WO2004063086A1

WO2004063086A1 - Heat exchanger for a supple receptacle

Info

Publication number: WO2004063086A1
Application number: PCT/FR2002/004334
Authority: WO
Inventors: Paul Boudier
Original assignee: Paul Boudier
Priority date: 2002-12-13
Filing date: 2002-12-13
Publication date: 2004-07-29
Also published as: AU2002364838A1

Abstract

Disclosed is a heat exchanger comprising a body (10) that is made of a thermally conducting material, delimits at least one seat (4) for receiving a supple receptacle (5), the walls of which support the supple receptacle (5) and form a surface for exchanging heat with the contents of the receptacle (5), and is provided with connecting means (20) for a source of heat and/or cold (7).

Description

HEAT EXCHANGER FOR FLEXIBLE CONTAINER

The invention relates to the technical field of packaging and storage of a food fluid or not, at a given temperature. In a preferred but nonlimiting application, the invention relates to the field of packaging and distribution at a given consumption temperature of food liquids and more particularly of drinking or mineral water. In the field of conservation and distribution of drinking water, it is known to use storage cylinders which are associated with a distribution device otherwise called a fountain, comprising, on the one hand, means of refrigeration of '' a volume of water withdrawn from the canister and stored in a refrigerated buffer tank, equipped with a withdrawal tap and, on the other hand, means for heating a volume of water also withdrawn from the canister in a buffer tank associated with heating means and also equipped with a tap.

Such a mode of storage and distribution generally gives full satisfaction with regard to its functions of supply on demand of water heated or cooled according to the needs of the user.

However, after. a certain period of use, the devices or fountains described above have the disadvantage of not offering good guarantees in terms of hygiene. In fact, the buffer storage tanks and their associated pipes constitute hotbeds of accumulation of bacteria and other water contaminants. In addition, bringing the water stored in the canister into contact with the ambient air as the canister is emptied increases the risk of contamination, especially of bacteria, of the content of the canister. The need therefore appears to have a new process for storing and conditioning drinking or mineral water, with a view to its distribution on demand, which overcomes the above drawbacks.

In order to achieve this objective, the invention relates to a process for conditioning drinking or mineral water, characterized in that it consists in particular in:

- use, as a packaging and storage container, a flexible container comprising withdrawal means such as, for example, a withdrawal tap,

- fill the flexible container with drinking or mineral water, 04/063086

- seal the filled flexible container.

According to a characteristic of the invention, the method consists in placing the flexible container filled with drinking or mineral water in a substantially rigid protective packaging such as, for example, but not exclusively, a cardboard packaging of parallelepiped shape,

The use of a flexible container provided with withdrawal means has the advantage of avoiding bringing the water contained in the container into contact with the outside air as the container is emptied. Indeed, during its emptying, the flexible container deforms under the effect of atmospheric pressure and this emptying is therefore carried out without introduction of outside air inside the container.

In addition, the use of a container comprising drawing off means allows the entire water circuit to be renewed each time the container is changed, thereby reducing the risks of contamination linked to the presence of polluting elements in the circuit of withdrawn drinking water.

Furthermore, there appears to be a need for means making it possible to ensure temporary storage and bringing the consumption of water stored in a flexible container to temperature. In fact, by US Pat. No. 4,757,920, a device has been proposed for cooling and dispensing a food fluid such as water packaged in a rigid container. According to this American patent, the device comprises a storage chamber, thermally insulated, and intended to receive the rigid container containing a liquid food. This storage and receiving chamber for the rigid container comprises a front and a movable upper part to allow an introduction of the container. The device comprises, in the lower part of the chamber, a source of cold such as for example a Peltier effect cell. Such a device is particularly well suited for cooling and dispensing the liquid contained in the removable rigid tank, which is capable of being changed once the latter is empty. However, this device is not suitable for storing and cooling various water or food fluids packaged in flexible containers. 04/063086

It therefore appears the need to have means which are capable of ensuring a storage function as well as setting and maintaining the temperature of a flexible container containing a fluid.

