WO2014183185A1

WO2014183185A1 - Self contained vending machine employing expendable refrigerant and geothermal-based heat extraction

Info

Publication number: WO2014183185A1
Application number: PCT/CA2013/000477
Authority: WO
Inventors: Leonid Rubin; George Rubin; Benjamin DUEPERTHAL
Original assignee: Pacific Surf Partners Corp.
Priority date: 2013-05-13
Filing date: 2013-05-13
Publication date: 2014-11-20

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for providing a self-contained vending machine employing an expendable refrigerant and geothermal based heat extraction are described. A first cooling chamber is cooled by a geothermal-based heat extraction system and provides a cool environment for storage of beverage liquid and a source of liquid CO_2. Liquid CO₂ is converted into gas form and is used to cool a second cooling chamber located inside the first cooling chamber. Beverage liquid is dispensed to a pre-dispensing container inside the second cooling chamber before being transferred to a portable container for consumption. Inert pressurized gas or the liquid CO₂ may be used to propel the beverage liquid through a heat exchanger in the second cooling chamber prior to the beverage liquid entering the pre-dispensing container. Methods and apparatus for dispensing a frozen consumable product employing a similar first cooling chamber and a similar geothermal-based heat extraction method include a second cooling chamber kept at a temperature below the freezing point of flavoring liquid by admission of liquid CO₂ into the second cooling chamber. The liquid CO₂ is also used to eject a container containing the frozen consumable product when the flavoring liquid has been frozen to a desired temperature.

Description

SELF CONTAINED VENDING MACHINE EMPLOYING EXPENDABLE REFRIGERANT AND GEOTHERMAL-BASED HEAT EXTRACTION

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

This invention relates to vending machines and methods of vending carbonated beverages and frozen consumable products and more particularly to vending machines and methods of vending carbonated beverages and frozen consumable products employing an expendable refrigerant and geothermal- based heat extraction methods and apparatus.

2. Description of Related Art

Vending products through vending machines is a multi-billion dollar industry. Vending machines are typically used to dispense items such as snacks, beverages, alcohol, cigarettes, lottery tickets, consumer products and even gold and gems to customers automatically, after the customer inserts money or provides a credit card to be charged for use of the machine. Typical vending machine for cold products generally include a housing, a conventional closed loop refrigeration system, a compartment for product storage, and robust, simple systems for product handling and vending to customers after payment. Such machines may also include ventilation, lighting, and payment equipment.

The power requirements of vending machines used to dispense hot and/or cold products are generally more onerous than the power requirements of ambient temperature product vending machines because heating and cooling of products while stored in the machine (for example - ice cream in case of cooling and coffee in case of heating) and/or during a preparation stage require higher levels of energy consumption to meet the more extreme temperature requirements than those of vending machines that vend room temperature products. In addition, vending machines equipped with cooling functions are usually placed in locations with higher ambient temperature (beaches) whereas vending machines for hot products are often located at colder locations (ski hills). This can result in even greater energy demands because the difference in temperature between the ambient temperature and the desired temperature of the vended product are greater. Therefore, a typical vending machine for cold drink vending needs to be connected to an electric power supply capable of supplying at least 600W of electric power.

US patent 4,979647 entitled "METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR COOLING AND DISPENSING BEVERAGE" to Hassell, describes a beverage cooling and dispenser apparatus comprising a refrigerator cabinet having a cold air cooling chamber, a reservoir with a pre-mixed beverage in the chamber, an outlet from the reservoir to a dispensing valve, and a thermally conductive precooler in the cold air chamber. The precooler has an inlet, a n outlet, a passageway having substantial restriction to beverage flow therethrough, and an external surface area of at least a magnitude greater than the volume of the passageway. A beverage pressure regulator is disposed on the upstream end of the inlet to maintain a constant pressure at the inlet. A beverage is cooled and dispensed by storing a supply of previously precooled beverage in a storage reservoir, dispensing servings of cold beverage from the reservoir, replenishing the reservoir with new beverage at an incoming flow rate substantially less than the dispensing flow rate by restricting the incoming flow to a trickle and running the trickle flow through a precooler, while cooling both the reservoir and the precooler and the beverage therein. While the apparatus appears to provide for a relatively high dispensing capacity and palatable beverage quality it is not applicable for dispensing non- premixed beverages. In addition the apparatus appears to require a conventional refrigerator portion that consumes a relatively high amount of electrical energy from a power grid and would not appear to be operable as a self-container machine. This type of vending machine has substantial electric energy consumption requirements that can generally only be met by taking electrical power from an electric utility company through an electric power grid. Unfortunately this requirement constrains the placement of such vending machines. The requirement for a significant amount of electrical power restricts placement of vending machines to locations with either existing electrical power connections or locations where electrical power infrastructure can be easily and economically established.

US 6,505,758 B2 entitled "CARBONATED BEVERAGE DISPENSER" to Black et al. describes an apparatus for dispensing carbonated beverages including a housing, a refrigerator, an ice bin, a carbonator unit, a cylinder with CO₂ compressed gas, at least one syrup container and a cold plate. The ice bin is disposed within the housing for storing ice and is surrounded by thermal insulation. The carbonator is disposed within the housing adjacent the ice bin and receives tap water and CO₂ gas to form carbonated water. The cold plate is chilled by the ice in the ice bin and has pre-chilling coils for cooling the water to be supplied to the carbonator and has post-chilling coils for cooling the carbonated water flowing from the carbonator. When the water supply system, CO₂ supply system and syrup supply system are appropriately connected to dispensing apparatus, and the ice bin is filled with ice, the apparatus is ready for operation. A water pump supplies water through a supply line through a pre- chilling section of t h e cooling plate to the carbonator. Concurrently, CO₂ gas is supplied through to the carbonator which forms carbonated water. Carbonated water then flows from the carbonator through the post-chill coils of the cooling plate and out the dispensing head. At the same time, the appropriate beverage syrup is pumped to the dispensing head, mixed with the carbonated water and dispensed into a cup. As the carbonator exhausts its contents, it refills with chilled water and pressurized CO₂ gas. The mixed carbonated beverage is dispensed at the desired chilled temperature and at an appropriate carbonation level. While it appears this apparatus provides a high dispensing capacity of non-premixed beverages and suitable palatable quality it requires the use of a conventional refrigerator that consumes high amount of electric energy from the grid and thus cannot operate as a self-contained vending machine.

US 2011/0074334 A1 entitled "Power-Saving Solar Power Supply System for Automatic Vending Machine" WANG et al describes that it is possible to decrease the annual energy consumption of a vending machine by 34% by using certain power-saving systems and by employing photovoltaic modules and an energy storage battery. Although the described system appears to provide annual energy savings there is still a need to provide sufficient electrical power for the operation of a compressor and the area at the top of the vending machine is too small to provide enough space to supply sufficient electric power from photovoltaic modules thus making such a vending machine unsuitable for operation as a stand-alone device.

SUMMARY

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of vending a cold beverage. The method involves storing a source of beverage liquid, and a source of liquid C0₂ in a first thermally insulated cooling chamber, cooling the first thermally insulated cooling chamber using a geothermal-based heat extractor, and propelling the beverage liquid through a heat exchanger located in a second thermally insulated cooling chamber inside the first thermally insulated cooling chamber, using a source of pressurized gas. The method further involves cooling the second cooling chamber using the source of liquid CO2 from the source of liquid CO2, and transferring at least some cooled beverage liquid from the heat exchanger to a pre-dispensing container located inside the second cooling chamber and for transferring at least some of the cooled beverage liquid from the pre-dispensing container to a portable container located outside the first and second cooling chambers, for consumption.

Using the geothermal-based heat extractor may involve transferring heat energy from the first cooling chamber to a portion of the earth.

Transferring heat energy from the first cooling chamber to a portion of the earth may involve transferring heat energy from a portion of the first cooling chamber above the surface of the earth to a portion of the first cooling chamber below the surface of the earth.

Using the geothermal-based heat extractor may involve drawing heat energy from the first cooling chamber with a heat pipe.

Drawing heat energy from the first cooling chamber to a portion of the earth may involve causing a first portion of the heat pipe in the first cooling chamber to transfer the heat energy to a second portion of the heat pipe extending into the earth.

Propelling the beverage liquid may involve causing pressurized gas from a source of pressurized gas to pressurize the beverage liquid to move the beverage liquid through the heat exchanger.

The source of pressurized gas may include a pressurized source of nitrogen, argon or compressed air.

The source of pressurized gas may include the source of liquid CO2 and wherein the pressurized gas includes the gaseous CO2 produced from the liquid CO2. Cooling the second cooling chamber using the source of liquid C0₂ may involve admitting at least some of the pressurized liquid C0₂ into the second cooling chamber and allowing the pressurized liquid CO₂ to transform into gaseous C0₂ in the second cooling chamber such that the gaseous CO2 draws heat energy from the heat exchanger and cools the beverage liquid in the heat exchanger.

The method may involve releasing at least some of the gaseous C0₂ in the second cooling chamber, into the first cooling chamber to reduce pressure in the second cooling chamber and to assist cooling the first cooling chamber.

Transferring at least some cooled beverage liquid from the heat exchanger to the portable container may involve causing cooled the beverage liquid from the heat exchanger and at least some of the pressurized liquid C0₂ from the source of pressurized liquid C0₂ to be mixed together in the pre-dispensing container to produce a cooled carbonated beverage mixture and transferring at least some of the cooled carbonated beverage mixture from the pre-dispensing container to the portable container. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus for vending a cold beverage. The apparatus includes a first thermally insulated cooling chamber, a second thermally insulated cooling chamber inside the first cooling chamber, and a source of beverage liquid, and a source of liquid C0₂ in the first thermally insulated cooling chamber. The apparatus further includes a geothermal-based heat extractor operably configured to cool the first thermally insulated cooling chamber, provisions for cooling the second thermally insulated cooling chamber using the source of liquid CO2, and a heat exchanger inside the second cooling chamber. The apparatus further includes provisions for propelling beverage liquid from the source of beverage liquid through the heat exchanger using a source of pressurized gas, a pre-dispensing container located inside the second cooling chamber, and provisions for transferring beverage liquid in the heat exchanger to a pre-dispensing container located inside the second cooling chamber and for transferring at least some of the cooled beverage liquid from the pre-dispensing container to a container located outside the first and second cooling chambers, for consumption.

The geothermal based heat extractor may include provisions for transferring heat energy from the first cooling chamber to the earth. The geothermal-based heat extractor may include a first portion of the first cooling chamber extending above the surface of the earth and a second portion of the first cooling chamber extending beneath the surface of the earth.

