Patent Application
20210156611
The present disclosure relates to containers for storing and dispensing liquids. Specifically, the present disclosure relates to an apparatus for cooling the liquid stored in the container.
People often consume beverages for variety of reasons. For instance, the beverages are consumed to satisfy thirst, refreshment, enhance performance and so on. The beverages may include alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages. Examples of the alcoholic beverages may include beer, wine and liquor. Examples of the non-alcoholic beverages may include water, milk, juices, and soft drinks.
It is known that the beverages are provided in a container made up of different materials. For instance, the beverages such as soft drinks and beer may be provided in a can made of sheet metal. Further, the beverages such as soft drinks may also be provided in a container made of plastic. Furthermore, the beverages such as beer, milk, juices and other beverages may be provided in a container made up of glass.
As is known, people prefer to consume the beverage in chilled state to relish flavor of the beverage. In order to cool down the temperature of the beverage, the container used to store the beverage is placed in a refrigerator. The refrigerator is typically kept at homes, shops, restaurants etc. and takes up huge space. With improvements in technology, the refrigerator is made available in a portable form, which can be used to cool down few containers at once. Although the refrigerator cools down the temperature of the container, the refrigerator needs to be powered at all times for it to work. Therefore, the refrigerator cannot be used when there is no power or electricity.
Additionally, cooler boxes have been used in the past to cool down the temperature of the containers. The cooler boxes are boxes which have thermally insulating walls characterized by relatively low thermal conductivity. In use, the cooler boxes may be filled with ice, or other cold material, along with relatively high thermal conductivity containers, each holding a beverage-to-be-cooled, and in thermal contact with the ice. The beverages are cooled due to transfer of heat from the relatively warm beverages, through the walls of the containers, to the relatively cold ice. It should be understood that the cooler boxes may not be useful once the ice stored in the cooler boxes melts.
Therefore, it is desirable to have an apparatus that is portable and can be used to cool down the temperature of beverage, on demand especially, when the refrigerator or the cooler box is not available.
Several devices or apparatuses have been proposed in the past in which a self-cooling container is used to cool the beverage inside a container. One such example is disclosed in a U.S. Pat. No. 8,033,133. In U.S. Pat. No. 8,033,132, a self-cooling beverage container comprising a container body having a container interior for storing a beverage is disclosed. The self-cooling beverage container comprises a gas compartment provided in the container body. Further, the gas compartment comprises a cooling gas and a cooling compartment disposed in fluid communication with the gas compartment and disposed in the container interior. Further, the gas compartment comprises a gas compartment seal disposed between the gas compartment and the cooling compartment. The self-cooling beverage container comprises a detachable element carried by the container body and a gas release pin carried by the detachable element and adapted to rupture the gas compartment seal upon detachment of the detachable element from the container body.
Although the above cited disclosure facilitates in cooling the beverage stored in the container, the said prior art has several shortcomings. For instance, the beverage container is not reusable once the gas compartment seal is ruptured to trigger cooling and the beverage is consumed. Further, since the pin that ruptures the seal for releasing the cooling gas and the release mechanism at the top of the container are conjoined, significant cooling efficiency is not achieved. Moreover, a controlled release of cooling gas into the atmosphere is not achievable. Moreover, the construction of gas compartment within the beverage container involves tedious manufacturing process increasing the overall cost associated with such a container.
Therefore, there is a need for an improved container that enables convenient cooling of liquid stored therein, while overcoming at least some of the problems associated with the prior art.
The following summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, example embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, example embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.
One or more of the problems/limitations of the conventional prior art may be overcome by various embodiments of the present invention.
Accordingly, it is one object of the present disclosure to provide an apparatus for cooling a liquid stored therein.
It is one object of the present disclosure to provide an apparatus for storing and cooling a liquid stored therein that is at least reusable.
It is one object of the present disclosure to provide an apparatus for storing and cooling a liquid stored therein such that the cooling rate is substantially improved.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a method for manufacturing an apparatus for storing and cooling a liquid stored therein.
In one embodiment, an apparatus for cooling a liquid is disclosed. The apparatus comprising a first hollow cylinder for storing a gas, the first cylinder comprising at least one outlet for releasing the stored gas and a means for at least turning on or off a flow of the gas or controlling the rate of flow of gas. The at least one outlet is positioned substantially at the center of a first planar surface, i.e. the top planar surface of the cylinder.
