Classifications

• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
  • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • F25D17/00—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces
  • F25D17/04—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection
  • F25D17/06—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection by forced circulation
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47F—SPECIAL FURNITURE, FITTINGS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR SHOPS, STOREHOUSES, BARS, RESTAURANTS OR THE LIKE; PAYING COUNTERS
  • A47F3/00—Show cases or show cabinets
  • A47F3/04—Show cases or show cabinets air-conditioned, refrigerated
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
  • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • F25D17/00—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces
  • F25D17/04—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection
  • F25D17/06—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection by forced circulation
  • F25D17/08—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection by forced circulation using ducts
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
  • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • F25D3/00—Devices using other cold materials; Devices using cold-storage bodies
  • F25D3/02—Devices using other cold materials; Devices using cold-storage bodies using ice, e.g. ice-boxes
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
  • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • F25D31/00—Other cooling or freezing apparatus
  • F25D31/006—Other cooling or freezing apparatus specially adapted for cooling receptacles, e.g. tanks
  • F25D31/007—Bottles or cans
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
  • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • F25D2317/00—Details or arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Details or arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces, not provided for in other groups of this subclass
  • F25D2317/06—Details or arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Details or arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces, not provided for in other groups of this subclass with forced air circulation
  • F25D2317/065—Details or arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Details or arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces, not provided for in other groups of this subclass with forced air circulation characterised by the air return
  • F25D2317/0651—Details or arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Details or arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces, not provided for in other groups of this subclass with forced air circulation characterised by the air return through the bottom
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
  • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • F25D2317/00—Details or arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Details or arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces, not provided for in other groups of this subclass
  • F25D2317/06—Details or arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Details or arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces, not provided for in other groups of this subclass with forced air circulation
  • F25D2317/066—Details or arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Details or arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces, not provided for in other groups of this subclass with forced air circulation characterised by the air supply
  • F25D2317/0661—Details or arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Details or arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces, not provided for in other groups of this subclass with forced air circulation characterised by the air supply from the bottom
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
  • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • F25D2317/00—Details or arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Details or arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces, not provided for in other groups of this subclass
  • F25D2317/06—Details or arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Details or arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces, not provided for in other groups of this subclass with forced air circulation
  • F25D2317/067—Details or arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Details or arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces, not provided for in other groups of this subclass with forced air circulation characterised by air ducts
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
  • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • F25D2331/00—Details or arrangements of other cooling or freezing apparatus not provided for in other groups of this subclass
  • F25D2331/80—Type of cooled receptacles
  • F25D2331/803—Bottles
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
  • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • F25D2400/00—General features of, or devices for refrigerators, cold rooms, ice-boxes, or for cooling or freezing apparatus not covered by any other subclass
  • F25D2400/10—Refrigerator top-coolers
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
  • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • F25D2500/00—Problems to be solved
  • F25D2500/02—Geometry problems

Definitions

• This disclosure relates generally to a cooling system and method, and more specifically to a cooling system and method having directed air flow.
• Coolers are used in many industries including for use in cooling food and
• Coolers generally take a long time to chill a product inside of the cooler. For example, some coolers can take upwards of 12 to 24 hours to cool the entire contents of a cooler. Additionally, current coolers can be large and inefficient. This inefficiency can be magnified in certain countries where power availability is not continuous and it is available only for a part of the day. In such cases, current coolers cannot provide cold food and beverages to consumers at the point of purchase. A need exists for a quick chilling and energy efficient cooler.
• a cooling system such as for cooling beverage and/or food containers including bottles, cans, tetrapacks, pouches and any other beverage and/or food packaging.
• a cooling system has a cooling chamber including a surface such as a floor and/or sidewalls defining a one or more openings, including a plurality of openings, wherein the surface is configured to hold at least one container.
• the cooling system can include a refrigeration system.
• the refrigeration system can be configured to cool the cooling chamber by forcing cool air through the one or more openings.