The geothermal-based heat extractor may include a heat pipe having a first portion in the first cooling chamber and a second portion extending into the earth.

The provisions for propelling the beverage liquid may include provisions for causing pressurized gas from a source of pressurized gas to pressurize the beverage liquid to move the beverage liquid through the heat exchanger.

The source of pressurized gas may include a pressurized source of nitrogen, argon or compressed air in the first cooling chamber. The source of pressurized gas may include the source of liquid CO2 and wherein the pressurized gas includes the gaseous CO2 produced from the liquid C0₂.

Cooling the second cooling chamber using the source of liquid CO2 may include provisions for admitting at least some of the pressurized liquid CO2 from the source of liquid CO2 into the second cooling chamber to cause the pressurized liquid CO₂ to transform into gaseous C0₂ in the second cooling chamber such that the gaseous CO2 draws heat energy from the heat exchanger and cools the beverage liquid in the heat exchanger. The apparatus may include provisions for releasing at least some of the gaseous

C0₂ in the second cooling chamber, into the first cooling chamber to reduce pressure in the second cooling chamber and to assist cooling the first cooling chamber. The provisions for transferring may include provisions for conducting cooled the beverage liquid from the heat exchanger to the pre-dispensing container and provisions for conducting at least some of the pressurized liquid CO2 from the source of pressurized liquid CO2 to the pre-dispensing container to produce a cooled carbonated beverage mixture of the beverage liquid and gaseous C0₂ produced from the liquid C0₂, in the pre-dispenser, and provisions for transferring at least some of the cooled carbonated beverage mixture from the pre-dispensing container to the portable container.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus for vending a cold, beverage. The apparatus includes a first thermally insulated cooling chamber, a second thermally insulated cooling chamber inside the first cooling chamber, and a source of beverage liquid, and a source of liquid C0₂ in the first thermally insulated cooling chamber. The apparatus further includes a geothermal-based heat extractor operably configured to cool the first thermally insulated cooling chamber, a liquid C0₂ distribution system operably configured to admit liquid C0₂ from the source of liquid C0₂ into the second cooling chamber to allow the liquid C0₂ to transform into the gas phase in the second cooling chamber to hereby cool the second cooling chamber; and a heat exchanger inside the second cooling chamber. The apparatus further includes a liquid beverage liquid distribution system powered by a source of pressurized gas and operably configured to propel the beverage liquid from the source of beverage liquid through the heat exchanger, and a pre-dispensing container inside the second cooling chamber. The apparatus further includes a beverage liquid transferring system for transferring beverage liquid in the heat exchanger to a pre-dispensing container located inside the second cooling chamber and for transferring at least some of the cooled beverage liquid from the pre-dispensing container to a container located outside the first and second cooling chambers, for consumption.

The geothermal based heat extractor may include provisions for transferring heat energy from the first cooling chamber to the earth.

The geothermal-based heat extractor may include a first portion of the first cooling chamber extending above the surface of the earth and a second portion of the first cooling chamber extending beneath the surface of the earth.

The beverage liquid distribution system may be operably configured to cause pressurized gas from a source of pressurized gas to pressurize the beverage liquid to propel the beverage liquid through the heat exchanger.

The source of pressurized gas may include a source of pressurized nitrogen, argon or compressed air in the first cooling chamber.

The source of pressurized gas may include the source of liquid CO₂ and wherein the pressurized gas includes the gaseous C0₂ produced from the liquid CO2. The apparatus further includes a valve operably configured to release at least some of the gaseous C0₂ in the second cooling chamber, into the first cooling chamber to reduce pressure in the second cooling chamber and to assist cooling the first cooling chamber.

The beverage liquid transferring system and the liquid C0₂ distribution system may be operably configured to admit cooled the beverage liquid from the heat exchanger in to the pre-dispensing container and to admit at least some of the pressurized liquid CO2 from the source of pressurized liquid CO2 into the pre- dispensing container to produce a cooled carbonated beverage mixture in the pre-dispensing container and wherein the beverage liquid transferring system includes at least one conduit for transferring at least some of the cooled carbonated beverage mixture from the pre-dispensing container to the portable container.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of vending a frozen consumable product. The method may involve storing a source of pressurized liquid CO2 and storing a source of flavoring liquid, in a first thermally insulated cooling chamber, the source of flavoring liquid comprising a plurality of containers containing a generally common quantity of the flavoring liquid, cooling the first cooling chamber using a geothermal-based heat extractor, cooling a second cooling chamber using the source of pressurized liquid C0₂, and causing at least one of the containers to be received in a holder in thermal communication with the second cooling chamber such that sufficient heat energy is drawn from the flavoring liquid in the at least one of the containers into the second cooling chamber to cause the flavoring liquid in the at least one of the containers to freeze such that the at least one of the containers contains a volume of frozen flavoring. The method further involves ejecting the at least one of the containers containing the volume of frozen flavoring liquid from the holder, for receipt by a consumer of the frozen consumable product. Using the geothermal-based heat extractor may involve transferring heat energy from the first cooling chamber to a portion of the earth.

Cooling the second cooling chamber may involve admitting the pressurized liquid C0₂ into the second thermally insulated cooling chamber located in the first cooling chamber whereby the pressurized liquid C0₂ transforms into gaseous C0₂, the gaseous CO₂ cooling the second cooling chamber to a temperature lower than a freezing point of the flavoring liquid.

The method may involve releasing at least some of the gaseous CO2 in the second chamber into the first chamber.

The method may involve spraying a quantity of the liquid gaseous C0₂ onto the at least one of the containers received in the holder. The method may involve using the pressurized liquid CO₂ to eject the at least one of the containers from the holder.

Using the CO2 to eject may involve using the pressurized liquid CO₂ to actuate an ejection mechanism for ejecting the at least one of the containers into a receiving area.

The method may involve releasing the gaseous CO2 from the second cooling chamber into the first cooling chamber through the ejection mechanism.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus for vending a frozen consumable product. The apparatus includes a first thermally insulated cooling chamber, a second thermally insulated cooling chamber inside the first cooling chamber, and a source of pressurized liquid CO2 and a source of flavoring liquid comprising a plurality of containers containing a generally common quantity of the flavoring liquid in the first cooling chamber. The apparatus further includes a geothermal-based heat extractor operably configured to cool the first thermally insulated cooling chamber, and provisions for cooling the second cooling chamber using the source of liquid C0₂. The apparatus further includes a holder in thermal communication with the second cooling chamber, for holding at the least one of the containers containing the generally common quantity of the flavoring liquid while sufficient heat energy is transferred from the flavoring liquid in the at least one of the containers to the second cooling chamber to cause the flavoring liquid in the at least one of the containers to freeze such that the at least one of the containers contains a volume of frozen flavoring, and an ejection mechanism operably configured to eject the at least one of the containers containing the volume of frozen flavoring liquid from the holder, for receipt by a consumer of the frozen consumable product. The geothermal based heat extractor may include provisions for transferring heat energy from the first cooling chamber to the earth.

Provisions for cooling the second cooling chamber using the source of liquid CO2 may include provisions for admitting at least some of the pressurized liquid C0₂ into the second cooling chamber to cool the second cooling chamber to a predefined temperature lower than the freezing point of the flavoring liquid.

The apparatus may include provisions for releasing at least some of the gaseous CO2 in the second cooling chamber into the first cooling chamber.

The apparatus may include a sprayer operably configured to spray a quantity of the pressurized liquid C0₂ onto the at least one of the containers received in the holder.

The ejection mechanism may be powered by the pressurized liquid C0₂ to eject the at least one of the containers from the holder into a receiving area.

The ejection mechanism may be operably configured to release the pressurized liquid C0₂ from the second cooling chamber into the first cooling chamber. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus for vending a frozen consumable product. The apparatus includes a first thermally insulated cooling chamber, a second thermally insulated cooling chamber inside the first cooling chamber, and a source of pressurized liquid C0₂ and a source of flavoring liquid comprising a plurality of containers containing a generally common quantity of the flavoring liquid in the first cooling chamber. The apparatus further includes a geothermal-based heat extractor operably configured to cool the first thermally insulated cooling chamber, and a liquid C0₂ distribution system operably configured to admit liquid C0₂ from the source of liquid C0₂ into the second cooling chamber to allow the liquid C0₂ to transform into the gaseous C0₂ phase in the second cooling chamber to thereby cool the second cooling chamber. The apparatus further includes a holder in thermal communication with the second cooling chamber, for holding at least one of the containers containing the generally common quantity of the flavoring liquid while sufficient heat energy is transferred from the flavoring liquid in the at least one of the containers into the gaseous C0₂ in the second cooling chamber to cause the flavoring liquid in the at least one of the containers to freeze such that the at least one of the containers contains a volume of frozen flavoring, and an ejection mechanism operably configured to eject the at least one of the containers containing the volume of frozen flavoring liquid from the holder, for receipt by a consumer of the frozen consumable product.

The geothermal-based heat extractor may include provisions for transferring heat energy from the first cooling chamber to the earth. The geothermal-based heat extractor may include a heat pipe having a first portion in the first cooling chamber and a second portion extending into the earth. The liquid CO₂ distribution system may be operably configured to admit sufficient pressurized liquid C0₂ into the second cooling chamber to cool the second cooling chamber to a pre-defined temperature lower than the freezing point of the flavoring liquid. The apparatus may include a valve operably configured to release at least some of the gaseous C0₂ in the second cooling chamber into the first cooling chamber.

The ejection mechanism may be powered by the pressurized liquid C0₂ to eject the at least one of the containers from the holder into a receiving area. The ejection mechanism may be operably configured to release the pressurized liquid C0₂ from the second cooling chamber into the first cooling chamber.

Other aspects and features of the present invention will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of specific embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying figures.

