle receiver has an air space between at least one sidewall of the bottle receiver and the bottle. The refrigeration system cools the space within the bottle receiver for freezing a bottom portion of the consumable beverage encompassed by the bottle receiver.
- Yet another aspect of the present invention is to provide a freezing system comprising a bottle of consumable beverage and a freezing device. The freezing device includes a refrigeration base housing having a refrigeration system therein and a bottle receiver above the refrigeration base housing. The bottle receiver has at least one top opening, each top opening for accepting a portion of the bottle therein such that a top portion of the bottle is not encompassed by the bottle receiver. The bottle receiver has an air space between at least one sidewall of the bottle receiver and the bottle. The refrigeration system cools the space within the bottle receiver for freezing a bottom portion of the consumable beverage encompassed by the bottle receiver.
- Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a method of cooling a consumable beverage comprising providing a bottle enclosing the consumable beverage; providing a freezing device including a refrigeration base housing having a refrigeration system therein and a bottle receiver above the refrigeration base housing; placing the bottle into a top opening of the bottle receiver to encompass a bottom portion of the bottle with the bottle receiver; providing an air space between at least one sidewall of the bottle receiver and the bottle; and cooling the space within the bottle receiver for freezing a bottom portion of the consumable beverage encompassed by the bottle receiver.
- One or more embodiments of the present invention are illustrated by way of example and should not be construed as being limited to the specific embodiments depicted in the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals indicate similar elements.
-
FIG. 1 is a side view of a freezing device of an embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 1A is a side view of the freezing device of another embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the freezing device. -
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a refrigerator including a pair of the freezing devices. -
FIG. 4 is a top view of a second embodiment of the freezing device. -
FIG. 5 is a front view of the second embodiment of the freezing device. -
FIG. 6 is a front view of a bottle that can be used with the freezing device. - The specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting.
- For purposes of description herein, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.
- The reference number 10 (
FIGS. 1 and 2 ) generally designates a freezing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Thefreezing device 10 includes arefrigeration base housing 12 and abottle receiver 14. Thebottle receiver 14 is configured to receive abottle 16 therein for freezing a portion of a consumable beverage 18 (e.g., water) contained within thebottle 16 to result in a frozen (solid) portion 20 of theconsumable beverage 18 located in the area encompassed by thebottle receiver 14 and a non-frozen (liquid)portion 22 of theconsumable beverage 18 located in the area located outside of thebottle receiver 14. - In the illustrated example, the
refrigeration base housing 12 includes arefrigeration system 24 therein for cooling asupport surface 26 that supports thebottle 16 within thebottle receiver 14 andair 28 within thebottle receiver 14 between aninterior surface 30 of thebottle receiver 14 and thebottle 16 to a temperature below the freezing temperature of theconsumable beverage 18. Therefrigeration system 24 can be any system for lowering the temperature of thesupport surface 26 and theair 28. For example, therefrigeration system 24 can include a cyclic refrigeration system (e.g., a vapor-compression cycle), a thermoelectric refrigeration system, or a magnetic refrigeration system. The preceding list is for example only and is not exhaustive of systems that could be used. - The illustrated
bottle receiver 14 extends upward from therefrigeration base housing 12 and supports thebottle 16 therein. Thebottle receiver 14 includes alarger base 32 and asmaller top 34 with at least onesidewall 36 extending between thelarger base 32 and thesmaller top 34. It is contemplated that thebottle receiver 14 could have any shape. For example, thebottle receiver 14 could have a frustoconical profile with thesidewall 36 being conical as illustrated inFIG. 1 or could have a rectangular profile having a plurality ofsidewalls 36 as shown inFIG. 1A . Thesidewalls 36 can be curved or planar and thesmaller top 34 could have any shape (e.g., circular, rectangular, square, hexagon, octagon, etc.). Thebottle receiver 14 can be made of any material, and can be made of or include insulating material. Thesmaller top 34 of thebottle receiver 14 includes an opening 40 for receiving thebottle 16 therein. The periphery of theopening 40 can abut thebottle 16 or a circular flexible seal 42 can extend from the opening 40 in thesmaller top 34 to abut against a side surface of thebottle 16. - In the illustrated embodiment, the