• the cooling system is configured to provide a substantially uniform temperature distribution in the cooling chamber.
• the airflow through each of the one or more openings in the cooling system can be substantially similar.
• the one or more openings can be sized, shaped, and/or spaced to provide substantially similar airflow through each of the one or more openings.
• the cooling system can include a cool air duct, wherein the refrigeration system is configured to cool the cooling chamber by forcing cool airflow through the cool air duct
• the cooling system can include one or more baffles, including a plurality of baffles, located in the cool air duct, wherein the baffles are configured to adjust the airflow within the cool air duct.
• the cooling chamber surface or floor including at least a first region with one or more openings having at least a first opening characteristic and a second region with one or more openings having at least a second opening
• a method for cooling a plurality of beverages includes providing a cooling chamber including a surface, which can be a substantially horizontal floor, defining a plurality of openings, wherein the surface is configured to hold at least one container; and providing a refrigeration system.
• the method further includes forcing cool airflow through the one or more openings, wherein the airflow through each of the one or more openings is substantially similar.
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cooling system according to aspects of this disclosure.
• FIG. 2 is a top view of a cooling system according to aspects of this disclosure.
• FIG. 3 is a front view of a cooling system according to aspects of this disclosure.
• FIG. 4 is a left side view of a cooling system according to aspects of this
• FIG. 5 is a right side view of a cooling system according to aspects of this
• FIGS. 6A - 6D are simplified perspective cross-sectional views taken along the plane 6— 6 of FIG. 1 showing various cooling systems examples according to aspects of this disclosure.
• FIG. 6E is a simplified perspective cross-sectional view of a cooling system
• FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 7— 7 of the cooling system of FIG. 3 according to aspects of this disclosure
• FIGS. 8A-8E are top views of exemplary surfaces or floors according to aspects of this disclosure.
• FIG. 8F is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 8F— 8F of the floor of FIG.
• the term "plurality,” as used herein, indicates any number greater than one, either disjunctively or conjunctively, as necessary, up to an infinite number. None in this specification should be construed as requiring a specific three dimensional orientation of structures in order to fall within the scope of this invention. Also, the reader is advised that the attached drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.
• aspects of this invention relate to cooling systems. According to
• the cooling systems may be formed of one or more of a variety of materials, such as metals (including metal alloys), polymers, and composites, and may be formed in one of a variety of configurations, without departing from the scope of the invention. It is understood that the cooling systems may contain components made of several different materials. Additionally, the components may be formed by various forming methods.
• a cooling system 100 according to aspects of this disclosure is shown in at least
• the cooling system 100 generally includes a housing 101, and as will be discussed in more detail below, an internal cooling chamber 200, and a refrigeration system 300.
• the cooling system 100 is configured to cool a plurality of containers including, for example, beverage containers such as soda bottles, water bottles, tetrapacks, beverage cans and other similar beverage and/or food containers including any related packaging. It is understood, however, that the cooling system 100 can be configured to cool other items.
• the cooling system 100 can have a housing 101 having a generally rectangular box shape including a front side 102, a back side 104, a top side 106, a bottom side 108 and two sidewalls 109, 110.
• the cooling system housing 101 can include outer walls 120, 122, 124, 126, 128, as shown for example in FIGS. 1-5.
• the outer walls can be constructed of any suitable materials including, for example, sheet metal, plastics and /or composites.
• the housing 101 can be in the range of about 400 mm to about
• the outer dimensions of the housing can define a volume of, for example, in the range of about 0.14m 3 to about 0.24 in 3 .
• the above dimensions are provided only as an example.
• the housing can be any suitable size and shape.
• the cooling system 100 also includes an access door 1 12 for providing access to one or more interior chambers of the cooling system 100.
• the top side 106 includes an access door 112 hingedly connected to the back side 104 of the housing 101 for providing selective access to one or more interior chambers of the cooling system 100.
• the door 1 12 shown in FIG. 1 is shown connected to the back side 104 using hinges 114, any other system can be used to provide access to the interior of the cooling system 100.