The present invention provides an alternative to the above-described vending machines in that it provides a cost-effective stand-alone self-contained cold product vending machine that can operate completely independently of electric utility power. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In drawings which illustrate embodiments of the invention,

Figure 1 is a schematic oblique view of a vending machine according to a first embodiment;

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the apparatus of Figure 1 taken along lines 2-2 in Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a controller circuit of the apparatus shown in Figure 1 ;

Figure 4 is a schematic oblique view of a vending machine according to a second embodiment;

Figure 5 is a cross sectional view of a container holding flavoring liquid for use by the apparatus shown in Figure 4;

Figure 6 is an oblique view of a rack holding a plurality of containers of the type shown in Figure 5, for use in the apparatus shown in Figure 4;

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the apparatus of Figure 4 taken along lines 7-7 in Figure 4;

Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of a controller circuit of the apparatus shown in Figure 4. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to Figure 1 , an apparatus for vending a cold beverage, according to a first embodiment of the invention is shown generally at 10. The apparatus includes a first thermally insulated cooling chamber 12 which, in the embodiment shown, has the shape of a hollow rectangular parallelepiped having an interior

14 defined by six walls, only three of which are shown at 16, 18 and 20 in Figure 1. In the embodiment shown the first cooling chamber 12 has a width 22, a depth 24 and a height 26. The width 22 may be from about 0.5m to about 1 m, the depth 24 may be from 0.5m to about 1 m and the height 26 may be from about 2m to about 3m. In the embodiment shown, an exposed portion 28 such as an upper 2m of the first cooling chamber 12 is disposed above-ground and a buried portion 30, such as the lower 1 m of the first cooling chamber 12 is optionally positioned beneath the surface 32 of the earth 34 to help facilitate cooling of the first cooling chamber. The greater the amount of the first cooling chamber 12 that is positioned beneath the surface 32 of the earth 34, the better the cooling effect. Alternatively, the entire first cooling chamber can be placed entirely above ground.

Referring to Figure 2, the walls of the first cooling chamber 12 may include a structural element such as an outer structural member 36 such as Teflon-coated aluminum for protection from the surrounding medium and insulation 38 such as Styrofoam® for providing insulation from heat transfer to particularly impede heat transfer in a direction from the surrounding medium to the interior 14 of the first cooling chamber 12. Interior cladding 40 may be provided on interior facing surfaces of the Styrofoam insulation 38 to protect such surfaces from damage during servicing or replenishment of supplies, for example. The thickness of the Styrofoam may be from about 1 cm to about 8cm, for example. The outer structural members 36 on each of the walls may be welded together to form a gas-tight enclosure, and/or the interior cladding 40 may be welded together or sealed in such a way as to form a gas-tight enclosure. The interior cladding 40 may be formed of a unitary plastic box, for example. Referring back to Figure 1 , the first cooling chamber 12 is provided with an access door 42 large enough to permit maintenance and replacement of the components inside while providing sufficient sealing to make the first cooling chamber generally gas-tight when the access door is closed.

Referring back to Figure 2, the apparatus 10 further includes a geothermal- based heat extractor shown generally at 50 operably configured for cooling the first cooling chamber 12, a source 51 of pressurized gas such as nitrogen, argon, or compressed air, a source 52 of pressurized liquid C0₂ and a source 54 of beverage liquid, in the first cooling chamber. A second thermally insulated cooling chamber 56 is located inside the first cooling chamber 12. A liquid CO2 distribution system 57 comprising chemically stable and low temperature stable conduits and valves is made from anodized aluminum or a polymer such as Teflon® for example, operably configured to admit pressurized liquid CO₂ from the source 52 of pressurized liquid CO2 into the second cooling chamber 56 whereupon the pressurized liquid C0₂ transforms into gaseous CO2 and cools the second cooling chamber 56. A heat exchanger 58 is located inside the second cooling chamber 56. The apparatus 10 further includes a beverage liquid distribution system 88 powered by the source 51 of pressurized gas and operably configured to propel the beverage liquid from the source 54 of beverage liquid through the heat exchanger 58 to permit the heat exchanger to extract heat energy from the beverage liquid and thereby cool the beverage.

A pre-dispensing container 60 is also located inside the second cooling chamber 56. The apparatus further includes a beverage liquid transfer system shown generally at 62 for transferring at least some of the cooled beverage mixture from the pre-dispensing container 60 to a portable container 64 located outside the first and second cooling chambers 12 and 56 to facilitate consumption of the cooled beverage mixture.

The geothermal-based heat extractor 50 may include a heat pump such as a ground source heat pump (GSHP) 71 and/or a heat pipe 72, for example for drawing heat energy from the first cooling chamber 12. A plurality of GSHPs and/or heat pipes may be employed, depending on the desired cooling effect. The GSHP system 71 is very energy-efficient for air conditioning because underground temperatures are more stable than air temperatures through the year. Depending on latitude, geographic location and soil thermal conductivity, seasonal ground temperature variations drop off with depth and disappear below 7 meters due to thermal inertia and the temperature of the soil is usually fairly constant at between 8 and 14 degrees Celsius. While the GSHP system 71 may be suitable in some applications, to reduce the amount of electrical energy consumption that would otherwise be required to power a GSHP, the heat pipe 72 may be more preferable in applications where electrical energy consumption must be kept to a minimum. Heat pipes have extremely effective thermal conductivities that range from

5,000 W/rn-K to 200,000W/nvK which is up to one hundred times higher than the thermal conductivity of copper, graphite or diamond (http://www.thermacore.com/thermal-basics/heat-pipe-technoloqy.aspx).

The heat pipe 72 has a first portion 74 disposed inside the first cooling chamber 12 and second portion 76 disposed to extend into the earth 34. Disposing the second portion 76 into the earth 34 may involve burying the second portion 76 in sane, solid soil, rock or other solid geological formation or it may involve submerging said portion 76 in a liquid medium such as in water, for example.

The heat pipe 72 operates on a principle that a difference in partial pressures that occurs due to differences in temperature between the first and second portions 74 and 76 of the interior of a sealed elongated housing drives cooling medium vapor carrying heat energy within the interior of the heat pipe from a first interior portion to a second interior portion. At the second interior portion the vapor condenses releasing heat energy and is then wicked upwardly in liquid form by capillary action along a suitable wicking material or grooves on inside walls of the heat pipe housing and extending from the second interior portion to the first interior portion. As the liquid cooling medium reaches the first interior portion it evaporates by absorbing latent heat energy which is carried in the vapor form of the cooling medium back to the second interior portion by the difference in partial pressure that occurs due to the first interior portion being at a higher temperature than the second interior portion. A suitably sized heat pipe for this application may have an inside diameter about 15mm to about 30mm and a length of about 3m to about 14m wherein the first portion 74 inside the first cooling chamber may have a length sufficient to extend to a point near the top of the first cooling chamber. The second portion 76 extending into the earth may have a length of about 2m to about 11m depending on the geographic location and the type of soil into which it extends. The cooling medium for a heat pipe in this application may include ethanol. A heat pipe of this type may draw about

70kW of heat energy with about a 10°C temperature difference between the first (upper) portion and the second (lower) portion. A geothermal-based heat extractor such as a GSHP, or heat pipe system can be used for cooling the first cooling chamber and cooperates with the cooling effects provided by the release of C0₂ into the first cooling chamber 12 to maintain the temperature of the first cooling chamber 12 at temperatures that are substantially lower than ambient temperatures in many geographic locations. This results in substantially greater economic efficiency due to less consumption of C0₂. For example in the system described C0₂ consumption was reduced by a factor of 2 when a heat pipe was employed. Referring back to Figure 1 , in addition to the heat pump 71 or heat pipe 72, the earth 34 in which the buried portion 30 of the first cooling chamber 12 is positioned may act as a heat sink for cooling the first cooling chamber, i.e. to draw heat from the first cooling chamber into the earth. Thus, the exposed portion 28 of the first cooling chamber 12 extending above the surface of the earth 34 and the buried portion 30 of the first cooling chamber extending beneath the surface of the earth will also provide a geothermal-based cooling effect since heat is transferred from the exposed portion 28 to the buried portion 30 of the first cooling chamber. The source 51 of pressurized gas in the embodiment shown includes at least one typical gas cylinder such as a 22kg, 44kg or 99kg cylinder commonly designated VB/LB, LR/VR, VK/LK respectively, for example, for supplying nitrogen, argon or compressed air. Such cylinders provide gas at a pressure of about 50bar, for example. Each cylinder, only one of which is shown in Figure 2 has an outlet 80 in communication with a pressurized gas distribution system 81 comprising a plurality of conduits and valves, for example. Where more than one pressurized gas cylinder is used, the pressurized gas distribution system may include an inlet manifold (not shown) to which the outlet 80 of each gas cylinder is connected. The source 52 of pressurized liquid C0₂ in the embodiment shown includes at least one typical CO2 gas cylinder such as a 22kg, 44kg or 99kg cylinder commonly designated VB/LB, LR/VR, VK/LK respectively, for example. Such cylinders provide liquid C0₂ at a pressure of about 50bar, for example. Each cylinder, only one of which is shown in Figure 2 has an outlet 83 in communication with the C0₂ distribution system 57. Where more than one C0₂ cylinder is used, the C0₂ distribution system 57 may include an inlet manifold (not shown) to which the outlet 83 of each C0₂ cylinder is connected. As long as the liquid C0₂ is maintained at a pressure of at least 5atm and at a temperature below 35 degrees Celsius, it will remain a liquid phase. Therefore, when any valve is opened to vent the C0₂ distribution system into an area having a pressure less than 5atm, the liquid C0₂ absorbs heat energy and turns into a gas. Carbon dioxide is a particularly good expendable refrigerant. It is stored in liquid form under a pressure of between about 5 to about ^"lOOatm at a temperature of between about -60 degrees Celsius to about -40 degrees Celsius. It is an odourless, colourless, non-flammable, non-corrosive flame extinguishing gas with a slightly pungent acid taste. The latent heat energy required to convert liquid C0₂ into C0₂ vapour requires about 200 kilojoules per kilogram which is collected from the initially warm beverage liquid to be vended, resulting in a cooling of the beverage liquid. It will be appreciated that economics of an open loop refrigeration system of the type described herein strongly depends on amount of expandable refrigerant that is required to cool the product being vended. The cooling capacity of liquid C0₂ cooling decreases with an increase temperature and becomes negligible at +35 degrees Celsius at which point a C0₂ liquid phase does not exist at all. Therefore, depending on the location of the vending apparatus 10 an amount of liquid CO₂ is needed just for cooling the first cooling chamber 12. This amount can be kept small through the use of the heat pipe for cooling and the use of the heat pipe 72 does not require any electrical power for operation, which has an economical advantage and which allows the apparatus to be used in remote locations where no electrical grid power is available.

The source 54 of beverage liquid may include a container 55 holding a non- carbonated beverage such as juice or wine to be dispensed without carbonation.