The apparatus further comprises a second annular hollow cylinder for storing the liquid to be cooled such that a central axial tubular space is defined in the second cylinder that runs through the length of the second cylinder. The first cylinder and the second cylinder are configured for being detachably attached to each other for release the gas from the first cylinder into the axial tubular space in the second cylinder. The second cylinder having a window of predetermined area at one end distal from the interface between the first cylinder and the second cylinder for letting the cooling gas in the central axial tubular space to escape into the atmosphere, thereby cooling the liquid stored in the container.
In a second embodiment, an apparatus for cooling a liquid is disclosed. The apparatus comprising a first hollow cylinder for storing a gas, the first cylinder comprising one or more outlets at the periphery of a first planar surface of the first cylinder for releasing the stored gas and a means for at least turning on or off a flow of the gas or controlling the rate of flow of gas.
The apparatus further comprising a double walled second annular hollow cylinder for storing the liquid to be cooled such that an axial tubular space is defined between the two walls of the second cylinder, the axial tubular space running across the length of the second cylinder. The first cylinder and the second cylinder are configured for being detachably attached to each other for release the gas from the first cylinder into the axial tubular space in the second cylinder. The second cylinder having a window of predetermined area at one end distal from the interface between the first cylinder and the second cylinder for letting the cooling gas in the axial tubular space to escape into the atmosphere, thereby cooling the liquid stored in the container.
A third embodiment discloses an apparatus for cooling the liquid stored therein. The apparatus comprising a first hollow cylinder for storing the gas comprises one or more outlets for releasing the stored gas, the one or more outlets being positioned substantially at the periphery of a first planar surface of the cylinder and at the center of the first planar surface of the first cylinder. A second double-walled annular hollow sealed cylinder with the space between the two walls defining an axial tubular space and also comprising a central axial tubular space.
The first cylinder and the second cylinder configured for being detachably attached to each other for releasing the gas from the first cylinder into at least the axial tubular space and the central axial tubular space in the second cylinder. And, the second cylinder comprising one or more perforations for letting the cooling gas to escape into the atmosphere at a predetermined rate.
The summary above is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. Further aspects, exemplary embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.
These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the example embodiments will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings.
Further, skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and may not have necessarily been drawn to scale. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the figures by conventional symbols, and the figures may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the figures with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.
For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the figures and specific language will be used to describe them. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended. Such alterations and further modifications to the disclosure, and such further applications of the principles of the disclosure as described herein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the disclosure relates are deemed to be a part of this disclosure.
It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory of the disclosure and are not intended to be restrictive thereof.
The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process or method that comprises a list of steps does not include only those steps but may include other steps not expressly listed or inherent to such a process or a method. Similarly, one or more devices or sub-systems or elements or structures or components preceded by “comprises . . . a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other devices, other sub-systems, other elements, other structures, other components, additional devices, additional sub-systems, additional elements, additional structures, or additional components. Appearances of the phrase “in an embodiment”, “in another embodiment” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.
Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting. For instance, the term ‘cylinder’ refers to one shape in winch embodiments of the present disclosure are envisaged. However, it is to be noted that the teachings of this disclosure are applicable to various types of containers without limitation to shape and structure of the containers. Similarly, the term ‘liquid’ as used herein refers to one example of commodity that can be stored in the apparatus of present disclosure and it is to be noted that the embodiments as described herein are applicable to various other commodities that can be stored in the apparatus and that require storage or consumption or both under controlled temperature conditions.
The working, architecture and method for enabling cooling using the apparatus of the present disclosure is now explained with reference to the accompanying figures.
In one embodiment, the first cylinder 102 is a semi-conical hollow unit with a cylindrical base configured for storing a gas or refrigerant under pressure. Preferably, the cylindrical base receives a nozzle 114 that is controlled by an actuation mechanism such as an actuator knob 116. Further, the mouth of the semi-conical portion of the first cylinder 102 comprises one or more threads cut into an outer surface or an inner surface configured for pairing with the one or more threads cut into the bottom portion of the second cylinder 104. In another embodiment, the one or more threads are cut into an outer surface at the base of the semi-conical portion of the first cylinder 102. The first cylinder 102 is preferably made of high density plastics or sheet metals like Aluminum or its alloys. The first cylinder 102 is filled with predetermined quantity of pressurized gas or refrigerant liquid at a filling unit (not shown) prior to its assembly with the second cylinder 104 in use. Further, the first cylinder 102 may be disassembled from the second cylinder 104 after the cooling process and may be filled at the filling unit for reuse.