• the door 112 can be slidably connected to portions of the housing 101, and in other embodiments the door 1 12 may not be structurally connected to the housing 101 and may simply be removable.
• the door 112 can form a substantial portion, or in some cases more than 50%, of the top side 106 of the housing.
• the door 1 12 can be larger or smaller or any size suitable to provide access to an interior portion of the cooling system 100.
• the door 112 can also be included on any other surface of the housing 101.
• a door 112 can alternatively be included on the front 102, back 104, or sides 109, 110 of the housing.
• the cooling system 100 may include multiple access doors 112. Such multiple access doors 1 12 may provide multiple ways to access a single internal compartment or may provide access to multiple internal compartments.
• the door 112 can also include a gasket 113 that forms a seal between the door 112 and the remainder of the housing 101 and acts to restrict heat from outside of the cooling system 100 from entering the cooling system 100.
• the gasket can be manufactured of rubber or any other material suitable for forming a seal between the door and the remainder of the cooling system 100.
• the access door 112 and connection mechanisms discussed herein are provided merely as examples, and any suitable access door 112 and/or mechanism to connect the door 112 to the housing 101 can be used.
• the cooling system 100 also includes
• the insulation material 140 can be any suitable material.
• the insulation 140 is a low cost material such as polyurethane foam, but any other suitable materials can be used such as polystyrene foam.
• the door 112 includes insulation material 140 throughout the entire door which may increase the efficiency of the cooling system 100.
• the door may be composed at least partially of glass or other similar material such that a user can see through the door to the interior of the cooling system 100.
• the cooling system 100 includes at least one interior cooling chamber 200.
• the cooling chamber 200 is defined by surfaces such as a top wall 202 (which as shown in FIGS. 6A and 7 can be an interior wall of the door 112), a bottom wall 205, and sidewalls 206, 208, 210, 212.
• the cooling chamber 200 can also include a surface or floor 204 that may be substantially horizontal and may be configured to hold a product to be cooled.
• the surface or floor 204 can include a one or more openings, or a plurality of openings, to permit air flow through the bottom of the cooling chamber 200.
• the surfaces, such as, interior walls 202, 205, 206, 208, 210, 212 of the chamber 200 can be constructed of any suitable material such as sheet metal or plastic.
• the bottom wall 205 may be made at a slight angle relative to the horizontal direction and may be operably associated with a drain 215. Any liquid which falls through the floor 204 to the bottom wall 205 can be forced through gravity towards the drain 215 which can have an outlet on the exterior of the cooling system 100.
• the interior cooling chamber 200 used for cooling a product defined by the top wall 202, sidewalls 206, 208, 210, 212, and the surface or floor 204 in some examples can be in the range of about 200 mm to about 600 mm tall, in the range of about 200 mm to about 600 mm deep, and in the range of about 200 mm to about 600 mm wide.
• the cooling chamber 200 can define a volume of, for example, in the range of about 0.008 m 3 to about 0.22 m 3 .
• the above dimensions of the interior cooling chamber 200 are provided only as an example.
• the cooling chamber 200 discussed herein can be any suitable size and shape.
• the cooling system 100 can include more than one cooling chamber 200.
• the cooling chamber 200 can include multiple cooling chambers 200 each having a separate access door 112.
• each separate cooling chamber 200 can be configured to cool products to the same temperature or different temperatures as the other chambers, and at the same cooling rate or different cooling rate as the other cooling chambers.
• one or more cooling chambers can be shut off such that no cooling air flows to that cooling chamber. In some embodiments, this may increase the overall efficiency of the cooling system.
• the cooling system 100 also includes a refrigeration system 300 used to cool the cooling chamber 200.
• the refrigeration system 300 can be located within the housing 101. In some embodiments the refrigeration system can be separate from the cooling chamber 200 and in other embodiments portions of the refrigeration system 300 can be separate from the cooling chamber 200. In still other embodiments, portions of the refrigeration system 300 can be separate from the housing 101.
• the refrigeration system 300 can be any refrigeration system or cooling engine.