In this case, the compressed inert gas such as nitrogen, argon or purified air from the source 51 of pressurized gas is used to propel the beverage liquid through the heat exchanger 58 and into the pre-dispensing container 60. The container 55 has an inlet 84 for receiving pressurized gas from the pressurized gas distribution system 81. The pressurized gas is supplied from the pressurized gas distribution system 81 through a gas/C0₂ drive valve 86 which is controlled to ensure the pressure inside the container 55 is maintained at no more than 130psi. The source 54 of beverage liquid may alternatively be a soda syrup container such as a 5 gallon tank capable of a maximum operating pressure of 130psi, for example, containing soda syrup to be carbonated. In this case the source 51 of the pressurized gas can be omitted and instead the liquid CO2 distribution system can be connected to the inlet 84 to use pressurized gaseous C0₂ to propel the beverage liquid through the heat exchanger 58. Since the pressure inside the soda syrup tank is much less than the pressure of the liquid C0₂ received from the CO2 distribution system 57, the liquid CO2 quickly turns into gaseous C0₂ as soon as it is released into the container 55. By maintaining the inside pressure of the soda syrup tank at no more than 130psi, any C0₂ in the tank will always be in gaseous form yet sufficient pressure will be available to drive the beverage liquid out of the tank and into the beverage liquid distribution system 88.

Alternatively, the source 54 of beverage liquid may be a tank containing pre- carbonated beverage liquid, such as beer or a conventional carbonated soda drink. In this case, pressurized liquid CO₂ may still be used to propel the beverage liquid through the beverage fluid distribution system as described above. Gaseous CO₂ may be absorbed by the beverage liquid but such absorption will only occur until a saturation concentration is achieved, which is very near to the concentration of carbonation that already exists in a pre- carbonated beverage such as beer or a conventional carbonated soda drink and therefore the presence of gaseous CO₂ in the source 54 of beverage liquid has little if any effect on the concentration of CO₂ in the pre-carbonated beverage liquid and serves primarily as a propellant to pressurize the beverage liquid to propel it through the beverage liquid distribution system 88 and heat exchanger

58.

In another alternative, the source 54 of beverage liquid may include a Bag-in-Box (BIB) system (not shown) including a bag of beverage liquid and a pump such as a positive displacement, double diaphragm CO₂ powered BIB pump. (E.g. Flojet

Model N5000 available from ITT Industries of Foothill Ranch California USA). Using this type of pump, the liquid CO₂ from the CO₂ distribution system is applied to the pump through a pressure reducing valve which converts the liquid CO₂ into CO₂ gas at a pressure of about 20psi, for example and uses the energy converted by the phase change and pressure of the liquid CO2 to operate diaphragms that mechanically pump the beverage liquid. This type of pump expels gaseous C0₂ after driving the pump, and provides another way of propelling beverage liquid through the heat exchanger 58. The pump is preferably located in the second cooling chamber 56 so as to draw beverage liquid from the source 54 and propel it through the heat exchanger 58 and so that the expelled gaseous CO₂ is released into the second cooling chamber 56 which helps to keep the second cooling chamber cool.

The second cooling chamber 56 is located inside the first cooling chamber 12 and is formed by six walls, only five of which are shown at 90, 92, 94, 96, and 98, that form a rectangular parallepiped. In the embodiment shown the rectangular parallelepiped may have a width 100 of about 0.2m to about 0.5m, a depth 102 of about 0.2 to about 0.5m and a height 104 of about 0.5m to about 1 m, for example. Similar to the description above in connection with the first cooling chamber 12, the walls of the second cooling chamber may include a structural element such as an outer structural member for support, such as Teflon-coated aluminum and insulation such as Styrofoam® for providing insulation from heat transfer to particularly impede heat transfer in a direction from the interior of the first cooling chamber to the interior of the second cooling chamber. Interior cladding may be provided on interior facing surfaces of the Styrofoam to protect such surface from damage during servicing, for example. The thickness of the Styrofoam may be from about 2.5cm to about 5cm, for example. The outer cladding on each of the walls may be welded together to form a gas-tight enclosure, and/or the interior structural members may be welded together or sealed in such a way as to form a gas-tight enclosure. The interior cladding may be formed of a unitary plastic box, for example. The second cooling chamber 56 is provided with an access door (not shown) large enough to permit installation and maintenance of the pre-dispensing container 60 and the heat exchanger 58 and parts of the C0₂ distribution system 57 and beverage liquid distribution system 88 located therein.

The C0₂ distribution system 57 includes a CO2 inlet valve 110 controlled to admit liquid C0₂ into a top portion of the second cooling chamber 56 to maintain the pressure inside the second cooling chamber 56 slightly above standard atmospheric pressure. The second cooling chamber 56 is cooled by admitting pressurized liquid C0₂ from the C0₂ distribution system 57 into the second cooling chamber through the C0₂ inlet valve 110. As will be described below, a control system controls the valves of the C0₂ distribution system 57 to control release of C0₂ into the second cooling chamber 56 to maintain the pressure and temperature inside the second cooling chamber 56 within desired ranges. A second cooling chamber pressure relief valve 116 in communication with the first cooling chamber 12 and the second cooling chamber 56 is provided to release gaseous C0₂ from the second cooling chamber 56 into the first cooling chamber 12 when a gas pressure inside the second cooling chamber 56 meets a criterion. The criterion may be based on pressure and/or temperature inside the second cooling chamber 56 for example. For example, the pressure relief valve 116 may be actuated when the pressure inside the second cooling chamber 56 exceeds a pre-defined value and/or may be actuated when the temperature in the second cooling chamber is below a pre-defined value.

A first cooling chamber pressure relief valve 118 is provided in communication with the first cooling chamber 12 to release accumulated gaseous C0₂ from the first cooling chamber 12 into the ambient air surrounding the exposed portion of the first cooling chamber.

The heat exchanger 58 is located entirely inside the second cooling chamber 56 and has an inlet 120 connected to the beverage liquid distribution system 88 and an outlet 122 that is connected through a beverage liquid out valve 124 to the pre-dispensing container 60. In the embodiment shown, the. heat exchanger 58 is a liquid to air heat exchanger comprising a length of relatively small diameter metal tubing 123 formed into a coil in thermal contact with a plate 125 having a relatively large thermal mass to facilitate fast cooling of beverage liquid in the attached metal tubing 123. The heat exchanger 58 may optionally be included with a fan or fans, but the use of a fan or fans will increase electrical power requirements of the system.

The source 51 of pressurized gas and/or the source 52 of pressurized liquid CO2, and the source 54 of beverage liquid are configured to admit pressurized gas or liquid CO2 into the beverage liquid container 55 or by using the pressurized gas or liquid CO₂ to power a pump (not shown) to pressurize the source of beverage liquid. With the source 54 of beverage liquid pressurized, beverage liquid is driven through the beverage liquid distribution system 88 into and through the heat exchanger 58 to permit the heat exchanger to extract heat energy from the beverage liquid and thereby cool the beverage liquid as the beverage liquid is moved through the heat exchanger. The control system controls the valves of the source of pressurized gas or the liquid C0₂ distribution system 57 and the valves of the beverage liquid distribution system 88 to cause an amount of about 8oz (266ml), for example of beverage liquid, to be dispensed into the pre-dispensing container 60. Where the apparatus is to be used to dispense carbonated beverages, the C0₂ distribution system 57 includes a conduit 112 and a C0₂ dispenser inlet valve 114 that is controlled to admit liquid CO2 into the pre-dispensing container 60 when a request is made for a cold carbonated beverage. In this case, in addition to admitting an amount of beverage liquid into the pre-dispensing container, the control system momentarily opens the C0₂ dispenser inlet valve 114 in communication with the C0₂ distribution system 57 to admit a small amount of liquid C0₂ into the pre- dispensing container to produce about 8oz (266ml) of a carbonated beverage. Since the beverage liquid is cooled by the heat exchanger 58 and since. the liquid

C0₂ is admitted directly into the pre-dispensing container 60 and instantly turns into gas, and since the heat exchanger and the pre-dispensing container and parts of the C0₂ distribution system and beverage liquid distribution system are located inside the second cooling chamber 56, the resulting mixture is cold, preferably about 5 degrees Celsius. At this temperature, the C0₂ in the pre- dispensing container 60 is absorbed into the beverage liquid to a preferred concentration that optimizes the concentration of carbonic acid in the beverage mixture for optimum taste. Thus, a cooled carbonated beverage mixture is formed in the pre-dispensing container 60. The transfer system 62 may include conduits and valves for conveying the beverage liquid from the heat exchanger 58 to the pre-dispensing container 60 to the outlet 134 above the portable container 64. For example, the pre-dispensing container 60 may be positioned above the outlet 134 and a metering valve 130 may simply allow the beverage mixture to flow due to gravity from the pre- dispensing container out the outlet 134 and into the portable container 64. The portable container 64 may be an 8oz paper cup for example. The cooled beverage in the portable container 64 may then be consumed in the usual fashion. Alternatively, the transfer system may include a pump in place or in addition to the valve 130, in communication with the pre-dispensing container 60 for pumping at least some of the cooled beverage mixture into the portable container 64 located outside the first and second cooling chambers 12 and 56. A conduit 132 is connected to the pump or valve 130 and provides the outlet 134 located at a dispenser portion 136 of the apparatus so that the outlet 134 is located directly above the portable container 64 to enable the cooled beverage to be transferred into the portable container 64.

Referring to Figure 3, to facilitate operation of the valves of the pressurized gas distribution system 81 , the C0₂ distribution system 57 and the beverage liquid distribution system 88 to effect cooling and dispensing, the apparatus is provided. with a control system 150 comprising a processor 152, random access memory 154, program memory 156 and an input/output port 158. The input output port includes first and second pressure inputs 160, 162, first and second temperature inputs 164, 166, a user input device input 168, a payment receiver input 170, a gas/C0₂ drive valve output 172, a C0₂ inlet valve output 173, a C0₂ drive valve output 174, a second cooling chamber pressure relief valve output 175, a first cooling chamber pressure relief valve output 176, a beverage liquid out valve output 177 and a transfer output 178. The first and second pressure inputs 160 and 162 are connected to respective pressure sensor circuits (not shown) that produce signals compatible with the input/output port 158 in response to pressure measurements by first and second pressure sensors 184 and 186 located in the first and second cooling chambers 12 and 56 respectively. Similarly, the first and second temperature inputs 164 and 166 are operable to receive temperature signals produced by interface circuitry (not shown) in response to temperature measurements by temperature sensors 188 and 190 located inside the first and second cooling chambers 12 and 56 respectively. Pressure sensors capable of resolving 1/10 kilopascals and 0.5 degrees Celsius are suitable and temperature sensing devices capable of resolving temperature to +/- 0.5 degrees Celsius are suitable.