freezing device 10 is positioned within arefrigerator 100 such that the portion of thebottle 16 outside of thefreezing device 10 can still be cooled.FIG. 2 illustrates a pair offreezing devices 10 within therefrigerator 100. A first one of thefreezing devices 10 includes apower cord 102 that is plugged into anoutlet 104 within the interior of therefrigerator 100 to allow the first one of thefreezing devices 10 to be removed from therefrigerator 100. A second one of thefreezing devices 10 is hardwired 108 to ashelf 106 within therefrigerator 100 and is therefore not removable. It is considered that anyrefrigerator 100 could include multiple instances of the first one and/or the second one of thefreezing devices 10 as illustrated inFIG. 2 . It is contemplated that either the first one or the second one of thefreezing devices 10 as illustrated inFIG. 2 could include an outlet built into therefrigeration base housing 12 to allow furtherfreezing devices 10 to be plugged into therefrigeration base housing 12 to power the furtherfreezing devices 10. Therefrigerator 100 could be any small consumer refrigerator or could be any large refrigerator, including a walk-in refrigerator. - The
freezing devices 10 as described herein allow thebottle 16 containing the consumable beverage 18 (e.g., water) therein to result in the frozen (solid) portion 20 of theconsumable beverage 18 and the non-frozen (liquid)portion 22 of theconsumable beverage 18.Such bottle 16 allows a user thereof to drink the non-frozen (liquid)portion 22 of theconsumable beverage 18 directly after removal of thebottle 16 from the freezingdevice 10 along with providing the frozen (solid) portion 20 for maintaining a cold temperature of the non-frozen (liquid)portion 22 along with supplying further substance to the non-frozen (liquid)portion 22 as the frozen (solid) portion 20 melts. -
FIGS. 4-5 illustrate another embodiment of a freezingdevice 200. The second embodiment of the freezingdevice 200 can be located in a cooler or a refrigerator, likerefrigerator 100 outlined above. The freezingdevice 200 can define a shelf in the cooler or refrigerator. The freezingdevice 200 includes a line orrow 202 ofbottles 16, with each of thebottles 16 sharing a common bottle receiver or freezingarea 204. While tworows 202 ofbottles 16 are shown, any number (including only one) ofrows 202 ofbottles 16 could be employed by the freezingdevice 200. The second embodiment of the freezingdevice 200 allows forindividual bottles 16 to be removed therefrom, with anotherbottle 16 being moved to the front of therow 202 until allbottles 16 are removed from therow 202. - The illustrated freezing
device 200 can include afront door 206 at the front of therow 202 ofbottles 16 for allowing abottle 16 to be removed from the front of the freezingdevice 200. Thefront door 206 can comprise any opening and closing mechanism. For example, thefront door 206 can include a pair ofsaloon doors 208, with one or both of thesaloon doors 208 having aseal 210 for sealing thecommon freezing area 204 when the saloon doors a closed 208. Another embodiment of thefront door 206 includes a door that is hinged from the bottom and being spring biased into a substantially vertical position. However, anyfront door 206 that can seal thecommon freezing area 204 could be used. Alternatively, the front wall of therow 202 can be a solid wall and thebottle 16 can be removed from the freezingdevice 200 by lifting thebottle 16 out of the freezingdevice 200. It is contemplated that the freezingdevice 200 could have a sensor to determine when there are no longer anybottles 16 therein to turn off the freezingdevice 200 or the cooling elements of an internal area of therow 202. - In the illustrated example, a
seal member 212 is located between eachbottle 16 at a top of thecommon freezing area 204 to seal the interior of thecommon freezing area 204. Theseal member 212 could be any device or devices that can seal the interior of thecommon freezing area 204. For example, eachseal member 212 could a single pliable sheet that moves to allow abottle 16 to be moved toward thefront door 206 and moves back into position once thebottle 16 has moved thereby. Theseal member 212 could be a substantially triangular sheet (with angled sides to accommodate the exterior shape of a bottle 16). Eachseal member 212 could also be a plurality of brushes that can move as thebottle 16 passes by theseal member 212. While thebottles 16 are shown as abutting each other in therow 202, it is contemplated that a divider could move between eachbottle 16. If a divider is used, it is contemplated that the divider could be moved out of the way at the front door 206 (e.g., sliding into an opening or folding down) to allow thebottle 16 to be easily removed from the freezingdevice 200 through thefront door 206. It is contemplated that all of theseal members 212 on a single side of arow 202 could be a single member such that all of theseal members 212 on the single side of therow 202 move as one as thebottles 16 move forward. - As outlined above, the