It is to be noted that while the first cylinder 102 and the second cylinder 104 are shown to have screw thread mechanism, various other means for assembling and disassembling the apparatus 100 may be achieved. For instance, the first cylinder 102 and the second cylinder 104 may be held in contact by way of a snap-fit arrangement.
In one embodiment, the second cylinder 104 is an annular hollow cylinder preferably made of thin sheet metal. The second cylinder 104 receives the liquid to be stored and cooled from a filling unit (not shown). The liquid is for example a beverage, a medical formulation, an industrial solvent and the like. The bottom sealed portion of the second cylinder 104 comprises an opening substantially at the center defined by threads cut out at the edges of the opening. The opening receives the mouth portion of the first cylinder 102 and is assembled manually or automatically. Further, the opening defines an axial tubular space (described later) that runs across the length of the second cylinder 104. The top portion of the second cylinder 104 is covered by a lid 106 during the assembling process after filling the liquid to be stored and cooled. A gas release mechanism constituted by a window of predetermined area acting as a control valve 108 is located in the lid 106 at the interface between the top portion of second cylinder 104 and the lid 106. A second opening is formed in the lid 106 for dispensing the cooled liquid.
The axial tubular space isolated from the stored liquid forms a channel for circulation of the pressurized gas or refrigerant from the first cylinder 102, thereby triggering a heat exchange mechanism between the stored liquid and the gas. As the gas released under pressure expands into the axial tubular space, the heat exchange continues through the length of the second cylinder 104 thereby cooling the liquid stored therein. At least one orifice/window is defined in the axial tubular space at the interface between the second cylinder 104 and the lid 106. The gas escapes into the atmosphere when triggered by the operation of control valve 108 located on the lid 106. The control valve 108 overlaps with the orifice/window defined in the axial tubular space, such that, in use, the gas released from the orifice passes through the control valve 108 at a controlled rate into the atmosphere.
The O-rings 110A and 110B are preferably made of elastomers and are configured to create a seal between the mouth of the first cylinder 102 and the opening in the bottom portion of the second cylinder 104 as well as the actuator 116 and the nozzle 114 thereby securing the assembly against leakages.
Now referring to
The dotted arrow marks indicate the flow of gas within the axial tubular space 206 and escaping from the top through a control valve. In some embodiments, the axial tubular space 206 may have tapering ends at the top region to allow more time for gas expansion and simultaneously more time for continuing heat exchange process. At the end of the cooling process and optionally after dispensing the cooled liquid, the first cylinder 202 may be disassembled and refilled with gas under pressure for reuse with the same or another second cylinder 204. The disassembling is achieved by, for instance, rotating the first cylinder 202 or the second cylinder 204 in an anti-clockwise manner.
Still referring to
Now referring to
In use, the actuator knob or any other actuation means coupled to the first cylinder 302 is triggered, causing the pressurized gas to release from the first cylinder 302 and expand into the axial tubular space 306 in the second cylinder 304. As the gas expands in the axial tubular space 306, heat exchange takes place between the gas and the liquid stored in the second cylinder 304, thereby resulting in cooling the liquid. At least one orifice or window is defined in the axial tubular space at the interface between the second cylinder 304 and the lid 310 that houses a control valve (not shown). Upon operating the control valve (not shown) located at the top of the second cylinder 304, the gas is released into the atmosphere at a controlled rate. An opening is provided in the lid covering the second cylinder 304 for dispensing the cooled liquid.
Still referring to the second embodiment, the double walled second cylinder 304 is preferably made of thin metal sheet, for example Aluminum, such that the two walls of cylinder are drawn as a single unit. Use of a double walled cylinder as described herein ensure ease of assembling and reduced cost of manufacturing. The top view of the first cylinder 302, as shown in
Now referring to
The second cylinder 404 is preferably a double walled cylinder made of thin sheet metal or the like. A first axial tubular space 406 runs through the mid-section of the second cylinder 404. The first axial tubular space 406 is defined by a hollow opening at the bottom portion that substantially coincides with the at least one perforation defined at the top end of the semi-conical portion of the first cylinder 402. Further, the first axial tubular space 406 is separated from the liquid storing region of the second cylinder 404 by a thin wall as indicated in
The lid 414 sealed to the second cylinder 404 after filling the liquid to be stored comprises one or more control valves for allowing the gas flowing through the first axial tubular space 406 and the second axial tubular space 408 to escape into the atmosphere. Similar to the first and second embodiments, the first and second axial tubular spaces 406 and 408 define an orifice or a window at the interface between the second cylinder 404 and the lid 414 that overlaps with the one or more control valves (not shown), such that, during the operation of control valve, the gas is released into the atmosphere at a controlled rate.