• the cooling system can include a compressor, condenser, and evaporator.
• multiple other refrigeration technologies or refrigeration systems can be used.
• the refrigeration system 300 can include a thermoelectric cooling system.
• the refrigeration system can include magnetic cooling systems.
• the refrigeration system 300 can include any known refrigeration system
• the refrigeration system 300 can include a compressor 302, a condenser 304 and an evaporator 306.
• the evaporator 306 may be replaced with some other cold surface.
• the compressor 302 and condenser 304 as shown in FIG. 6A can be located outside or separate from the cooling chamber 200 and can be located in fluid communication with ambient air outside of the cooling system 100.
• the evaporator 306 can be located outside of the cooling chamber 200 but in fluid communication with cooling chamber 200. In other embodiments, the evaporator 306 can be located within the cooling chamber 200.
• the refrigeration system 300 shown in FIG. 6A, contains a refrigerant, which is usually a fluid.
• the refrigerant can be any material sufficient for use in a refrigeration cycle. This can include materials such as ammonia, sulfur dioxide, and propane.
• the compressor 302 compresses the refrigerant raising the temperature of the refrigerant.
• the refrigerant then generally exits the compressor 302 as a hot, high pressure gas and flows into the condenser 304.
• the condenser 304 can include a condenser fan 310 that can be used to direct air over the condenser 304 and direct warm air 312 out of the cooling system 100.
• the warm air 312 can exit the cooling system housing 101 through a vent 313 in one or more of the outer walls 120, 122, 124, 126, 128, 130 of the housing 101.
• the refrigerant then flows to the evaporator 306 where it can change from a liquid to a gas. This process can reduce the temperature of the refrigerant, thus cooling the evaporator 306.
• the evaporator 306 may include a plurality of coils and/or fins or other heat sink devices that can improve the efficiency of the evaporator 306.
• the refrigeration system 300 can include any suitable
• the evaporator may be replaced with some other cold surface.
• the refrigeration system 300 can also include a fan 308.
• the fan 308 can be upstream of the evaporator as shown in FIG. 6A or down downstream of the evaporator, and is used to draw (or in some embodiments, push) air 314 from the cooling chamber 200 and direct air over the evaporator 306, thus cooling the air 314.
• the fan 308 also directs cool air 318 out of the evaporator 306 and back into the cooling chamber 200.
• warm air rises and cool air sinks thus, most conventional cooler systems introduce cool air from an evaporator or other cold surface near the top of a cooling chamber and intake air to an evaporator or other cold surface through a vent toward the bottom of the cooling chamber. As shown in FIGS.
• the cooling system 100 includes an intake vent 320 positioned in an upper portion of the cooling chamber 200.
• the intake vent 320 can be centered at least in the top 50% of the cooling chamber 200, or at least in the top 33% of the cooling chamber 200, or at least in the top 25% of the cooling chamber 200, or at least in the top 10% of the cooling chamber. In other embodiments, however, the intake vent 320 can be located at any suitable location within the cooling chamber 200. As discussed above, in some embodiments the direction of air flow may be reversed. In such embodiments it is understood that the intake vent 320 acts as an exhaust or discharge vent.
• the intake vent 320 can be a circular opening having a diameter in the range of about 100 mm to about 140 mm. In other embodiments the intake vent 320 can be any other suitable size or shape including square, rectangular shapes, oval and other shapes. In some embodiments, the intake vent 320 can include a screen 321 or other device restricting particles and other objects from accessing the fan 308 from the cooling chamber 200.
• the fan 308 pulls (or in some embodiments, pushes) air 314 through the evaporator (or other cold surface) 306 which cools the air.
• the cool air 318 is then directed through a duct 322.
• the direction of air flow can be reversed.
• the duct 322 can have a substantially vertical section 323 wherein air from the evaporator 306 travels in a substantially vertical downward direction adjacent to the cooling chamber 200, and a substantially horizontal section 324 wherein air from the evaporator 306 travels in a substantially horizontal direction below the cooling chamber 200.