row 202 ofbottles 16 are configured to move toward thefront door 206. It is contemplated thatbottles 16 could move forward in any manner. For example, a floor of thecommon freezing area 204 holding thebottles 16 could be slanted with gravity forcing thebottles 16 forward. Alternatively, as shown inFIG. 4 , apusher 220 biased by aspring 222 or pushed in a mechanical manner can push thebottles 16 forward. It is contemplated that thepusher 220 can have slots to rest in located at a position between an initial location of thebottles 16 such that thepusher 220 does not apply pressure against thefront door 206 in such a manner that thefront door 206 would inadvertently open. Moreover, therow 202 could have a step in front of thebottles 16 at the front of therow 202 behind thedoor 206 to prevent forward movement of thebottles 16 from gravity or force of thepusher 220. It is also contemplated that thepusher 220 could have acover 224 connected thereto that unrolls from aroll 226 located at a rear of therow 202 to cover thecommon freezing area 204 as thepusher 220 moved toward thefront door 206. -
FIG. 6 illustrates a bottle 16 a that can be used with any embodiment of the freezing device as disclosed herein. The bottle 16 a includes aconstriction 300, with the frozen (solid)portion 20 a of theconsumable beverage 18 a being located above theconstriction 300 and the non-frozen (liquid) portion 22s of the consumable beverage 18s located in the area above theconstriction 300. It is contemplated that the constriction can maintain the frozen (solid)portion 20 a at a bottom of the bottle 16 a until the frozen (solid)portion 20 a has sufficiently melted. The vertical location and the size of theconstriction 300 can be varied depending on the configuration of the freezing device having the bottle 16 a therein and/or desired melting properties of the frozen (solid)portion 20 a. - Although particular preferred embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in detail for illustrative purposes, it will be recognized that variations or modifications of the disclosed apparatus, including the rearrangement of parts, lie within the scope of the present invention.
Claims (20)
1. A freezing device comprising:
a plurality of bottles, each of the bottles having a consumable beverage therein;
a refrigeration base housing having a refrigeration system therein; and
at least one bottle receiving row above the refrigeration base housing, each at least one bottle receiving row having at least two of the plurality of bottles therein;
each at least one bottle receiving row having at least one top opening, each at least one top opening for accepting a bottom portion of the bottles therein such that a top portion of the bottles are not encompassed by the at least one bottle receiving row;
each at least one bottle receiving row having an air space between at least one sidewall of each at least one bottle receiving row and the bottle; and
the refrigeration system cooling the air space within the each at least one bottle receiving row for freezing a bottom portion of the consumable beverage of the bottom portion of the bottles encompassed by the each at least one bottle receiving row.
2. The freezing device of claim 1 , wherein:
the at least one bottle receiving row comprises a plurality of bottle receiving rows.
3. The freezing device of claim 1 , wherein:
the refrigeration base housing includes a power cord.
4. The freezing device of claim 1 , further including:
a flexible seal extending inwardly from the at least one top opening.
5. The freezing device of claim 2 , wherein:
the at least one top opening comprises a plurality of top openings.
6. A refrigerator comprising:
housing including a receiving area having a temperature therein below room temperature; and
the freezing device of claim 1 located within the receiving area.
7. The refrigerator of claim 6 , wherein:
the at least one bottle receiving row comprises a plurality of bottle receiving rows.
8. The refrigerator of claim 6 , wherein:
the refrigeration base housing includes a power cord plugged into an outlet in the receiving area.
9. The refrigerator of claim 6 , wherein:
the refrigeration base housing is hardwired to a shelf within the receiving area.
10. The refrigerator of claim 6 , wherein:
a flexible seal extends inwardly from the at least one top opening.
11. The refrigerator of claim 6 , wherein:
the at least one top opening comprises a plurality of top openings.
12. The freezing device of claim 2 , further including:
a front door located at a front of each at least one bottle receiving row.
13. The freezing device of claim 12 , wherein:
the front door comprises saloon doors.
14. The freezing device of claim 12 , further including:
a pusher for each at least one bottle receiving row, the pusher pushing the bottles in the at least one bottle receiving row toward the front door.
15. The freezing device of claim 2 , further including:
a pusher for each at least one bottle receiving row, the pusher pushing the bottles in the at least one bottle receiving row toward a front of the at least one bottle receiving row.
16. The refrigerator of claim 6 , further including:
a front door located at a front of each at least one bottle receiving row.
17. The refrigerator of claim 16 , wherein:
the front door comprises saloon doors.
18. The refrigerator of claim 16 , further including:
a pusher for each at least one bottle receiving row, the pusher pushing the bottles in the at least one bottle receiving row toward the front door.
19. The refrigerator of claim 6 , further including:
a pusher for each at least one bottle receiving row, the pusher pushing the bottles in the at least one bottle receiving row toward a front of the at least one bottle receiving row.
