Patent Description:
Known beverage coolers of this kind define a cooling chamber formed in the housing, wherein the beverage container is to be accommodated in the cooling chamber (see e.g. <CIT>). The cooling chamber also comprises a rotating mechanism for rotating the beverage container. In use, a plurality of ice cubes is poured into the cooling chamber so as to be in frictional contact with the beverage container.

Subsequently, the beverage container is rotated against the ice cubes to quickly cool the beverage in the beverage container to about <NUM> to <NUM>. Another beverage cooler suggesting the use of ice cubes or a cooling fluid, such as water or glycol, is described in <CIT>. Yet, the necessity for ice cubes impairs ease of use and mobility of the device.

Other beverage coolers as disclosed in <CIT> and <CIT> are designed for use in a fridge and, hence, not as stand-alone units. Thus, mobility of the device is very limited. Further, efficiency and speed of cooling are relatively low. Another beverage cooler of this kind is known from <CIT> being an accessory for a refrigerator, wherein the refrigerating device is part of the refrigerator. A similar disclosure may also be found in <CIT>.

An even further beverage cooler is known from <CIT> suggesting a cooling cavity confining a coolant. An evaporator coil of a vapor compression cycle is arranged in the cooling cavity, wherein a refrigerant flows through the evaporator coil cooling the coolant. A beverage container placed within the cooling chamber is surrounded by the cooling cavity and may, thus, be cooled. Yet, the beverage container is not in contact with the wall of the cooling cavity or the coolant. Also with respect to those beverage coolers, efficiency and speed of cooling are relatively low.

In view of the aforesaid, it was an object to provide a beverage cooler as a stand-alone unit allowing quick and efficient cooling of a beverage container. A further object is ease of use and/or mobility of the beverage cooler.

At least one of the above objects is realized by a beverage cooler as defined in claim <NUM>. Embodiments of the beverage cooler are defined in the dependent claims.

The basic idea of the present invention is to use a vapor compression cycle for cooling an airstream or airflow which is circulated around and in contact with the beverage container in a substantially closed system. More particular, the air flows through an evaporator of the vapor compression cycle, is thereby cooled and subsequently enters a cooling chamber accommodating the beverage container. The cool air flows around and past the beverage container cooling the beverage in the beverage container which is preferably rotated around its center axis during cooling. Finally, the air leaves the cooling chamber being returned to the evaporator for being again cooled by the vapor compression cycle. Hence, no ice cubes or coolant are necessary. Nevertheless, efficient and quick transfer of heat (cooling) is enabled due to the flow of air along and in contact with the beverage container.

According to the invention, the beverage cooler comprises a housing defining an elongated cooling chamber. The cooling chamber may be substantially rectangular or cuboidal. The corners may, however, be rounded and/or the legs/surfaces of the rectangle/cuboid may be curved instead of being straight. The cooling chamber, being elongated/longitudinal, has a length larger than its width. In other words, the cooling chamber is slender. In one example, the length is between <NUM> and <NUM> times or between <NUM> times and <NUM> times or between <NUM> times and <NUM> times larger than the width.

For example, the length of the cooling chamber may be between <NUM> and <NUM> or <NUM> and <NUM>, preferably between <NUM> and <NUM> or between <NUM> and <NUM>. In another example, the length of the cooling chamber may be between <NUM> and <NUM>. The length of the cooling chamber is particularly governed by the largest height of a bottle, to be accommodated in the cooling chamber. An example may be a flail bottle or slender bottle, e.g. used for Riesling, having a height between <NUM> and <NUM>. Another example may be a burgundy bottle, e.g. used for Chardonnay, usually having a height between <NUM> and <NUM>.

The width of the cooling chamber may be between <NUM> and <NUM>. Again, the width of the cooling chamber is particularly governed by the largest diameter of a beverage container to be accommodated. In this context, the diameter of a burgundy bottle is usually between <NUM> and <NUM> and that of a flail bottle is usually between <NUM> to <NUM>. If baffle plates are provided (see below), the width may be larger and preferably between <NUM> and <NUM>. Without baffles plates, a smaller width between <NUM> and <NUM> may be selected.