• the substantially vertical portion of the duct 322 can be defined by a rear wall 325, a forward wall 326, and sidewalls 327 and 328.
• the forward wall 326 can be the opposite side of an internal wall 210 of the cooling chamber 200 as shown in FIG. 6.
• the rear wall 325 can include one or more portions that are inclined and not substantially vertical.
• the sidewalls 327 and 328 can define the width of the duct 322. The width may, in some embodiments, be similar to the width of the cooling chamber 200, but in other embodiments the width may be greater than or less than the width of the cooling chamber.
• the substantially horizontal portion 324 of the duct 322 passes under the cooling chamber 200.
• the substantially horizontal portion 324 of the duct 322 can be defined by sidewalls 327, 328, the bottom wall 205 and a bottom side of the floor 204.
• the duct 322 can also include one or more mechanisms to affect the flow of air within the duct 322.
• the duct 322 can include one or more baffles 325.
• the baffles 325 as shown in FIG. 7, are arranged in the direction of air flow and can act to separate the flow of air within the duct 322.
• the baffles are located between the floor 204 and the bottom wall 205; however baffles 325 may be placed at any location within the duct 322.
• the baffles 325 can be constructed of any suitable material such as sheet metal or plastic.
• the duct 322 has a generally rectangular cross- sectional shape. However, in other embodiments, the duct 322 may have other cross- sectional shapes, such as circular. In still other embodiments, there may be, two or more ducts to direct cool airflow from the evaporator 306 to the cooling chamber 200. In still other embodiments, the duct 322 may have any other suitable size, shape, and/or configuration. In some embodiments, for example, the duct 322 may be completely eliminated and cool air 318 may flow directly to the cooling chamber 200 from the refrigeration system 300.
• the surface or floor 204 includes a one or more openings or a plurality of openings 326.
• the openings 326 can be configured such that the airflow from the duct 322, or refrigeration system 300, through each individual opening of the plurality of openings 326 is substantially similar.
• air flow across the entire cross-section of the cooling chamber 200 may be
• the openings 326 and/or floor 204 can be configured such that there is uniform temperature distribution within the cooling chamber 200 which can uniformly cool packages or containers within the cooling chamber 200 to substantially uniform temperatures.
• Substantially equal airflow through each of the openings 326 can be accomplished by varying characteristics of the openings 326 such as the opening size, shape, and spacing arrangement, and through use of the baffles 325 to channel the flow of air within the duct 322.
• the openings 326 can have varying sizes, shapes, and/or locations or spacing arrangements such that the air flow through each of the plurality of openings is substantially similar.
• the openings 326 can be spaced in a grid pattern and each of the openings can be substantially circular in shape.
• a first portion 328 of the plurality of the openings 326 can have a first size, shape, and/or spacing arrangement and a second portion of the openings 330, which is downstream in the direction of air flow of the first portion, can have a second size, shape, and/or spacing arrangement.
• the shape of the openings 326 in the first and second portions 328, 330 can be similar, but in other embodiments the shape of the openings 326 of the first and second portions can be different. As shown in FIG.
• the size of the openings 326 in the first and second portions 328, 330 can be different.
• the openings 326 in the first portion 328 can be smaller than the openings 326 in the second portion 330.
• the first portion of openings 328 can have a diameter of about 16 mm or in the range of about 12 mm to 20 mm and the second portion of openings 330 can have a diameter of about 20 mm or in the range of about 16 mm to about 24 mm.
• the spacing arrangement of the plurality of openings 326 in each of the first and second portions can be similar or can be different.
• the plurality of openings 328 in the first portion may be spaced closer together or further apart than the plurality of openings 330 in the second portion.
• the openings 326 in the surface or floor 204 can have other sizes, shapes, and/or locations that can provide substantially similar air flow through each of the plurality of openings 326.
• these surfaces or floors 204 can be configured such that there is uniform temperature distribution within the cooling chamber 200 which can uniformly cool packages or containers within the cooling chamber 200 to substantially uniform temperatures.
• the plurality of openings can be circular having a different arrangement and different sizes than that shown in FIG. 8 A.