20. A freezing device comprising:
a bottle of consumable beverage, the bottle having a bottom portion housing the consumable beverage and a top portion having a cap;
a refrigeration base housing having a refrigeration system therein; and
a bottle receiver above the refrigeration base housing;
the bottle receiver having at least one top opening, each at least one top opening for accepting a portion of the bottle of consumable beverage therein such that the top portion of the bottle is not encompassed by the bottle receiver;
the bottle receiver having an air space between at least one conical sidewall of the bottle receiver and the bottle; and
the refrigeration system cooling the air space within the bottle receiver for freezing the bottom portion of the bottle having the consumable beverage therein encompassed by the bottle receiver.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US17/528,293 US20220074651A1 (en) | 2018-11-19 | 2021-11-17 | Device for selectively freezing portions of bottled beverages |
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US201862769244P | 2018-11-19 | 2018-11-19 | |
US16/688,157 US20200158425A1 (en) | 2018-11-19 | 2019-11-19 | Device for selectively freezing portions of bottled beverages |
US17/528,293 US20220074651A1 (en) | 2018-11-19 | 2021-11-17 | Device for selectively freezing portions of bottled beverages |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US16/688,157 Division US20200158425A1 (en) | 2018-11-19 | 2019-11-19 | Device for selectively freezing portions of bottled beverages |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20220074651A1 true US20220074651A1 (en) | 2022-03-10 |
Family
ID=68848462
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US16/688,157 Abandoned US20200158425A1 (en) | 2018-11-19 | 2019-11-19 | Device for selectively freezing portions of bottled beverages |
US17/528,293 Pending US20220074651A1 (en) | 2018-11-19 | 2021-11-17 | Device for selectively freezing portions of bottled beverages |
Family Applications Before (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US16/688,157 Abandoned US20200158425A1 (en) | 2018-11-19 | 2019-11-19 | Device for selectively freezing portions of bottled beverages |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (2) | US20200158425A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2020106684A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2024130383A1 (en) * | 2022-12-23 | 2024-06-27 | Michaud Scott | Methods and apparatus for selective freezing of a beverage in bottles or containers |
Citations (12)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US1700060A (en) * | 1929-01-22 | Bottle-dispensing iffachine | ||
US4489995A (en) * | 1981-08-14 | 1984-12-25 | Tyler Refrigeration Corporation | Adjustable electrical outlet assembly |
US5842353A (en) * | 1996-12-13 | 1998-12-01 | Kuo-Liang; Lin | Apparatus for heating or cooling drinks |
WO2007089789A2 (en) * | 2006-01-30 | 2007-08-09 | Amerigon Inc. | Cooling system for container in a vehicle |
CA2657856A1 (en) * | 2008-03-12 | 2009-09-12 | Omega Patents, L.L.C. | Treatment device for cooling and magnetically treating liquid within a container and associated methods |
US20140190917A1 (en) * | 2012-08-03 | 2014-07-10 | Fasteners For Retail, Inc. | Latching system for a merchandising apparatus |
WO2015160266A1 (en) * | 2014-04-15 | 2015-10-22 | Sub Zero International Limited | Refrigeration apparatus |
US9365146B1 (en) * | 2014-03-18 | 2016-06-14 | Charlette A. Allen | Hot or cold cup holder for vehicles |
WO2017009881A1 (en) * | 2015-07-15 | 2017-01-19 | Salemme Ferdinando | Cooling container |
JP2017516970A (en) * | 2014-01-24 | 2017-06-22 | スーパークーラー テクノロジーズ インコーポレイテッド | High-speed rotating liquid immersion type beverage supercooler and ice-melting promoting substance aqueous solution |
US20170234603A1 (en) * | 2016-02-12 | 2017-08-17 | CERVECERÍA Y MALTERIA QUILMES S.A.l.C.A. y G. | Sectorized cooling arrangement for refrigerators |
US20190350390A1 (en) * | 2018-05-17 | 2019-11-21 | Morris Broussard | Electronically cooled container assembly |
Family Cites Families (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6311499B1 (en) * | 1999-06-24 | 2001-11-06 | John A. Broadbent | Dual-temperature refrigerating device for freezing beverage containers |
US7056476B2 (en) * | 2000-06-15 | 2006-06-06 | Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba | Refrigerator and deodorizer producing ozone by high-voltage discharge |