The user input device input 168 is operable to receive signals from an input device such as shown at 192 in Figure 1 which, in this embodiment, may include a keyboard or lighted push buttons for example, actuable by the user to make a request for a cold beverage. Referring back to Figure 3, the payment receiver input 170 is operable to receive a signal from a payment device such as a coin collector 194 or credit card reader 196 shown in Figure 1. Referring back to Figure 3, the outputs 172 to 177 produce signals operable to control valve control interfaces (not shown) for controlling the gas/C02 drive valve 86, the CO₂ inlet valve 110, the CO₂ dispenser inlet valve 114, the first and second pressure relief valves 118 and 116 and the beverage liquid out valve 124. The transfer output 178 is used to control the pump or valve 130. The input/output port 158 also includes a display output 179 operable to produce signals for receipt by a display interface (not shown) for controlling a display, such as shown at 180 in Figure 1 for providing indications and/or instructions on how to operate the vending machine apparatus to enable a user to make a purchase of a cold beverage to be vended by the machine and also to permit use in conjunction with the input device 192 for receiving user input to request a beverage and to also accept operator input for identifying to the processor configuration data such as first and second high pressure limit references for the first and second cooling chambers 12 and 56 respectively, first and second high temperature references for the first and second cooling chambers respectively, first and second low temperature references for the first and second cooling chambers respectively, the length of a predetermined period of time that the measured temperature can remain at a temperature between the high and low temperature references but higher than the desired temperature of the object, and the desired temperature of the object. The first and second high pressure references may be 102 kilopascals, for example, the first and second high temperature references may be about 20 degrees Celsius, for example, and the low temperature reference may be about -5 degrees Celsius. The desired temperature of the object may be between about 0 degrees Celsius and about +10 degrees Celsius. The predetermined time may be about 3 minutes to about 10 minutes, for example. Other configuration data affecting the operation the vending machine may also be entered through the input device 192.

The input/output port also includes a communications port 183 which in this embodiment is connected to a wireless transceiver 185 to permit the processor 152 to conduct communications with a remote server (not shown) to charge the user for the use of the vending machine apparatus 10 or alternatively, to receive indications of the first and second high pressure limit references, the first and second high temperature references, the first and second low temperature references, the pre-determined period of time and the desired temperature of the beverage mixture. Other data or functional software or software updates executable by the processor may also be received through the wireless transceiver 185, for example.

The input/output port 158 may also have outputs 180 and 182 for controlling lights and sound equipment such as LED lights for illuminating various signage on the first cooling chamber 12 and speakers (not shown), which may be provided on the first cooling chamber in positions in which they can be heard by the user to provide feedback to the user in addition to that provided by the display, for example to indicate erroneous entries or other information that is to be conveyed to the user. Such other information may include advertising, for example.

The program memory 156 is programmed with codes that direct the processor 152 to execute a control program to control the outputs 172 - 179, 187 and 189 to effect vending of a cold beverage and which controls the processor 152 to effect communications as needed through the wireless transceiver.

In particular, the processor 152 is operably configured to:

1) regardless of measured temperature in the second cooling chamber 56, cause the pressure relief valve 116 on the second cooling chamber to be closed unless the measured pressure in the second cooling chamber is above the second high pressure reference in which case the processor causes the pressure relief valve 116 on the second cooling chamber to be opened;

2) when the measured temperature in the second cooling chamber 56 is neither above the second high temperature reference nor below the second low temperature reference, cause the C0₂ inlet valve 110 on the second cooling chamber to be open unless the measured pressure in the second cooling chamber exceeds the second high pressure reference whereupon the processor causes the CO₂ inlet valve 110 on the second cooling chamber to be opened; 3) when the measured temperature in the second cooling chamber 56 is below the second low temperature reference, the processor 152 causes the C0₂ inlet valve 110 on the second cooling chamber to be closed; 4) when the measured temperature in the second cooling chamber is above the second high temperature reference or the measured temperature in the second cooling chamber has remained at a temperature between the high and low references but higher than the desired temperature of the beverage for a predetermined period of time, the processor 152 causes CO2 inlet valve 110 on the second cooling chamber to be opened; and

5) when the measured pressure of the first cooling chamber 12 exceeds the first high pressure reference or when the measure temperature inside the first cooling chamber is below the first low temperature reference, cause the first pressure relief valve 118 to be opened.

With the processor 152 configured in the above manner, the pressure in the second cooling chamber is maintained less than the second high pressure reference and the temperature in the second cooling chamber is maintained within the desired temperature range and more particularly, at or near the desired temperature of the mixed cooled beverage. The desired temperature may ultimately be 5 degrees Celsius, for example. In addition to controlling the valves to carefully control the admission and release of C0₂ into the first and second cooling chambers 12 and 56, the control program also directs the processor 152 to, in response to a request for a carbonated beverage received at the input device 192, cause the beverage liquid out valve 124 to be opened to cause a metered amount of beverage liquid to be dispensed into the pre-dispensing container 60 and where a carbonated beverage is to be dispensed to cause the CO₂ dispenser inlet valve 114 to be opened to admit a metered amount of C0₂ into the pre-dispensing container 60. The beverage liquid in the pre-dispensing container 60 only absorbs as much C0₂ as the beverage liquid will allow due to the chemistry of the beverage liquid and the maximum concentration of C0₂ the beverage liquid can dissolve at the present temperature. It has been found that at temperature of between about 2 to about 5 degrees Celsius provides for an optimum concentration of carbonic acid resulting from the CO2 in the beverage liquid to produce a desirable taste in the beverage liquid. Thus, the temperature of the first and second cooling chambers 12 and 56 and the amount of C0₂ admitted into the pre-dispensing container 60 are set such that the resulting beverage mixture has the appropriate concentration of carbonic acid to achieve the optimum taste for the carbonated beverage to be dispensed. After the non-carbonated beverage or carbonated beverage mixture has been produced in the pre-dispensing container 60 at the right temperature, the control program causes the processor 152 to actuate the pump or valve 130 to transfer the beverage mixture or beverage into the portable container 64 for consumption.

In the background, the control program directs the processor 152 to execute a routine that monitors the pressure of beverage liquid in the source 54 of beverage liquid and opens and closes the gas/C0₂ drive valve 86, as required, to maintain the pressure in the beverage liquid container 55 at a suitable operating pressure for the beverage liquid distribution system 88. This suitable pressure will be under the maximum working pressure of the beverage liquid source, i.e. under 130psi in this embodiment. Alternatively, the gas/C0₂ drive valve 86 may be replaced by a pressure reducing valve that automatically maintains the pressure in the beverage liquid source at a suitable working pressure. It will be appreciated that the gas/C0₂ drive valve controls the release of pressurized gas for propelling the beverage liquid through the heat exchanger 58 in the case of dispensing non-carbonated beverage and controls the release of either pressurized gas or liquid C0₂ in the case of dispensing carbonated beverages.

The processor circuit may include additional interfaces and control program may also include routines for controlling those interfaces to collect and transmit data relating to the remaining amount of pressurized air and/or C0₂ and beverage liquid, the condition of the electrical system and any fault or error conditions of importance.

From the foregoing it will be appreciated that the only electrical requirements are those required to operate the control system 150. Such electrical requirements may be satisfied by a rechargeable battery recharged by a renewable energy source such as a solar energy source or a wind energy source, for example, which allows the apparatus to be used in off-electrical grid applications such as in remote locations. Alternatively, of course, the electrical energy requirements can be satisfied by an electrical connection to an electrical grid or by a combination of electrical energy supplied by renewable sources and an electrical grid.

Referring to Figure 4 an apparatus for vending a frozen consumable product according to another embodiment of the invention is shown generally at 200. A frozen consumable product may be similar to a Popsicle® for example, made from a flavoring liquid such as water and juice(s), flavor additives, coloring and/or sugar. The apparatus 200 is intended for use with a source of flavoring liquid comprising a plurality of containers such as shown in Figure 5 at 202 containing a generally common volume 204 of flavoring liquid. For example each container 202 may include a plastic walled container 206 defining a truncated ellipsoid- shaped space for holding the volume 204 of flavoring liquid. A top opening of the container 206 is covered by a base 208 comprising a cover 210 having a top surface 211 and handle 212 that projects outwardly from the cover. The cover 210 seals the liquid in the container, prevents contamination and inhibits spoiling of the flavoring liquid during storage, even at room temperatures. A plurality of such containers may be provided in a rack such as shown at 214 in Figure 6 for example for use with the apparatus 200.

Referring to Figure 7, the apparatus 200 includes the first thermally insulated cooling chamber 12, the geothermal-based heat extractor 50 for cooling the first cooling chamber and a source 52 of pressurized liquid C0₂ as described in connection with Figure 1 above and therefore these components are numbered similarly to correspond to components by the same numbers in Figure 2.

Still referring to Figure 7, the apparatus 200 further includes a second thermally insulated cooling chamber 220 in the first cooling chamber 12. In the embodiment shown, the second cooling chamber 220 is formed by six walls, only five of which are shown at 222, 224, 226, 228, and 230 that form a rectangular parallepiped. In the embodiment shown the rectangular parallelepiped may have an internal width 232 of about 0.2m, an internal depth 234 of about 0.2m and an internal height 236 of about 0.4m, for example. Similar to the description above in connection with the first cooling chamber 12, the walls of the second cooling chamber 220 may include a structural element such as an outer shell 238 such as Teflon coated aluminum and insulation 240 such as Styrofoam® for providing insulation from heat transfer to particularly impede heat transfer in a direction from the interior of the first cooling chamber 12 to the interior of the second cooling chamber 220. Interior cladding 242 may be provided on interior facing surfaces of the Styrofoam® to protect such surfaces from damage during servicing, for example. The thickness of the Styrofoam® may be from about 1cm to about 4cm, for example. Walls 222 and 226 are top and bottom walls respectively and walls 224 and 228 are first and second side walls respectively. The top wall 222 is formed to have at least one receptacle 250 generally complementary to the truncated ellipsoid shape of the plastic containers 202 that acts as a holder for holding at least one of the containers 202 therein. The complementary shape ensures tight contact between the plastic walled container 206 and the surface of the top wall 222 defining the receptacle 250, to provide for efficient thermal energy transfer from the container 206 to the receptacle 250. The top wall 222 may also have a thickened portion 223 surrounding the receptacle to provide a large mass to further provide cooling efficiency. A top opening 252 in communication with the interior of the second cooling chamber 220 is provided in the top wall 222 at a lower portion of the receptacle 250 and a corresponding coaxial bottom opening 254 is provided in the bottom wall 226 of the second cooling chamber. A rod 260 is positioned to extend through the top and bottom openings 252 and 254 and is connected to a gas-operated piston 262 received in a cylinder 264 and biased toward a bottom wall 266 of the cylinder by a spring 268. In a rest position, the piston 262 is located at or very near the bottom wall 266 of the cylinder 264 and a distal end surface 270 of the rod 260 is coplanar with the surfaces of the receptacle 250 that surround the top opening 252 in the top wall 222 of the second cooling chamber 220 so as not to project through that opening into the receptacle to allow the container 202 to be fully received and held in the receptacle 250.