In order to meet this objective, the invention relates to a heat exchanger for at least one flexible container containing a fluid.

According to the invention, this exchanger is characterized in that it comprises a body:

- which is made of a thermally conductive material, - which delimits at least one receiving housing, for a flexible container, the walls of the housing being intended for:. support the flexible container,

• form a heat exchange surface with the contents of the container, - and which includes means for connection to a source of heat and / or cold. According to a preferred characteristic of the invention, the reception housing comprises:

- at least one side wall, - a bottom wall,

- an opening for introducing the flexible container located in the upper part of the body, opposite the bottom wall.

Very advantageously, the heat exchanger, according to the invention, defines a receptacle or a sort of trough which ensures perfect retention of the flexible container which is disposed there. In addition, the walls of the housing provide a maximum heat exchange surface due to their intimate contact with the flexible container which perfectly matches its shape under the effect of the weight of the fluid it contains.

According to a preferred characteristic of the invention, the side wall of the receiving housing converges towards the bottom wall of the latter.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the exchanger comprises a thickness of thermal insulation material covering, at least in part, the external surface of the body of the exchanger. According to another characteristic of the invention, the means for connecting the exchanger, to a heat and / or cold source, comprise a base which defines a substantially planar fixing surface, intended to receive at least one Peltier effect cell.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the fixing surface is at least flush with the outside surface of the thickness of thermal insulation material. Of course, the fixing surface can be projecting from the outer surface of the thickness of insulating material.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the body of the exchanger comprises a cavity located near the receiving housing for the establishment of temperature measurement means.

According to a preferred characteristic of the invention, the body of the exchanger comprises a through opening, arranged in a wall of the housing and intended for the passage of a draw-off valve equipping the flexible container. This advantageous characteristic allows the use of the heat exchanger, according to the invention, for the storage, the setting in temperature and the distribution of a conditioned fluid in a flexible container provided with a draw-off tap.

Preferably, the opening for passage of the withdrawal valve is located in the lower part of the housing and the bottom wall of the housing converges towards the opening for passage of the extraction valve.

This advantageous characteristic of the invention makes it possible on the one hand to ensure complete withdrawal of the fluid contained in the flexible container and on the other hand to create a convective movement in the fluid to be cooled.

The invention also relates to a device for setting and maintaining the temperature of at least one flexible container containing a fluid which comprises at least one heat exchanger according to the invention.

The invention also relates to a device for setting and maintaining the temperature as well as the distribution of a food fluid conditioned in a flexible container equipped with a tap. According to the invention, this device is characterized in that it comprises:

- a supporting chassis,

a heat exchanger according to the invention which is adapted to the supporting frame and which is intended to receive a flexible container containing a food fluid and comprising a withdrawal tap, - and a heat and / or cold source, connected to the heat exchanger. According to a preferred but not strictly necessary feature of the invention, the heat and / or cold source comprises at least one Peltier effect cell.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the device comprises a movable cover for accessing the housing for receiving the heat exchanger.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the cover is placed in the upper part of the device and provides access to the receiving housing, the introduction opening of which is also placed in the upper part of the device.

According to yet another characteristic of the invention, the carrying frame is adapted so that no part of the device is placed directly above the opening of the exchanger intended for the passage of the tap for drawing off the flexible container or that no part of the device is placed directly above the region in front of the opening intended to receive the tap for withdrawing from the container.

This advantageous characteristic of the invention makes it possible to fill a large container such as a bottle or carafe by means of the device according to the invention by placing the device according to the invention on the edge of a work surface. or support.

Various other characteristics of the invention emerge from the description below made with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a non-limiting embodiment of a device according to the invention for setting and maintaining temperature as well as the distribution of 'a fluid packaged in a flexible container comprising a tap.

Figure 1 is a perspective of a device according to the invention.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal section along the plane ll-ll of Figure 1.