As previously indicated, the elongated cooling chamber is formed in the housing for accommodating the beverage container. The cooling chamber may be closed relative to the atmosphere. In an embodiment, the housing may comprise a housing body and a lid (see below), wherein a first part of the cooling chamber (e.g. a receiving chamber having an insertion opening for inserting the beverage container into the receiving chamber) is formed in the housing body and a second part of the cooling chamber is formed in the lid (e.g. closing the insertion opening).

The beverage cooler is configured for cooling only one bottle of wine or sparkling wine at a time. The beverage cooler may also be suitable to accommodate two or more cans one after the other along their longitudinal center axis, for example two cans instead of the one bottle. The beverage cooler may also comprise more than one cooling chamber, wherein the cooling chambers are, in this case, separated (e.g. no direct fluid (cooling air) communication between the cooling chambers) from each other and each cooling chamber is configured to accommodate one or more of the beverage containers.

The cooling chamber comprises an air inlet for introducing air into the cooling chamber and an air outlet for exhausting air from the cooling chamber. Certainly, there may be more than one air inlet and/or air outlet.

The beverage cooler further comprises an air flow circuit or a closed air flow path. In this context, an air flow circuit or closed air flow path is to be understood as a substantially closed loop. A closed loop is in one embodiment to be understood in that there is no exchange of air within the air flow path. Hence, no external air is introduced into the air flow path during operation of the beverage cooler. In another embodiment, a closed loop is to be understood in that additional external air may be introduced into the air flow path but that air which had been used for cooling the beverage container is mixed with the external air before being reintroduced into the cooling chamber. Yet, also in this case no air from the closed air flow path should be exhausted to the outside. Thus, also in this embodiment air which is still relatively cool though already used for cooling the beverage container is re-fed to the cooling chamber after being anew cooled down as explained in more detail below. Due to the air flow circuit, cooling efficiency may be increased by reducing loss of already cooled air.

The air flow circuit/closed air flow path comprises the air inlet/-s, the cooling chamber and the air outlet/-s.

Moreover, the beverage cooler comprises a fan arranged in the air flow circuit/closed air flow path for inducing an air flow in the air flow circuit/closed air flow path in an air flow direction. The fan may be an axial fan or a radial fan. The volumetric flow rate of the fan may be at least <NUM><NUM>/s, preferably at least <NUM><NUM>/s and most preferred more than <NUM><NUM>/s.

The beverage cooler further comprises a refrigerating device arranged in the housing. The refrigerating device may be a vapor compression cycle. The refrigerating device comprises a compressor, an evaporator, an expansion mechanism and a condenser connected in a refrigerant circuit containing a refrigerant. The evaporator and/or the condenser may be tube-fin type heat exchangers. Depending on the needs two or more evaporators/condensers may be connected in series or in parallel. The expansion mechanism may be an expansion valve or a capillary tube. The refrigerant may be R600A (isobutane, methylpropane).

The evaporator is positioned in the air flow circuit/closed air flow path upstream of the air inlet in the flow direction for exchanging heat between the air flow and the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit.

The beverage container further comprises a rotating mechanism for rotating the beverage container about its longitudinal center axis, the longitudinal center axis being parallel to the longitudinal extension of the cooling chamber. Preferably, the rotating mechanism is configured to rotate the beverage container to up to <NUM> rpm, preferably between <NUM> and <NUM> rpm.

Due to the rotation of the beverage container, heat transfer from the beverage in the container to the air flow may be enhanced and cooling efficiency be improved.

Due to the configuration of the above-described beverage cooler, it is possible to quickly and efficiently cool a beverage container. In a particular non-limiting example, the beverage container may be cooled in less than <NUM> minutes to a desired temperature of e.g. <NUM>. The beverage cooler is easy to use and may be used as a stand-alone unit.

The air inlet may be configured to direct the air flow onto a circumferential surface of the beverage container. In an embodiment, the air flow is directed onto a circumferential surface of the beverage container perpendicular to the longitudinal center axis thereof or in a radial direction of the beverage container.

Thereby, the contact of air with the outer circumferential surface is kept as short as possible and more air flows along the surface, enabling quicker cooling of the beverage in the beverage container by convection.