The cylinder 264 has a piston valve 280 and a piston return valve 282. The piston valve 280 is connected to a liquid C0₂ distribution system 284 employing chemically and low temperature stable conduits and is selectively operable to admit some liquid C0₂ into the cylinder 264 to selectively quickly pressurize the cylinder to raise the piston 262 and hence raise the rod 260 to eject the container 202 from the receptacle 250 into a receiving area 286 accessible by a user of the apparatus. The rod 260, piston 262 and cylinder 264 and associated valves 280 and 282 act as an ejection mechanism to eject the container 202 from the receptacle 250 after the contents have been frozen as described below. The container containing the volume of frozen flavoring liquid is ejected from the holder, into the receiving area 286 for receipt by a consumer of the frozen consumable product.

The receiving area 286 is defined by a housing 287 extending laterally into the first cooling chamber 12 and having an opening 289 disposed directly above the receptacle 250 and large enough to receive an ejected container 202 therethrough. A door 291 is hingedly connected to the housing 287 and is connected to a door actuator 293 that selectively rotates the door to selectively open and close the opening 289. The door 291 and door actuator 293 are configured such that in an open position as shown in solid outline in which an ejected container is admitted through the opening, the door has a lower surface 295 that is disposed at an angle such that the ejected container is deflected by the lower surface 295 away from the opening 289 into a position in which it is accessible by the user.

The liquid CO₂ distribution system 284 is also in communication with an inlet valve 290 in communication with the second cooling chamber 220 to admit some liquid C0₂ directly into the second cooling chamber for cooling the second cooling chamber. The top and bottom openings 252 and 254 in the top and bottom walls 222, 226 of the second cooling chamber 220 are not sealed against the rod 260 and thus allow gaseous C0₂ in the second cooling chamber 220 to escape into the first cooling chamber 12, thereby contributing to cooling the first cooling chamber 12 and thus preventing excessive pressure in the second cooling chamber 220. The top and bottom openings 252 and 254 thus release at least some of the gaseous CO2 in the second cooling chamber 220 into the first cooling chamber 12 and the ejection mechanism may be considered to be operably configured to release pressurized gaseous C0₂ from the second cooling chamber 220 into the first cooling chamber 12.

The first cooling chamber 12 has the same pressure relief valve 118 as described in connection with the first embodiment for venting the first cooling chamber to control the temperature and pressure inside the first cooling chamber.

Sufficient pressurized liquid C0₂ is admitted into the second cooling chamber 220 to cool the second cooling chamber to a pre-defined temperature lower than a freezing point of the flavoring liquid.

The liquid CO2 distribution system 284 further includes a spray nozzle 292 disposed adjacent the top surface 211 of a container 202 held in the receptacle 250 for spraying liquid C0₂ onto the top surface 211 of the container 202 to provide a cooling effect to such surface and expedite freezing of the flavoring liquid held in the container 202. Liquid CO₂ is dispensed through the spray nozzle 292 by actuation of a sprayer valve 294 connecting the spray nozzle to the liquid CO2 distribution system.

Referring to Figures 7 and 8 a control system 300 is provided to control the valves 280, 290, 294 that supply liquid C0₂ to the second cooling chamber 220, the piston 262 and to the spray nozzle 292 and to control the piston return valve 282 for releasing pressurized gaseous C0₂ to from the cylinder into the first cooling chamber and to control the first pressure relief valve 118. In the embodiment shown the control system is implemented by a processor circuit, as shown in Figure 8.

Referring to Figure 8, the control system 300 comprises a processor 302, random access memory 304, program memory 306 and an input/output (I/O) port 308. The input/output port 308 includes first and second pressure inputs 310, 312, first, second and third temperature inputs 314, 316, 317 a user device input 318, a payment receiver input 320, piston valve output 322, a piston return valve output 324, a second cooling chamber CO₂ inlet valve output 326, a sprayer valve output 328, a door solenoid output 330, a first cooling chamber pressure relief valve output 332, and a container placement output 334.

The first and second pressure inputs 310 and 312 are connected to respective pressure sensor circuits (not shown) that produce signals compatible with the input/output port 308 in response to pressure measurements by first and second pressure sensors 336 and 338 located in the first and second cooling chambers 12 and 220 respectively. Similarly, the first and second temperature inputs 314 and 316 are operable to receive temperature signals produced by interface circuitry (not shown) in response to temperature measurements by temperature sensors 340 and 342 located inside the first and second cooling chambers 12 and 220 respectively. The third temperature input 317 is operably to receive a temperature signal produced by interface circuitry (not shown) in response to temperature measurements by a temperature sensor 343 operably configured to measure a temperature of the container 202 in the receptacle 250 shown in Figure 7. Pressure sensors capable of resolving 1/10 of a kilopascal and 0.5 degrees Celsius are suitable and temperature sensing devices capable of resolving temperature to +/- 0.5 degrees Celsius are suitable.

The user device input 318 is operable to receive signals from an input device such as shown at 344 in Figure 4 which, in this embodiment, may include a keyboard or lighted push buttons for example, actuable by the user to make a request for a frozen consumable product. Referring back to Figure 8, the payment receiver input 320 is operable to receive a signal from a payment device such as a coin receiver 346 or credit card reader 348 shown in Figure 4. Referring back to Figure 8, the outputs 322 - 332 produce signals operable to control valve control interfaces (not shown) for controlling the piston valve 280 and the second cooling chamber C0₂ inlet valve 290, the sprayer valve 294, the piston return valve 282, the door actuator 293 and the first cooling chamber pressure relief valve 118. The container placement output 334 produces signals that operate a mechanism (not shown) for causing a container 202 to be taken from the rack 214 and placed into the receptacle 250 whenever suitable input is received at the user device input 318. The input/output port 308 also includes a display output 350 operable to produce signals for receipt by a display interface (not shown) for controlling a display, such as shown at 352 in Figure 4 for providing indications and/or instructions on how to operate the vending machine apparatus to enable a user to make a purchase of a frozen consumable product to be vended by the machine and also to permit use in conjunction with the input device 344 for receiving user input to request a frozen consumable product and to also accept operator input for identifying to the processor configuration data such as first and second high pressure limit references for the first and second cooling chambers 12 and 220 respectively, first and second high temperature references for the first and second cooling chambers respectively, first and second low temperature references for the first and second cooling chambers respectively, the length of a predetermined period of time that the measured temperature can remain at a temperature between the high and low temperature references but higher than the desired temperature of the frozen treat, and the desired temperature of the frozen consumable product. The first and second high pressure references may each be about 102 kilopascals, for example, the first and second high temperature references may be about 5 degrees Celsius, for example, and the low temperature reference may be about -5 degrees Celsius. The desired temperature of the frozen consumable product may be between about -5 degrees Celsius and about -1 degrees Celsius. The predetermined time may be about 3 minutes to about 10 minutes, for example. Other configuration data affecting the operation the vending machine may also be entered through the input device 344.

The input/output port 308 also includes a communications port 354 which in this embodiment, is connected to a wireless transceiver 356 to permit the processor

302 to conduct communications with a remote server (not shown) to charge the user for the use of the vending machine apparatus 200 or alternatively, to receive indications of the first and second high pressure limit references, the first and second high temperature references, the first and second low temperature references, the pre-determined period of time and the desired temperature of the beverage mixture. Other data or functional software or software updates executable by the processor 302 may also be received through the wireless transceiver 356, for example. The input/output port 308 may also have outputs 358 and 360 for controlling lights and sound equipment such as LED lights (not shown) for illuminating various signage on the first cooling chamber 12 and speakers (not shown), which may be provided on the first cooling chamber in positions in which they can be heard by the user to provide feedback to the user in addition to that provided by the display, for example to indicate erroneous entries or other information that is to be conveyed to the user. Such other information may include advertising, for example.

The program memory 306 is programmed with codes that direct the processor 302 to execute a control program to control the outputs 322 - 334, 350, 354, 358 and 360 to effect vending of a frozen consumable product and to control the valve control outputs 326 and 332 to maintain suitable temperatures and pressures in the first and second cooling chambers 12 and 220 and to control the processor 302 to effect communications, as needed, through the wireless transceiver. The control program directs the processor 302 to cause the I/O port 308 to communicate with the user input device 344, display 352, coin receiver 346 and/or credit card reader 348 to generate a request for a container of frozen consumable product in response to user input. This may include credit card processing routines that direct the processor 302 port to execute communications routines that cause the I/O port 308 to use the wireless transceiver 356 to obtain credit card authorization. The resulting request for a container of frozen consumable product may be manifest as invoking a dispensing routine or by setting flag in the random access memory, for example, to indicate that a request has been made.

In response to a request, the control program directs the processor 302 to communicate with the I/O port 308 to cause a container placement mechanism controlled by the control program to place a container 202 from the rack 214 into the receptacle 250 in the top surface of the second cooling chamber 220. For example, the rack 214 shown in Figure 6 may be disposed on an incline adjacent the receptacle 250 and first and second pneumatically or electrically actuated gates 215 and 217 in the path of the containers in the rack may be employed to release one container 202 at a time from the rack 214 into the receptacle 250.

A dispensing cycle executed by the first and second gates 215 and 217 begins with the first gate 215 being be held down in the position shown in solid outline while the second gate 217 is raised to the position shown in broken outline to release one container 202 while the first gate holds back all of the other containers in the rack. This one container 202 falls under gravity into the receptacle 250. After the one container 202 has been released into the receptacle, the second gate 217 is lowered into the position shown in solid outline and then the first gate 215 is raised to permit all of the other containers in the rack 214 to move downwardly until the next lowest container rests on the second gate 217. The first gate 215 is then lowered and the cycle is ready to be repeated the next time a request is made to vend a frozen consumable product.

Referring back to Figures 7 and 8, after a container 202 has been received in the receptacle 250, the control program causes the processor 302 to communicate with the I/O port 308 to cause the CO₂ inlet valve 290 to be actuated to admit a small amount of liquid CO₂ into the second cooling chamber 220 to start cooling the container 202. Then, the control program causes the processor 302 to communicate with the I/O port 308 to cause the sprayer valve 294 to be actuated to spray a small amount of liquid CO₂ toward the top surface 211 of the container

202 in the receptacle 250. The time for which the sprayer valve is kept open is pre-calibrated to ensure that just the right amount of CO₂ is provided in order to cause the upper portion of the flavoring liquid to be frozen.