A device according to the invention for the distribution, at consumption temperature, of a food liquid as shown and generally designated by the reference 1 in FIGS. 1 and 2, comprises a carrying frame 2 on which is fitted a heat exchanger heat 3 which defines a receptacle or receiving housing 4 for a flexible container 5 containing a liquid or edible fluid and comprising a tap 6 for withdrawing the liquid.

The device 1 also comprises a heat and / or cold source 7, connected to the heat exchanger 3.

According to an essential characteristic of the invention, the heat exchanger 3 comprises a hollow body 10 which is made of a thermally conductive material. Preferably but not strictly necessary, the body 10 is made of cast aluminum molded so as to constitute a one-piece element. However, within the meaning of the invention, the body 10 could be made of another metal such as for example copper or even stainless steel. Likewise, the body 10 could be made from welded elements or even be made from a synthetic material, for example molded, having good thermal conduction characteristics.

The inner surface of the body 10 defines side walls 1 1 and bottom 12 which delimit the receiving housing 4 of the flexible container 5. According to the example illustrated, the receiving housing 5 is open at the top of the body 10 and of the device 1. The opening 13, for the introduction of the flexible container 5, is then located opposite the bottom wall 12.

Insofar as the heat exchanger 3 is intended to receive a flexible container 5 comprising a draw-off tap 6, the body 10 also comprises a through opening 15 for the passage of the draw-off tap 6. Preferably, the opening 15 is arranged in the side wall 1 1 of the housing 4 in the lower part of the latter, near the bottom wall 12. In order to ensure as complete emptying of the flexible container as possible, the bottom wall converges or is inclined towards the passage opening 15, while the side walls 1 1 converge towards the bottom wall 12. The passage opening 15 is likely to have any suitable shape depending on the conformation of the withdrawal tap intended for there to be engaged. Thus, the opening 15 can have a keyhole shape or a circular shape. The opening 15 could also be made in the form of a notch arranged in the side wall 1 1, extending from the upper edge of the side wall 11 to the level substantially of the bottom wall 12. Such a groove would allow for example the engagement of a draw-off tap which would have a flange intended to come to bear on the edges of the notch forming the opening 15. The body 10 also comprises means 20 for connecting the heat exchanger 3 to the heat and / or cold source 7. According to the example illustrated, the connection means 20 are constituted by a base 21 which defines a substantially flat surface 22 for the fixing of at least one Peltier effect cell constituting the source of heat or cold. The extent of the surface 22 depends on the number of Peltier effect cells to be fixed thereto, a number which is a function of the thermal power required. Preferably, the base 21 is arranged projecting from the external surface 23 of the body 10.

In order to limit the effective heat exchange surface of the body 10 to the internal surface of the housing 4, the heat exchanger preferably comprises a thickness 25 of a thermally insulating material which covers the external face 23 of the body 10. Good Of course, the flat face 22 of the base is not covered with insulating material and preferably the surface 22 is flush with the outer surface 26 of the thickness 25 of insulating material. Furthermore, the thickness 25 of insulating material is preferably, but not necessarily, reduced at the level of the passage 15 in order to facilitate the fitting of the tap 6 and the handling of the latter.

The device 1 further comprises means 30 for controlling the heat and / or cold source 7 which are connected to the latter by a line 31 for controlling and supplying energy.

Furthermore, the control means 30 are connected by a line 32 to a device 33 for measuring the temperature placed in a cavity 34, arranged in the body 10 preferably near the receiving housing 5. According to the example illustrated, the cavity 34 is located near the bottom wall 12. This position of the receiving cavity 34 of the measuring means 33 is intended to promote good agreement between the measured temperature and the temperature of the contents of the flexible container 5.

According to the example illustrated, the device 1 also comprises ventilation means 35 intended to ensure an evacuation of the thermal energy transferred by the Peltier cell 7, via the heat exchanger 3, 04/063086

8 of the contents of the flexible container to a radiator 36 fitted to the Peltier cell. Preferably, the ventilation means 35 comprise, on the one hand, openings 37 arranged in the frame 2 to allow air circulation and, on the other hand, a fan 38 which accelerates the circulation of air .