In use, the first cylinder 402 and the second cylinder 404 are assembled into a single unit by interlocking the threads cut out in the first cylinder 402 and the second cylinder 404. An actuator coupled to the first cylinder 402 is activated thereby allowing the stored gas to expand into the first axial tubular space 406 and the second axial tubular space 408, thereby initiating the heat exchange process with the liquid stored in the second cylinder 404. As the gas expands and flows through the axial tubular space 406 and 408, the temperature of the liquid is reduced resulting in cooling. The gas is further released into the atmosphere at a predetermined rate through the control valves defined in the lid portion 414.
Still referring to
As may be understood from the foregoing description of
Now referring to
As is evident from the foregoing description, the construction and working of the apparatus for storing and cooling liquids, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, is such as to be easily adaptable for manufacturing in existing manufacturing set-ups intended for manufacturing bottles, cans as well as for filling beverages. In one example, manufacturing of the apparatus in accordance with the first embodiment, comprises the steps of; receiving the first hollow cylinder at a convey or for instance, the first cylinder is, for example, made of sheet metal or hardened plastic or any other suitable material; filling a predetermined volume of gas or refrigerant under pressure into the first cylinder by a gas filling unit stationed in the manufacturing setup; receiving the second cylinder which may be constructed at a different unit or the same unit as the first cylinder; assembling the first cylinder and the second cylinder either manually or automatically at an assembling section of the manufacturing set up; filling a predetermined quantity of liquid to be stored and cooled into the second cylinder at a filling unit and moving the filled unit on the conveyor to a sealing section, for sealing the mouth of the second cylinder with a lid comprising a control valve and preparing the apparatus for distribution. Similar setup is applicable for other embodiments as well. As is understood from the foregoing, the existing bottling plants may adapt the teachings of this disclosure without incurring excessive overhead costs as compared to the prior art.
As may be understood from the foregoing description, the embodiments of the present disclosure overcome one or more shortcomings in the prior art while offering additional advantages to the users including but not limited to reduced costs, minimizing emission of hazardous gases such as CFCs into the environment and convenient for users to carry and dispose of. A person skilled in the art may also appreciate that the cooling apparatus in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure does not require an expensive manufacturing set up and may well be produced in existing plants where liquids such as beverages are bottled or packaged in cans. The cans may be constructed as described in the foregoing description and are additionally fitted with a second cylinder prior to distribution. Furthermore, the apparatus in accordance with the embodiments of the present disclosure result in cooling the contents stored therein within a short span of 45 seconds-120 seconds and thereafter the lower temperatures are maintained for a longer duration till the time the gas escapes from the control valve. Thus, the cooling apparatus is highly suitable for storing beverages that are preferred to be consumed cold. Yet another advantage evident from the foregoing is the ease of operation to achieve cooling of liquid. The user is not required to perform multitude of tasks or to carry additional equipment to achieve cooling at any given instant. Instead, the user is only required to operate the actuator whenever cooling is required.
Further, while references are made to the apparatus for storing liquid, it may be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the apparatus m accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure may be used for solids, semi-solids and the like that require maintaining a lower temperature prior to consumption.
While specific language has been used to describe the disclosure, any limitations arising on account of the same are not intended. As would be apparent to a person skilled in the art, various working modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the inventive concept as taught herein.
The figures and the foregoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment. For example, orders of processes described herein may be changed and are not limited to the manner described herein. Moreover, the actions of any flow diagram need not be implemented in the order shown; nor do all of the acts necessarily need to be performed. Also, those acts that are not dependent on other acts may be performed in parallel with the other acts. The scope of embodiments is by no means limited by these specific examples. Numerous variations, whether explicitly given in the specification or not, such as differences in structure, dimension, and use of material, are possible.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 201841026044 | Jul 2018 | IN | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/IN2019/050155 | 2/26/2019 | WO | 00 |