US6588621B2 (en) * | 2000-11-06 | 2003-07-08 | J. John Shimazaki | Beverage bottle cooling method and apparatus with assembly for holding ice and water |
FR2933677B3 (en) * | 2008-07-11 | 2010-06-18 | Heng Te Yang | THERMO-CONSERVATION CONTAINER |
DE102009000847A1 (en) * | 2009-02-13 | 2010-08-26 | BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH | Refrigerating appliance with bottle cooling function |
-
2019
- 2019-11-19 WO PCT/US2019/062148 patent/WO2020106684A1/en active Application Filing
- 2019-11-19 US US16/688,157 patent/US20200158425A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2021
- 2021-11-17 US US17/528,293 patent/US20220074651A1/en active Pending
Patent Citations (12)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US1700060A (en) * | 1929-01-22 | Bottle-dispensing iffachine | ||
US4489995A (en) * | 1981-08-14 | 1984-12-25 | Tyler Refrigeration Corporation | Adjustable electrical outlet assembly |
US5842353A (en) * | 1996-12-13 | 1998-12-01 | Kuo-Liang; Lin | Apparatus for heating or cooling drinks |
WO2007089789A2 (en) * | 2006-01-30 | 2007-08-09 | Amerigon Inc. | Cooling system for container in a vehicle |
CA2657856A1 (en) * | 2008-03-12 | 2009-09-12 | Omega Patents, L.L.C. | Treatment device for cooling and magnetically treating liquid within a container and associated methods |
US20140190917A1 (en) * | 2012-08-03 | 2014-07-10 | Fasteners For Retail, Inc. | Latching system for a merchandising apparatus |
JP2017516970A (en) * | 2014-01-24 | 2017-06-22 | スーパークーラー テクノロジーズ インコーポレイテッド | High-speed rotating liquid immersion type beverage supercooler and ice-melting promoting substance aqueous solution |
US9365146B1 (en) * | 2014-03-18 | 2016-06-14 | Charlette A. Allen | Hot or cold cup holder for vehicles |
WO2015160266A1 (en) * | 2014-04-15 | 2015-10-22 | Sub Zero International Limited | Refrigeration apparatus |
WO2017009881A1 (en) * | 2015-07-15 | 2017-01-19 | Salemme Ferdinando | Cooling container |
US20170234603A1 (en) * | 2016-02-12 | 2017-08-17 | CERVECERÍA Y MALTERIA QUILMES S.A.l.C.A. y G. | Sectorized cooling arrangement for refrigerators |
US20190350390A1 (en) * | 2018-05-17 | 2019-11-21 | Morris Broussard | Electronically cooled container assembly |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US20200158425A1 (en) | 2020-05-21 |
WO2020106684A1 (en) | 2020-05-28 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US9448006B2 (en) | Turbo-chill chamber using secondary coolant | |
US4831840A (en) | Ice maker with covered ice tray | |
US4916921A (en) | Ice maker with vertical cooling member | |
US10495378B2 (en) | Method and apparatus for cooling a fluid beverage below a beverage's freezing point | |
US6269653B1 (en) | Portable device for refrigerating beverages | |
US20220074651A1 (en) | Device for selectively freezing portions of bottled beverages | |
CN112512380B (en) | Beverage cooler | |
US9828229B2 (en) | Refrigerator and beverage supplying method using the same | |
US20160025402A1 (en) | Supercooling refrigerator | |
CN112839548A (en) | Refrigerator for beverage and food products | |
US11397037B2 (en) | Refrigeration appliance with slim ice maker | |
US11497135B2 (en) | Cooling apparatus comprising a connecting element for supporting tubes or wires or the like | |
US10729258B2 (en) | Beverage dispenser having at least one tilted and gravity assisted rotating tray | |
US20120031112A1 (en) | Turbo-chill chamber with air-flow booster | |
WO2013143909A1 (en) | A cooling device comprising a rapid cooling arrangement | |
CA2620244A1 (en) | Thermoelectric container cooler | |
EP2095044B1 (en) | Method and device for cooling products | |
WO2015160266A1 (en) | Refrigeration apparatus | |
US7159404B2 (en) | System and method for storing a product in a thermally stabilized state | |
JP3101714U (en) | Freezing PET bottle beverage and its vending machine. | |
JP6150622B2 (en) | Supercooling device, refrigeration device having the supercooling device, and supercooling method | |
WO2018121922A1 (en) | A refrigerator comprising a fast cooling compartment | |
BR202015029122U2 (en) | SUPPORT FOR REFRIGERATION OF BOTTLES, CANS OR CUPS OF LIQUIDS POSITIONED IN THE AIR CONDITIONING OF AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STPP | Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general |
Free format text: DOCKETED NEW CASE - READY FOR EXAMINATION |
|
STPP | Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general |
Free format text: NON FINAL ACTION MAILED |