The device 1 finally comprises a movable cover 40 intended to close the receiving housing 4 in order to ensure thermal insulation therefrom. Preferably but not strictly necessary, the cover 40 is removable and comprises, on its internal face, an interlocking and sealing element 41 made of the same material as the body 10. The cover 40 also comprises a thickness 42 of a thermal insulation material covering the external face of the element 41.

The device 1 as described above is particularly suitable for storing and warming up a flexible container containing fluids or edible liquids such as, for example but not exclusively, drinking or mineral water or else wine or fruit juice. The device 1 can then be implemented in the following manner.

The device 1 is for example placed on a support 5 such as a work surface or a table on which it is rested by feet 43 of the carrying frame 2.

The cover 41 is removed for introduction into the housing or receptacle 4 of the flexible bag 5 containing the food liquid, so that its tap passes through the opening 15. In order to ensure good immobilization of the tap 16, the device 1 preferably comprises locking means 45 comprising, for example but not exclusively, a clamping plate. Of course, the blocking means 45 could be produced in a completely different way depending in particular on the shape of the valve. After fitting the flexible container 5, the receiving housing 4 is closed by means of the cover 40.

The control means 30 are then actuated to ensure that the source 7 is put into operation, which then ensures cooling and then maintaining the content of the flexible container 5 at a set temperature. In order to allow a user to control the operation of the device 1, control means include a thumbwheel selection 46 which allows the source 7 to be started or stopped as well as a selection of the set temperature. Insofar as the Peltier cell has a reversible operation, the wheel 46 makes it possible to obtain either a cooling or a heating of the content of the flexible container 5 relative to the ambient temperature. Of course, the control means 46 of the control means 30 could be produced in any other form such as for example keys associated with a digital or analog display.

When it is desired to take a quantity of the contents of the flexible container, a suitable container, such as for example a glass not shown, is placed below the tap 6 which is then opened and then closed. It should be noted that in order to allow the glass to be put in place, the carrying frame 2 is designed to place the opening 15 and therefore the valve 6 at a sufficient distance d from the support S.

According to a preferred embodiment, in order to allow filling of containers having a height greater than the distance d, the frame 2 is preferably adapted so that no part of the device

1 is placed directly above the tap 6 or of the area 47, located in front of the passage 15, in which the tap 6 is placed. Thus, it is possible, by placing the device 1 at the edge of the support S, to place under the tap 6 a tall container such as for example a bottle or a carafe. It should be noted that the implementation of a flexible container avoids any contact of the contents of the container with the ambient air before racking. In addition, the inclination of the bottom 12 of the housing 4 ensures complete withdrawal of the contents of the flexible container 5. Furthermore, the inclination of the bottom makes it possible to create a convective movement in the fluid to be cooled. In this respect, the Peltier cell or cells are preferably arranged so as to cool the highest region of the bottom of the exchanger.

When the contents have been completely withdrawn, the cover 40 is removed and the flexible container 5, with its tap 6, are extracted during the exchanger 4 to be replaced by a new full container 5. The replacement of the flexible container 5, with its tap, has the advantage of ensuring, with each change of container, the complete renewal of the elements in contact with the liquid or the alimentary fluid. This provision of the invention guarantees perfect hygienic conditions and eliminates the risks of the development of bacterial foci at the level of the storage and distribution elements in contact with the liquid food. As specified above, the device according to the invention is particularly suitable for the distribution of water, wine or fruit juice. However, the device could also be used for the distribution of other food fluids such as cold or hot sauces.

According to the example illustrated, the heat exchanger is implemented with a Peltier cell. However, in accordance with the invention, the connection means, to the heat and / or cold source, could be constituted by pipes for the circulation of a coolant or refrigerant. Similarly, it could be envisaged that the heat exchanger is equipped with heating means such as an electrical resistance.