• the plurality of openings can have different shapes, sizes, and configurations.
• the plurality of openings can be square or rectangular shaped, and as shown, for example in FIG. 8D, the plurality of openings 324 can be hexagonal shaped. Any other suitable shapes can be used including, for example, triangular openings, and octagonal openings.
• any suitable spacing arrangement and sized openings 326 can be used.
• the floor 204 can have a thickness greater than that shown in, for example, FIG. 6A.
• the floor 204 can include a packed bed.
• the packed bed can be composed of any suitable material such that air 318 can flow through the packed bed. Similar to the floors 204 discussed above, the packed bed includes openings 326 through which air 318 from the refrigeration system 300 can flow. Cool air flow 318 through the packed bed can be uniform and can result in uniform temperature distribution within the cooling chamber 200.
• the plurality of openings 326 can be adjustable. Adjustable openings may be used to adjust the cooling system 200 depending on the type and/or size of item to be cooled. For example soda cans may be cooled more efficiently with a floor 204 having openings 326 which are smaller and/or more closely spaced together than a floor 204 used for soda bottles.
• the floor 204 may be removably engaged within the
• the floor opening configuration may be adjustable within the cooling system 100.
• the floor 204 may be comprised of a first piece and a second piece that are slidably engaged with each piece having a plurality of openings. In such a configuration movement of one of the floor pieces can open, close, enlarge, or decrease the size of the plurality of openings 326 through which air can pass. The opening partem can thus be adjusted to provide the most efficient air flow possible.
• the adjustment of the floor openings 326 can be manual or automatic. For example, in a manual arrangement, a user can manually slide one of the first and second floor pieces.
• the cooling system 100 may include one or more sensors to that can determine the optimum floor arrangement and adjust the floor to the optimum floor arrangement.
• cooling system 100, cooling chamber 200, and refrigeration system 300 can be any suitable size and shape, and as discussed above the refrigeration system 300 can be any refrigeration system or cooling engine capable of providing cooling air flow to the cooling chamber 200.
• the refrigeration system 300 includes a compressor, condenser, and evaporator.
• FIGS. 6B-6E Other embodiments of the cooling system 100 are schematically shown in FIGS. 6B-6E.
• the refrigeration system 300 can be any system suitable for providing cooling air flow 318 to the cooling chamber 200.
• the refrigeration system 300 can be a compressor based cooling system as shown in FIG. 6A.
• the refrigeration system 300 can be any other suitable refrigeration systems including thermoelectric cooling systems and magnetic cooling systems.
• cooling airflow 318 can exit the refrigeration system 300 and enter the cooling chamber 200 in an upper portion of the cooling chamber 200. The cooling air 318 can then flow in a generally downward direction through the openings 326 in the floor 204 and return to the refrigeration system 300.
• the cooling system 100 can include one or more openings or a plurality of openings 326 in one or more surfaces including sidewalls 206, 208, 210, 212 through which cool air flow 318 from the refrigeration system 300 can flow.
• cool airflow 318 through the openings 326 in the floor 204 and openings 326 in the sidewalls 206, 208, 210, 212 may be substantially similar which can allow for uniform temperature distribution in the cooling chamber 200.
• cool airflow 318 through the one or more openings 326 in the at least one sidewall can be substantially similar which can allow for uniform temperature distribution in the cooling chamber 200.
• the cooling system 100 can have any other suitable size and/or configuration.
• the cooling chamber 200 can, for example, be located above the refrigeration system 300. Cool air 318 from the refrigeration system 300 can flow upwards or downwards through the floor 204 and return to the refrigeration system through an inlet in the cooling chamber 200.
• the cooling system 100 can also include a temperature sensor 402 (not shown), for measuring temperature inside the cooling system 100.
• the refrigeration system 300 can be controlled based on the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 402. For example, the refrigeration system 300 can turn on when the temperature sensor 402 senses a temperature that is too high and turn off when the temperature sensor 402 senses that a set point temperature has been reached.