In addition, the container 202 is kept in the receptacle 250 for period of time sufficient to enable the cooled top portion of the second cooling chamber 220 to draw enough heat from the container 202 to cause the liquid inside the container to freeze. The processor 302 can be calibrated to wait for this sufficient period of time or the processor can be programmed to determine that the liquid flavoring has been completely frozen when a pre-determined temperature is measured by the third temperature sensor 343. When it has been determined that the liquid flavoring has been sufficiently frozen the processor 302 communicates with the I/O port 308 to cause the piston valve 280 to be actuated to quickly drive the piston 262 and rod 260 upwardly to eject the container 202 upwardly from the receptacle 250. Just prior to actuating the piston valve 280 the processor 302 communicates with the I/O port 308 to cause the door actuator 293 to be actuated to open the door 291 and orient it at a suitable angle at so that it will deflect the upwardly ejected container 202 into the receiving area 286 for access by the purchaser. After the container has been ejected, the processor 302 communicates with the I/O port 308 to cause the door actuator 293 and the piston valve 280 to be de- energized to close the door 291 and end the admission of CO₂ into the cylinder 264 and then the processor 302 communicates with the I/O port 308 to cause the piston return valve 282 to be opened to release the pressurized CO₂ from the cylinder 264, whereupon the spring 268 returns the piston 262 and hence the rod 260 back to its rest position in which the distal surface 270 of the rod is coplanar with the top opening 252 to permit another container 202 to be placed in the receptacle 250 from the rack 214. The processor 302 then communicates with the I/O port 308 to cause the piston return valve 282 to be de-energized and the system is ready to receive from a purchaser a new request for another container of frozen consumable product.

In the background, the control program directs the processor 302 to affect temperature and pressure control, according to the following criteria:

1 ) when the measured temperature in the first cooling chamber 12 is neither above the first high temperature reference nor below the first low temperature reference, cause the inlet valve 290 on the second cooling chamber to be open unless the measured pressure in the first cooling chamber exceeds the first high pressure reference whereupon the processor causes the inlet valve 290 on the second cooling chamber to be closed;

2) when the measured temperature in the second cooling chamber 220 is below the second low temperature reference, the processor 302 causes the inlet valve 290 on the second cooling chamber to be closed;

3) when the measured temperature in the second cooling chamber 220 is above the second high temperature reference or the measured temperature in the second cooling chamber has remained at a temperature between the second high and low references but higher than the desired temperature of the frozen treat for a predetermined period of time, the processor 302 causes the inlet valve 290 on the second cooling chamber to be opened; and

4) when the measured pressure of the first cooling chamber 12 exceeds the first high pressure reference or when the measure temperature inside the first cooling chamber is below the first low temperature reference, cause the first pressure relief valve 118 to be opened.

With the processor 302 configured in the above manner, the pressure in the second cooling chamber 220 is maintained less than the second high pressure reference and the temperature of the second cooling chamber is maintained within the desired temperature range and more particularly, at or near the desired temperature of the frozen consumable product. The desired temperature may ultimately be about -5 to about -1 degrees Celsius, for example.

While the above description is suitable for vending one container of consumable product at a time, a plurality of racks of the type shown in Figure 6 each holding a plurality of containers holding respective flavors of flavoring liquid can be positioned around the top surface of the second cooing chamber and suitable container placement provisions can be provided to selectively take a container from a rack containing a container holding flavoring liquid of a flavor selected by the user.

Alternatively, or in addition a plurality of receptacles of the type shown at 250 can be formed in the top surface of the second cooling chamber to enable more than one container at a time to be subjected to the cooling effects of the second cooling chamber and to thereby allow more than one container to be vended at a time.

The above embodiments describe apparatuses having a first cooling chamber, a heat pipe and a source of C0₂ in common. In particular the first cooling chamber is the same in both embodiments and can accommodate a second cooing chamber of the type shown in the first embodiment for dispensing a cooled liquid beverage or can accommodate a second cooling chamber of the type shown in the second embodiment for dispensing a frozen product. More than one of each type of second cooling chamber can be incorporated into a single cooling chamber of the first type to provide for a greater variety of cooled beverages or a greater variety of frozen consumable products to be vended. In addition, or alternatively both types of second cooling chambers could be employed in a first cooling chamber of the design shown to enable both liquid and frozen products to be vended and multiple ones of each type of second cooling chamber can be provided to enable a large variety of cooled and frozen consumable products to be vended.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated, such embodiments should be considered illustrative of the invention only and not as limiting the invention as construed in accordance with the accompanying claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A method of vending a cold beverage, the method comprising: storing a source of beverage liquid, and a source of liquid CO₂ in a first thermally insulated cooling chamber; cooling the first thermally insulated cooling chamber using a geothermal-based heat extractor; propelling said beverage liquid through a heat exchanger located in a second thermally insulated cooling chamber inside said first thermally insulated cooling chamber, using a source of pressurized gas; cooling said second cooling chamber using said source of liquid CO2 from said source of liquid C0₂; and transferring at least some cooled beverage liquid from said heat exchanger to a pre-dispensing container located inside said second cooling chamber and for transferring at least some of said cooled beverage liquid from said pre-dispensing container to a portable container located outside said first and second cooling chambers, for consumption.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein using said geothermal-based heat extractor comprises transferring heat energy from said first cooling chamber to a portion of the earth.

The method of claim 1 or 2 wherein transferring heat energy from said first cooling chamber to a portion of the earth comprises transferring heat energy from a portion of said first cooling chamber above the surface of the earth to a portion of said first cooling chamber below the surface of the earth.

The method of claim 1 or 2 wherein using said geothermal-based heat extractor comprises drawing heat energy from said first cooling chamber with a heat pipe.

The method of claim 4 wherein drawing heat energy from said first cooling chamber to a portion of the earth comprises causing a first portion of said heat pipe in said first cooling chamber to transfer said heat energy to a second portion of said heat pipe extending into the earth.

The method of any one of claims 1 - 5 wherein propelling said beverage liquid comprises causing pressurized gas from a source of pressurized gas to pressurize said beverage liquid to move said beverage liquid through said heat exchanger.

The method of any one of claims 1 - 6 wherein said source of pressurized gas includes a pressurized source of nitrogen, argon or compressed air.

The method of any one of claims 1 - 6 wherein said source of pressurized gas includes said source of liquid CO₂ and wherein said pressurized gas includes said gaseous C0₂ produced from said liquid C0₂.

The method of any one of claims 1 - 8 wherein cooling said second cooling chamber using said source of liquid CO₂ comprises admitting at least some of said pressurized liquid CO₂ into said second cooling chamber and allowing said pressurized liquid CO₂ to transform into gaseous C0₂ in said second cooling chamber such that said gaseous CO2 draws heat energy from said heat exchanger and cools said beverage liquid in said heat exchanger.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising releasing at least some of said gaseous C0₂ in said second cooling chamber, into said first cooling chamber to reduce pressure in said second cooling chamber and to assist cooling said first cooling chamber.

11. The method of any one of claims 1 - 10 wherein transferring at least some cooled beverage liquid from said heat exchanger to the portable container comprises causing cooled said beverage liquid from said heat exchanger and at least some of said pressurized liquid CO₂ from said source of pressurized liquid C0₂ to be mixed together in the pre-dispensing container to produce a cooled carbonated beverage mixture and transferring at least some of said cooled carbonated beverage mixture from said pre-dispensing container to said portable container.

12. An apparatus for vending a cold beverage, the apparatus comprising: a first thermally insulated cooling chamber; a second thermally insulated cooling chamber inside said first cooling chamber; a source of beverage liquid, and a source of liquid C0₂ in said first thermally insulated cooling chamber; a geothermal-based heat extractor operably configured to cool said first thermally insulated cooling chamber; means for cooling said second thermally insulated cooling chamber using said source of liquid C0₂; a heat exchanger inside said second cooling chamber; means for propelling beverage liquid from said source of beverage liquid through said heat exchanger using a source of pressurized gas; a pre-dispensing container located inside said second cooling chamber; and means for transferring beverage liquid in said heat exchanger to a pre-dispensing container located inside said second cooling chamber and for transferring at least some of said cooled beverage liquid from said pre-dispensing container to a container located outside said first and second cooling chambers, for consumption.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said geothermal-based heat extractor comprises means for transferring heat energy from said first cooling chamber to the earth.

14. The apparatus of claim 12 or 13 wherein said geothermal-based heat extractor comprises a first portion of said first cooling chamber extending above the surface of the earth and a second portion of said first cooling chamber extending beneath the surface of the earth.

15. The apparatus of any one of claims 12 - 14 wherein said geothermal- based heat extractor comprises a heat pipe having a first portion in said first cooling chamber and a second portion extending into the earth.

16. The apparatus of any one of claims 12 - 15 wherein said means for propelling said beverage liquid comprises means for causing pressurized gas from a source of pressurized gas to pressurize said beverage liquid to move said beverage liquid through said heat exchanger.

17. The apparatus of any one of claims 12 - 16 wherein the source of pressurized gas includes a pressurized source of nitrogen, argon or compressed air in said first cooling chamber.

18. The apparatus of any one of claims 12 - 16 wherein said source of pressurized gas includes said source of liquid C0₂ and wherein said pressurized gas includes said gaseous C0₂ produced from said liquid C0₂.

19. The apparatus of any one of claims 12 - 18 wherein cooling said second cooling chamber using said source of liquid C0₂ comprises means for admitting at least some of said pressurized liquid C0₂ from said source of liquid C0₂ into said second cooling chamber to cause said pressurized liquid C0₂ to transform into gaseous C0₂ in said second cooling chamber such that said gaseous C0₂ draws heat energy from said heat exchanger and cools said beverage liquid in said heat exchanger.

20. The apparatus of claim 19 further comprising means for releasing at least some of said gaseous C0₂ in said second cooling chamber, into said first cooling chamber to reduce pressure in said second cooling chamber and to assist cooling said first cooling chamber.

The apparatus of any one of claims 12 - 20 wherein said means for transferring comprises means for conducting cooled said beverage liquid from said heat exchanger to said pre-dispensing container and means for conducting at least some of said pressurized liquid C0₂ from said source of pressurized liquid C0₂ to said pre-dispensing container to produce a cooled carbonated beverage mixture of said beverage liquid and gaseous C0₂ produced from said liquid CO₂, in said pre-dispenser, and means for transferring at least some of said cooled carbonated beverage mixture from said pre-dispensing container to said portable container.