The cooling chamber may have a first side wall and a second side wall opposite to the first side wall, wherein the air inlet is formed in the first side wall and the air outlet is formed adjacent to or in the second side wall.

Alternatively, the cooling chamber may have a first side wall and a second side wall opposite to the first side wall, as well as third side wall and a fourth side wall opposite to the third side wall. In this configuration, air inlets may be formed in the first and the second side walls and air outlets may be formed in the third and fourth side walls.

Introducing the air at one side and exhausting the air at an opposite side allows that the air flows along and past the beverage container. Due to the direct contact of the air with the beverage container, the efficiency of the heat transfer and, therefore, the efficiency of cooling are enhanced.

The first and second side walls may be located at respective ends in the longitudinal direction of the cooling chamber (being transverse side walls) and/or along the longitudinal direction/a center axis of the beverage container to be accommodated in the cooling chamber (being longitudinal side walls).

Consequently, the air flows from one end of the beverage container to an opposite end thereby providing for an efficient contact with the entire surface of the beverage container. Accordingly, efficiency of cooling can be improved.

In one embodiment, the evaporator and/or the fan may be arranged adjacent the first wall outside the cooling chamber.

As a result, the evaporator and/or the fan are arranged closest to the inlet opening. Hence, any heat or pressure losses of the air flow upstream of the cooling chamber may be minimized.

In an alternative embodiment, the evaporator and/or the fan may be arranged below the cooling chamber (i.e. below a bottom of the cooling chamber), whereby the length of the beverage cooler in the longitudinal direction of the cooling chamber may be reduced. A radial fan may be advantageous in this embodiment providing for a higher volumetric flow rate.

Further, the evaporator may be sandwiched between the first wall and the fan.

As most fans are in general more efficient when blowing air through a flow restriction, such as the evaporator, this configuration provides for a more efficient use of the fan.

The air flow circuit/closed air flow path comprises a return passage connecting the air outlet and the air inlet. The air inlet and the air outlet are communicated by the cooling chamber. Thus, the air flow circuit comprises the air inlet, the cooling chamber, the air outlet and the return passage. It is self-evident that more than one return passage may be provided. The return passage/-s may be formed at the longitudinal sides of the cooling chamber (e.g. in a longitudinal sidewall/-s), above (e.g. in a lid) and/or below (i.e. in a bottom) of the cooling chamber. The return passage/-s may be provided in a housing body and/or a lid (see below). Preferably, the return passage/-s are integrated into the housing. In the embodiment in which the air inlet is provided in the first side wall and the air outlet/-s is/are provided adjacent to or in the second side wall opposite to the first side wall, the return passage/-s may be formed in a third and/or fourth side wall (longitudinal sidewall/-s) connecting the first and second side walls (transverse side walls). Alternatively, the return passage may be formed below the cooling chamber, i.e. in a bottom of the cooling chamber.

The cooling chamber may have a plurality of baffle plates (e.g. between <NUM> and <NUM>), preferably extending perpendicular to the flow direction. The baffle plates reduce the flow rate of the air in certain areas of the cooling chamber. Accordingly, the retention time of the cooling air in these areas is increased. For example, adjacent baffle plates in the longitudinal direction of the cooling chamber may form dead spaces for reducing the flow rate of the introduced cool air along the beverage container. Baffle plates on opposite walls project towards each other. The baffle plates may be distanced in the longitudinal direction of the cooling chamber. Further, baffle plates on one wall may be offset to baffle plates on an opposite wall. Furthermore, the baffle plates may be arranged at the housing body and/or the lid (see below).

The baffle plates serve for improving the cooling efficiency of the beverage container.

The housing has a housing body and a lid movably connected to the housing body for inserting a beverage container into the cooling chamber. The lid may be connected to the housing body like a door rotatable about a horizontal (as in the first embodiment below) or a vertical axis for example substituting a side wall of the cooling chamber (as in the second embodiment below). Alternatively, the lid may be rotatable relative to the housing body along a horizontal axis and covering the majority of the length of the cooling chamber, i.e. a top of the cooling chamber. The lid may be hollow or contained an insulating material for insulating the lid relative to the surroundings. Also, the housing may have hollow portions and/or contain insulating material in the areas corresponding to the bottom and/or at the side walls of the cooling chamber.