• the set point temperature may be in a range of about 10 °C to about 0 °C. Automatic control of the refrigeration system 300 using a temperature sensor 402 can, in some embodiments, improve the efficiency of the cooling system.
• the cooling system 100 can include a logo or other design on one or more of the outer walls 120, 122, 124, 126, 128.
• the logo or other design can include one or more lights, such as, a light-emitting diode (LED).
• the lights or LEDs can surround a logo or other design. The lights or LEDs may be turned on or off and in some embodiments may flash in particular patterns. For example, in one embodiment the lights or LEDs may surround the logo or other design and may be turned on for a first period of time, blink for a second period of time, and certain portions may be turned on while certain portions are turned off during a third period of time.
• the first period of time may be about 15 seconds or in the range of about 10 to 30 seconds
• the second period of time may be about 15 seconds or in the range of about 10 to 30 seconds
• the third period of time may be about 15 seconds or in the range of about 10 to 30 seconds. This sequence can be repeated. Additionally, in other embodiments, the first period of time, second period of time, and third period of time may occur in any order.
• Cooling systems 100 as described herein provide several advantages.
• a cooling system as described herein can significantly reduce the time to cool a product within the cooling system 100.
• cooling systems as described herein can cool beverage bottles from a range of about 50 °C to 30 °C to a range of about 10 °C to 0 °C in about 3 to 6 hours.
• cooling systems 100 as described herein can cool products at least five times faster than other cooling systems.
• cooler systems introduce cool air from an evaporator or other cold surface toward the top of a cooling chamber and intake air to an evaporator or other cold surface through a vent toward the bottom of the cooling chamber.
• Cooling systems described herein intake air to an evaporator or other cold surface from a top portion of the cooling chamber 200 and force cool air through the floor 204 of the cooling chamber. Forcing cool air to move from the bottom to the top of the cooling chamber, against its natural flow, can increase the contact time the cool air has with a product within the cooling chamber 200 and can increase the cooling efficiency of the cooling system 100.
• Cooling systems 100 as discussed herein can reduce the amount of time required to cool a product by at least 15%, or at least 20%, or at least 25% compared to a cooling system that introduces cool air in an upper portion of a cooling chamber.
• the direction of airflow can be reversed such that cool air enters through a vent in the cooling chamber and is pushed out of the floor of the cooling chamber.
• cooling systems described herein can retain the temperature within the cooling chamber after the refrigeration system is turned off better than current cooling systems.
• the cooling system 100 may warm at substantially lower rate compared to a normal cooler.
• the cooling systems described herein may warm the product only to 10 °C to 15 °C after six hours without turning on the refrigeration system.
• portions of the cooling chamber 200 can include a phase change material.
• phase materials are known including salt hydrates, fatty acids, esters, paraffins, and ionic liquids. Phase change materials are generally encapsulated within a pouch, bag, or similar enclosure. When the refrigeration system 300 is active the phase change material can be allowed to cool and/or freeze.
• the phase change material can help to retain the cool temperature within the cooling system 100 by absorbing heat as the phase change material changes from a solid to a liquid.
• the phase change material can be incorporated into any portion of the cooling chamber including into the top wall 202, bottom wall 205, sidewalls 206, 208, 210, 212, and/or floor 204.
• Use of a phase change material in the cooling chamber 200 may increase the ability of the cooling system 100 to retain a cool temperature without use of the refrigeration system 300.
• the cooling systems as described herein can reduce operating costs for the same amount of product throughput very significantly compared to existing cooling systems by reducing the electricity usage of the cooling system. Additionally, because of its simplified structure and operation, the cooling system 100 is less expensive to fabricate, operate and maintain.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
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• Thermal Sciences (AREA)
• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Devices That Are Associated With Refrigeration Equipment (AREA)
• Cold Air Circulating Systems And Constructional Details In Refrigerators (AREA)

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• 2016
  • 2016-03-17 CA CA2978666A patent/CA2978666C/en active Active
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  • 2016-03-17 RU RU2017135575A patent/RU2721856C2/ru active
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• 2018
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