Furthermore, according to the example illustrated, the heat exchanger according to the invention comprises a passage opening for the draw-off valve. However, the presence of this opening is not strictly necessary for the production of an exchanger according to the invention, insofar as the exchanger defines a receptacle or housing 5 which ensures good containment and protection of a flexible container and which offers a maximum contact and exchange surface with the latter. Thus, the heat exchanger according to the invention could be used for the thermal conditioning of fluid other than food, such as fluids for medical purposes for example.

The invention is not limited to the examples described above because various modifications can be made thereto without departing from its scope.

Claims

1. Heat exchanger for at least one flexible container 55) containing a fluid, characterized in that it comprises a body (10): - which is made of a thermally conductive material,

- which delimits at least one receiving housing (4) for the flexible container (5) whose walls are intended for:

. support the flexible container (5),

. form a heat exchange surface with the contents of the container (5),

- And which comprises means (20) for connection to a heat and / or cold source (7).

2. Heat exchanger according to claim 1, characterized in that the receiving housing (4) comprises: - at least one side wall (1 1),

- a bottom wall (12),

- An opening (13) for introducing the flexible container (5), located in the upper part of the body (10), opposite the bottom wall (12).

3. Heat exchanger according to claim 2, characterized in that the side wall (11) converges towards the bottom wall (12).

4. Heat exchanger according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises a thickness (25) of thermal insulation material partially covering at least the outer surface (23) of the body (10).

5. Heat exchanger according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the connection means (20) comprise a base (21) of the body (10) defining a fixing surface (22) substantially flat intended to receive at least one Peltier effect cell.

6. Heat exchanger according to claims 4 and 5, characterized in that the fixing surface (22) is at least flush with the outer surface (26) of the thickness (25) of thermal insulation material.

7. Heat exchanger according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the body (10) has a cavity (34), located at near the receiving housing (4), for the installation of means (33) for measuring the temperature.

8. Heat exchanger according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the body (15) comprises a transverse opening (15) arranged in a wall (1 1) of the housing (4) and intended for the passage of a withdrawal tap (6) equipping the flexible container (5).

9. Heat exchanger according to claim 8, characterized in that the receiving housing (4) comprises a bottom wall (12) which converges towards the opening (15) for the passage of the withdrawal valve.

10. Device for setting and maintaining the temperature of at least one flexible container (5) containing a fluid, characterized in that it comprises at least one heat exchanger (3) according to one of claims 1 to 9 .

11. Device for setting and maintaining the temperature as well as the distribution of a food fluid conditioned in a flexible container, characterized in that it comprises:

- a supporting frame (2),

- at least one heat exchanger (3) according to claim 8 or 9 which is intended to receive a flexible container containing a food fluid and comprising a withdrawal tap,

- And a source (7) of heat and / or cold connected to the heat exchanger (3).

12. Device according to claim 11, characterized in that the heat (7) of heat and / or cold comprises at least one effect cell

Peltier.

13. Device according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that it comprises a movable cover (40) for accessing the housing (1) for receiving (4) of the heat exchanger (3).

14. Device according to claim 13, characterized in that the cover (40) is placed in the upper part of the device.

15. Device according to one of claims 1 1 to 14, characterized in that the supporting frame (2) is adapted so that no part of the device is placed directly above the opening (15) of the exchanger (3) intended for the passage of the withdrawal tap (6) of the container (5), or vertical to the region (47) located in front of the opening (15) and intended to receive the withdrawal tap (6).

16. Device according to one of claims 1 1 to 14, characterized in that it comprises a flexible container (5) comprising a tap.

17. Application of a device according to one of claims 10 to 16 to the distribution of drinking or mineral water packaged in a flexible container.

18. Process for conditioning drinking or mineral water, characterized in that it consists in particular in:

- use as a packaging container a flexible container (5) comprising withdrawal means (6),

- fill the flexible container with drinking or mineral water, - seal the filled flexible container.

19. A packaging method according to claim 18, characterized in that it further comprises placing the flexible container (5) filled in a substantially rigid protective packaging.