Due to the above configuration, ease of use, particular ease of inserting the beverage container into the beverage cooler is realized.

The air flow circuit/closed air flow path may be formed in the housing body and/or in the lid. For example, the housing body or parts thereof and/or the lid may be manufactured as injection molding parts and the air flow circuit/closed air flow path may at least in part be integrally formed in the injection molding part.

Thus, the manufacturing costs of the beverage cooler may be kept as low as possible.

According to an embodiment, the rotating mechanism comprises a rotatable support arranged in the cooling chamber for rotatably supporting the beverage container and a motor for rotating the support, wherein the motor may be located below or at a longitudinal end of the cooling chamber. In one example, the motor and the rotatable support may be connected via a transmission located adjacent a side wall of the cooling chamber.

Due to this configuration, the length of the beverage cooler in the longitudinal direction of the cooling chamber may be reduced (arranging the motor below the cooling chamber) and/or the width of the beverage cooler may be reduced (arranging the motor below or at a longitudinal end of the cooling chamber).

The rotatable support comprises two distanced rotatable axes extending along the longitudinal direction of the cooling chamber. The axes may be connected to the motor directly or via a transmission. It is also conceivable that only one of the axes is driven by (connected to) the motor, whereas the other one of the axes is free-wheeling. As previously indicated, the transmission may be located adjacent to the side wall of the cooling chamber. In one example, the motor may provide for up to <NUM>,<NUM> rpm. The two axes may be rotated to up to <NUM>,<NUM> rpm. Having a motor providing for up to <NUM>,000rpm, the transmission ratio may be <NUM>/<NUM> to achieve a rotational speed of the beverage container of between <NUM> and <NUM> rpm. Further, the motor speed may gradually increase from <NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM> rpm to only gradually increase the rotational speed of the beverage container. In another example, the motor may provide for up to <NUM> rpm. The two axes may be rotated to up to <NUM>,<NUM> rpm. Having a motor providing for up to 600rpm, the transmission ratio may be between <NUM> and <NUM> to achieve a rotational speed of the beverage container of between <NUM> and <NUM> rpm.

The minimum distance between the outer circumferences of the two axes may be between <NUM> and <NUM> and preferably is <NUM>. The distance is primarily governed by the minimum diameter of the beverage container to be accommodated in the cooling chamber, e.g. the diameter of a <NUM> liter Red Bull® can. The distance of the center axes of the two axes may be <NUM>, in case high friction support rings are mounted to the axes, the distance between the outer circumference of opposite support rings on the axes being between <NUM> and <NUM>. In another embodiment, the distance between the outer circumferences of the two axes may be between <NUM> and <NUM>. The upper value is particularly necessary to also accommodate larger bottles, such as magnum size bottles.

The compressor and/or the condenser and/or the expansion mechanism is/are arranged below the cooling chamber to provide for a reduced width of the beverage cooler. Alternatively, the compressor and/or the condenser and/or the expansion mechanism is/are arranged at the sides of the cooling chamber to provide for a reduced height of the beverage cooler.

As a consequence, a relatively short beverage cooler in the longitudinal direction of the cooling chamber may be achieved. Additionally, the center of gravity will be relatively low so that stability of the beverage cooler is high when being placed on a horizontal surface.

In an embodiment, a volumetric flow rate of the air flow induced by the fan is in the cooling chamber between <NUM><NUM>/s and <NUM><NUM>/s, preferably <NUM> and <NUM><NUM>/s and most preferably between <NUM><NUM>/s and <NUM><NUM>/s. The volumetric air flow in the cooling chamber is particularly to be considered as the air flow in the longitudinal direction of the cooling chamber. As previously indicated, the baffle plates are intended to reduce the flow rate in certain areas to create an air circulation. Yet, the overall flow rate in the longitudinal direction of the cooling chamber should be within the above range. One may also consider this flow rate to be the flow rate of the air introduced into the cooling chamber at the air inlet.

The volumetric flow rate of the air flow induced by the fan is in the return passage larger than in the cooling chamber. The volumetric flow in the return passage is preferably between <NUM><NUM>/s and <NUM><NUM>/s.