An apparatus for vending a cold beverage, the apparatus comprising: a first thermally insulated cooling chamber; a second thermally insulated cooling chamber inside said first cooling chamber; a source of beverage liquid, and a source of liquid C0₂ in said first thermally insulated cooling chamber; a geothermal-based heat extractor operably configured to cool the first thermally insulated cooling chamber; a liquid C0₂ distribution system operably configured to admit liquid C0₂ from said source of liquid C0₂ into said second cooling chamber to allow said liquid C0₂ to transform into the gas phase in said second cooling chamber to hereby cool said second cooling chamber; a heat exchanger inside said second cooling chamber; a liquid beverage liquid distribution system powered by a source of pressurized gas and operably configured to propel said beverage liquid from said source of beverage liquid through said heat exchanger; a pre-dispensing container inside said second cooling chamber; and a beverage liquid transferring system for transferring beverage liquid in said heat exchanger to a pre-dispensing container located inside said second cooling chamber and for transferring at least some of said cooled beverage liquid from said pre-dispensing container to a container located outside said first and second cooling chambers, for consumption.

The apparatus of claim 22 wherein said geothermal-based heat extractor comprises means for transferring heat energy from said first cooling chamber to the earth.

24. The apparatus of claim 22 or 23 wherein said geothermal-based heat extractor comprises a first portion of said first cooling chamber extending above the surface of the earth and a second portion of said first cooling chamber extending beneath the surface of the earth.

25. The apparatus of any one of claims 22 - 24 wherein said geothermal- based heat extractor comprises a heat pipe having a first portion in said first cooling chamber and a second portion extending into the earth.

The apparatus of any one of claims 22 - 25 wherein said beverage liquid distribution system is operably configured to cause pressurized gas from a source of pressurized gas to pressurize said beverage liquid to propel said beverage liquid through said heat exchanger.

The apparatus of claim 26 wherein the source of pressurized gas includes a source of pressurized nitrogen, argon or compressed air in said first cooling chamber.

The apparatus of claim 26 wherein said source of pressurized gas includes said source of liquid CO2 and wherein said pressurized gas includes said gaseous C0₂ produced from said liquid CO2.

The apparatus of any one of claims 22 - 28 further comprising a valve operably configured to release at least some of said gaseous C0₂ in said second cooling chamber, into said first cooling chamber to reduce pressure in said second cooling chamber and to assist cooling said first cooling chamber.

The apparatus of any one of claims 22 - 29 wherein said beverage liquid transferring system and said liquid CO₂ distribution system are operably configured to admit cooled said beverage liquid from said heat exchanger in to said pre-dispensing container and to admit at least some of said pressurized liquid CO₂ from said source of pressurized liquid C0₂ into said pre-dispensing container to produce a cooled carbonated beverage mixture in said pre-dispensing container and wherein said beverage liquid transferring system includes at least one conduit for transferring at least some of said cooled carbonated beverage mixture from said pre-dispensing container to said portable container.

A method of vending a frozen consumable product, the method comprising: storing a source of pressurized liquid C0₂ and storing a source of flavoring liquid, in a first thermally insulated cooling chamber, said source of flavoring liquid comprising a plurality of containers containing a generally common quantity of said flavoring liquid; cooling said first cooling chamber using a geothermal-based heat extractor; cooling a second cooling chamber using said source of pressurized liquid CO2; causing at least one of said containers to be received in a holder in thermal communication with said second cooling chamber such that sufficient heat energy is drawn from said flavoring liquid in said at least one of said containers into said second cooling chamber to cause said flavoring liquid in said at least one of said containers to freeze such that said at least one of said containers contains a volume of frozen flavoring; ejecting said at least one of said containers containing said volume of frozen flavoring liquid from said holder, for receipt by a consumer of said frozen consumable product.

32. The method of claim 31 wherein using a geothermal-based heat extractor comprises drawing heat from the first cooling chamber using a heat pipe.

The method of claim 31 or 32 wherein using said geothermal-based heat extractor comprises transferring heat energy from said first cooling chamber to a portion of the earth.

34. The method of any one of claims 31 to 33 wherein transferring heat energy from said first cooling chamber to a portion of the earth comprises transferring heat energy from a portion of said first cooling chamber above the surface of the earth to a portion of said first cooling chamber below the surface of the earth.

35. The method of any one of claims 31 to 34 wherein transferring heat energy from the first cooling chamber to a portion of the earth comprises causing a first portion of said heat pipe in said first cooling chamber to transfer said heat energy to a second portion of said heat pipe extending into the earth.

36. The method of any one of claims 31 - 35 wherein cooling said second cooling chamber comprises admitting said pressurized liquid C0₂ into said second thermally insulated cooling chamber located in said first cooling chamber whereby said pressurized liquid C0₂ transforms into gaseous

C0_2j said gaseous C0₂ cooling said second cooling chamber to a temperature lower than a freezing point of said flavoring liquid.

37. The method of claim 36 further comprising releasing at least some of said gaseous C0₂ in said second chamber into said first chamber.

38. The method of any one of claims 31 - 37 further comprising spraying a quantity of said liquid gaseous C0₂ onto said at least one of said containers received in said holder.

39. The method of any one of claims 31 - 38 further comprising using said pressurized liquid C0₂ to eject said at least one of said containers from said holder.

40. The method of claim 39 wherein using said CO2 to eject comprises using said pressurized liquid CO₂ to actuate an ejection mechanism for ejecting said at least one of said containers into a receiving area.

41. The method of claim 40 further comprising releasing said gaseous C0₂ from said second cooling chamber into said first cooling chamber through said ejection mechanism.

42. An apparatus for vending a frozen consumable product, the apparatus comprising: a first thermally insulated cooling chamber; a second thermally insulated cooling chamber inside said first cooling chamber; a source of pressurized liquid CO₂ and a source of flavoring liquid comprising a plurality of containers containing a generally common quantity of said flavoring liquid in said first cooling chamber; a geothermal-based heat extractor operably configured to cool said first thermally insulated cooling chamber; means for cooling said second cooling chamber using said source of liquid CO2; a holder in thermal communication with said second cooling chamber, for holding at said least one of said containers containing said generally common quantity of said flavoring liquid while sufficient heat energy is transferred from said flavoring liquid in said at least one of said containers to said second cooling chamber to cause said flavoring liquid in said at least one of said containers to freeze such that said at least one of said containers contains a volume of frozen flavoring; and an ejection mechanism operably configured to eject said at least one of said containers containing said volume of frozen flavoring liquid from said holder, for receipt by a consumer of said frozen consumable product.

The apparatus of claim 42 wherein said geothermal-based heat extractor comprises a heat pump or heat pipe for drawing heat from the first cooling chamber.

The apparatus of claim 42 or 43 wherein said geothermal-based heat extractor comprises a first portion of the first cooling chamber extending above the surface of the earth and a second portion of the first cooling chamber extending beneath the surface of the earth.

The apparatus of any one of claims 42 to 44 wherein said geothermal- based heat extractor comprises a heat pipe having a first portion in said first cooling chamber and a second portion extending into the earth.

The apparatus of any one of claims 42 - 45 wherein said means for cooling said second cooling chamber using said source of liquid CO2 includes means for admitting at least some of said pressurized liquid CO2 into said second cooling chamber to cool said second cooling chamber to a pre-defined temperature lower than said freezing point of said flavoring liquid.

47. The apparatus of any one of claims 42 - 46 further comprising means for releasing at least some of said gaseous CO₂ in said second cooling chamber into said first cooling chamber.

48. The apparatus of any one of claims 42 - 47 further comprising a sprayer operably configured to spray a quantity of said pressurized liquid C0₂ onto said at least one of said containers received in said holder.

49. The apparatus of any one of claims 42 - 48 wherein said ejection mechanism is powered by said pressurized liquid CO₂ to eject said at least one of said containers from said holder into a receiving area.

50. The apparatus of claim 49 wherein said ejection mechanism is operably configured to release said pressurized liquid CO₂ from said second cooling chamber into said first cooling chamber.

51. An apparatus for vending a frozen consumable product, the apparatus comprising: a first thermally insulated cooling chamber; a second thermally insulated cooling chamber inside said first cooling chamber; a source of pressurized liquid C0₂ and a source of flavoring liquid comprising a plurality of containers containing a generally common quantity of said flavoring liquid in said first cooling chamber; a geothermal-based heat extractor operably configured to cool the first thermally insulated cooling chamber; a liquid C0₂ distribution system operably configured to admit liquid CO2 from said source of liquid C0₂ into said second cooling chamber to allow said liquid C0₂ to transform into the gaseous C0₂ phase in said second cooling chamber to thereby cool said second cooling chamber; a holder in thermal communication with said second cooling chamber, for holding at least one of said containers containing said generally common quantity of said flavoring liquid while sufficient heat energy is transferred from said flavoring liquid in said at least one of said containers into said gaseous C0₂ in said second cooling chamber to cause said flavoring liquid in said at least one of said containers to freeze such that said at least one of said containers contains a volume of frozen flavoring; and an ejection mechanism operably configured to eject said at least one of said containers containing said volume of frozen flavoring liquid from said holder, for receipt by a consumer of said frozen consumable product.

The apparatus of claim 51 wherein said geothermal-based heat extractor comprises a first portion of said first cooling chamber extending above the surface of the earth and a second portion of said first cooling chamber extending beneath the surface of the earth.

The apparatus of claim 51 wherein said geothermal-based heat extractor comprises a means for transferring heat energy from said first cooling chamber to the earth.

The apparatus of any one of claims 51 - 53 wherein said geothermal- based heat extractor comprises a heat pipe having a first portion in said first cooling chamber and a second portion extending into the earth.

The apparatus of any one of claims 51 - 54 wherein said liquid CO₂ distribution system is operably configured to admit sufficient pressurized liquid C0₂ into said second cooling chamber to cool said second cooling chamber to a pre-defined temperature lower than said freezing point of said flavoring liquid.

The apparatus of any one of claims 51 - 55 further comprising a valve operably configured to release at least some of said gaseous C0₂ in said second cooling chamber into said first cooling chamber.

The apparatus of any one of claims 51 - 56 further comprising a sprayer operably configured to spray a quantity of said pressurized liquid C0₂ onto said at least one of said containers received in said holder.

The apparatus of any one of claims 51 - 57 wherein said ejection mechanism is powered by said pressurized liquid CO₂ to eject said at least one of said containers from said holder into a receiving area. The apparatus of claim 58 wherein said ejection mechanism is operably configured to release said pressurized liquid CO₂ from said second cooling chamber into said first cooling chamber.