MX2007010597A - Chilled beverage storage device. - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a chilled beverage storage device constituted by a cold area and a hot area; the cold area comprises a first structure (2) arranged towards at least one cold generating module (4, 5) and provided with at least one holding arrangement (1) adapted to hold, in direct contact, one or more beverage containers to be kept chilled; one or more reservoirs (7) containing a phase change material in thermal exchange with the cold generating module (4, 5) are arranged around the holding arrangement (1).

Description

CHILLED DRINK STORAGE DEVICE TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a device for storing cooled drinks contained in bottles or cans.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Beverages contained in bottles or cans are often stored in an electric refrigeration appliance which cools and maintains the beverage at a temperature well below room temperature. Normally, household refrigerators are found in the kitchen, which can be far from the place where the cold drink is going to be served or consumed. Therefore, it would be advisable to have a small portable container capable of storing cans or cold bottles by keeping them at a temperature previously reached in the refrigerator. Accordingly, the object of the present invention is to provide a storage device for chilled beverages which is capable of storing and keeping beverages cooled to the temperature reached in the refrigerator. Within the objective mentioned above, the The purpose of the present invention is to provide a chilled beverage storage device having small dimensions so that it can be easily installed and operated in the place where the beverage is to be supplied or consumed. A further purpose of the present invention is to provide a chilled beverage storage device capable of being manufactured at competitive costs by using generally known and readily available tools, machinery and equipment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION These objectives and purposes are obtained by a modular refrigeration unit as defined in claim 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The additional features and advantages of the present invention will be readily understood from the following description of a preferred embodiment illustrated by way of non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a device according to the present invention. Figure 2 shows a front view of a electrical apparatus using the device according to the present invention. Figure 3 shows a front perspective view of the electrical apparatus according to Figure 2. Figure 4 shows a rear perspective view of the electrical apparatus according to Figure 2.

DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE MODALITIES With reference to Figure 1, a storage device for chilled beverages according to the present invention is constituted by a cold area 13 and a hot area 14; the cold area comprises a first aluminum structure 2 having a first plate 3 distributed towards a pair of thermoelectric modules 4, 5 and, opposite the modules, at least one holding arrangement 1 adapted to retain one or more beverage containers , such as cans or bottles, which are to be kept cool; the retaining arrangement 1 is formed by aluminum tubes 6 advantageously obtained in one piece with the plate 3. One or more of the reservoirs 7 containing a phase change material are distributed around the tubes 6 forming the arrangement 1 of retention. Preferably, the tanks 7 can be made in the form of bags to be inserted around each retention arrangement 1. The hot, arranged area 14 facing the cold area 13 comprises a second aluminum structure 8 having a second plate 12 which is provided with supports 10, 11 for the respective thermoelectric modules 4, 5; the second aluminum structure 8 is adapted to transfer the heat from the thermoelectric modules 4, 5 to the ambient air through a fan 9. The operation of the thermoelectric modules 4, 5 is based on the Peltier effect to create a temperature difference when the modules 4, 5 are connected electrically to a power supply. Advantageously, the second plate 12 can be made in one piece with the supports 10, 11 and a fan holder for the fan 9 can also be integrated, as well as inlet and outlet ducts (not shown in the drawings) for the air. The hot and cold areas 13, 14 are formed from an insulated cover which is preferably obtained by polyurethane foaming. In the device described above the beverage container to be cooled in this manner is in direct contact, by means of the tubes 6 forming the retaining arrangement 1 for the container, with the first aluminum structure 2 which is cooled by the thermoelectric modules 4, 5 so that heat transfer is obtained by direct conduction in the cold area 13; conversely, the heat transfer in the hot area 14 is obtained by conduction plus convection through the fan 9. The operation of the device is as follows: when the device is connected to the power supply, the thermoelectric modules 4, 5 begin to cool the phase change material in such a way that a decrease in temperature is obtained in the retention arrangement 1 formed by the aluminum tubes 6 of the first aluminum structure 2, when the beverage container is introduced into the retainer arrangement 1 , the cold stored in the phase change material and in the aluminum tubes 6 is transferred directly to the container. The device continues to cool the container until an equilibrium temperature between the cold area 13 and the container is reached. The cooled beverage storage device according to the present invention accomplishes the aforementioned objects and purposes: in fact, a compact device having small dimensions has been obtained which is capable of storing and keeping drinks cooled at a temperature reached in the refrigerator using heat transfer by direct conduction in the cold area 13. In addition, it can be installed and operated easily wherever drinks are served or consumed, provided that a power supply socket is available nearby; For example you can hang it on a wall or locate it in the living room near a sofa or a reclining chair. An electrical apparatus having the structure of the present invention shown in Figures 2-4 is shown. Figure 2 shows an electrical apparatus with nine retention arrangements 1, each having a tube 6 of aluminum and a reservoir 7. Said electrical apparatus is convenient for its placement on the wall. In Figures 3 and 4, the rear side, the hot area 14 can also be observed with the second aluminum structure 8. The first aluminum structure 2 is shown in the figures, but in some cases it may be convenient to cover it by means of a plastic cover or the like for design purposes. It is understood that the materials used, as well as the shapes and the size of the individual constituent parts may be more appropriate for their placement in any specific need or that they meet any requirement without this implying departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the proposed aluminum structures (for example for tubes) 6 can be replaced by structures made of another heat conducting material such as another metal. In addition, the number of Peltier thermoelectric modules 4, 5 used is not limited to a pair of two.

Claims (9)

1. Cooled beverage storage device constituted by a cold area and a hot area, the cold area comprises a first structure that is provided with at least one holding arrangement adapted to retain one or more beverage containers to keep them cooled, characterized in that the first structure is arranged towards at least one cold generating module, at least one reservoir containing a phase change material in heat exchange with the module which is arranged around the holding arrangement, the drinking container is in direct contact with the retention arrangement. Device as described in claim 1, characterized in that the first structure comprises a first plate oriented towards the cold generating module. Device as described in claim 1, characterized in that the retention arrangement is formed by tubes. Device as described in claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the tubes are obtained in one piece with the plate. 5. Device as described in claim 1, characterized in that the tanks are made in the form of bags that are to be inserted around the retention arrangement. Device as described in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hot area is positioned facing the cold area and comprises a second structure having a second plate that is provided with supports for the cold generating module, the second structure It is adapted to transfer heat from the module to the ambient air through a fan. Device as described in claim 6, characterized in that the second plate is made in one piece with the supports. Device as described in claim 6, characterized in that the fan holder for the fan and the air inlet and outlet ducts are integrated in the second plate. Device as described in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cold generating module consists of a Peltier thermoelectric module.