According to this aspect, heat transfer between the beverage container and the air may be enhanced and cooling efficiency be improved.

The cooling chamber may have an internal volume of less than <NUM>,<NUM><NUM>, less than <NUM>,<NUM><NUM> or less than <NUM>,<NUM><NUM>, e.g. between <NUM>,<NUM><NUM> and <NUM>,<NUM><NUM>, <NUM>,<NUM><NUM> and <NUM>,<NUM><NUM>, <NUM>,<NUM><NUM> and <NUM>,<NUM><NUM> or between <NUM>,<NUM><NUM> and <NUM>,<NUM><NUM> excluding any internal mechanisms or features such as the baffle plates or the rotating mechanism described above.

Thus, the entire volume of the cooling chamber may be kept relatively low so that as compared to a common refrigerator/fridge, the heat transfer is improved.

Therefore, quick and efficient cooling of the beverage container is achieved.

An embodiment will be described referring to the accompanying drawings, in which:.

In the accompanying drawings, the same or similar features are denoted by the same reference numerals, wherein the corresponding features in the second embodiment are increased by <NUM>.

The drawings show a beverage cooler <NUM> according to an embodiment. The beverage cooler <NUM> comprises a housing <NUM>. The housing <NUM> comprises a housing body <NUM> and a lid <NUM>. The lid <NUM> is hinged to the housing body <NUM> so as to be rotatable about an axis of rotation <NUM> being oriented horizontally. Thus, the lid <NUM> may in use be moved upward and downward to open and close the later described cooling chamber <NUM> allowing the insertion and removal of a beverage container <NUM>. For this purpose, the lid may have a recess <NUM> embodying a handle.

The housing <NUM> has a length L, a width W and a height H. The length L is larger than the width W. Thus, the housing <NUM> is elongated.

The housing <NUM> is basically parallelepiped. Thus, the housing <NUM> has first and second opposite longitudinal side walls <NUM> and first and second opposite transverse side walls <NUM>. One or two of the side walls may have a grid <NUM> allowing the exchange of air between the interior of the housing <NUM> and the exterior of the housing <NUM>. In the present embodiment, a grid <NUM> is provided in each of the first and second longitudinal side walls <NUM> adjacent a transverse side wall <NUM> and a bottom <NUM>.

Further, the bottom <NUM> serves as a support for supporting the beverage cooler <NUM> on a horizontal surface such as a table or a kitchen countertop. In the present embodiment, the lid <NUM> forms a top <NUM> of the housing <NUM> opposite to the bottom <NUM>.

The beverage cooler <NUM> further comprises a cooling chamber <NUM> part of which is shown in <FIG>. In particular, the cooling chamber <NUM> in the present embodiment is defined by the housing body <NUM> and the lid <NUM>. With the lid <NUM> in the closed position, the cooling chamber is a closed space. To improve the cooling efficiency, a sealing <NUM> is provided in the housing body <NUM> to seal the interface between the lid <NUM> and the housing body <NUM>.

The cooling chamber <NUM> as well has a length Lc, a width Wc and a height Hc (shown in <FIG>). The length Lc of the cooling chamber <NUM> is larger than its width Wc. Thus, the cooling chamber <NUM> is elongated. In one example, the length Lc is between <NUM> times and <NUM> times larger than the width Wc.

The length Lc may be in the range of <NUM> and <NUM> or <NUM> and <NUM>, preferably between <NUM> and <NUM>. In another example, the length Lc of the cooling chamber <NUM> may be between <NUM> and <NUM>. The length Lc of the cooling chamber is particularly governed by the largest height of a bottle <NUM> to be accommodated in the cooling chamber. An example may be a flail bottle or slender bottle, e.g. used for Riesling, having a height between <NUM> and <NUM>. Another example may be a burgundy bottle, e.g. used for Chardonnay, usually having a height between <NUM> and <NUM>. In case of a magnum size bottle, the upper limit may be in the range of <NUM>.

The width Wc of the cooling chamber <NUM> may be between <NUM> and <NUM>. Again, the width Wc of the cooling chamber <NUM> is particularly governed by the largest diameter of a beverage container to be accommodated. In this context, the diameter of a burgundy bottle is usually between <NUM> and <NUM> and that of a flail bottle is usually between <NUM> to <NUM>. If baffle plates are provided (see below), the width may be larger and preferably between <NUM> and <NUM>. Without baffles plates, a smaller width between <NUM> and <NUM> may be selected.

The height Hc may be in a similar range as the width. The height Hc may be in the range of <NUM> and <NUM>. Similar as the width Wc, the height Hc is particularly governed by the largest diameter of a beverage container to be accommodated. Again, if baffle plates are provided, the height HC may be larger (between <NUM> and <NUM>) as compared to a cooling chamber without baffle plates (between <NUM> and <NUM>).

The cooling chamber <NUM> has an internal volume of less than <NUM>,<NUM><NUM> or less than <NUM>,<NUM><NUM> or less than <NUM>,<NUM><NUM>, excluding any internal mechanisms or features such as the baffle plates or the rotating mechanism described above. The internal volume may have a minimum size of <NUM>,<NUM><NUM> or <NUM>,<NUM><NUM>.

The cooling chamber <NUM> is generally parallelepiped being limited by first and second opposite longitudinal side walls <NUM> and first and second opposite transverse side walls <NUM>. In a plan view, the cooling chamber <NUM> is basically rectangular with rounded corners. In the present embodiment, the first and second opposite longitudinal side walls <NUM> extend in the longitudinal direction (length Lc) of the cooling chamber corresponding to the longitudinal direction of the housing <NUM> (length L). Thus, the first and second longitudinal side walls <NUM> extend parallel to the longitudinal center axis <NUM> of the beverage container <NUM>. To the contrary, the first and second transverse side walls <NUM> extend along the width Wc direction of the cooling chamber <NUM> and in the present embodiment also the width direction W of the housing <NUM>. Thus, the first and second transverse side walls <NUM> extend perpendicular to the longitudinal center axis <NUM> of the beverage container <NUM>. In other words, the first and second transverse side walls <NUM> are located at the respective ends of the beverage containers <NUM> along the longitudinal center axis <NUM> of the beverage container <NUM>. As also visible from <FIG>, the beverage container <NUM> in the present invention is oriented horizontally, i.e. with is longitudinal center axis <NUM> being parallel to the bottom <NUM> of the housing <NUM>.

The cooling chamber <NUM> further comprises a bottom <NUM> and a top <NUM>, wherein the top is located in the lid <NUM> (see <FIG>). The lid <NUM> may have hollow portions <NUM> so that the air within the hollow portion <NUM> may serve as insulation material for insulating the cooling chamber <NUM>.

The cooling chamber <NUM> comprises an air inlet <NUM> and an air outlet <NUM>. In the present embodiment, two air outlets <NUM> are provided. In particular, the air inlet <NUM> is arranged in the first transverse side wall and the air outlets are positioned in the first and second longitudinal side walls <NUM> adjacent to the second transverse side wall <NUM>.

Moreover, the cooling chamber <NUM> comprises a plurality of baffle plates <NUM> (<NUM> in the embodiment depicted in <FIG> and <NUM> in the simulation of <FIG>). The baffle plates <NUM> protrude from the first and second longitudinal side walls <NUM> as well as from the bottom <NUM> and the top <NUM> towards a center axis (the center axis <NUM> of the beverage containers <NUM>). Therefore, the baffle plates extend perpendicular to the flow direction of the later described air flow through the cooling chamber <NUM>. A free or leading edge <NUM> of the baffle plate <NUM> defines an area within the cooling chamber and is sized to accommodate the beverage containers <NUM> (see <FIG>). As shown in the simulation in <FIG>, the baffle plates <NUM> may be offset on the opposite longitudinal side walls <NUM>. To put it differently, a baffle plate <NUM> on one of the longitudinal side walls <NUM> may be positioned intermediate two adjacent baffle plates <NUM> on the opposite longitudinal side wall <NUM>.

The beverage cooler <NUM> further comprises an air flow circuit. The air flow circuit is constituted by the air inlet <NUM>, the cooling chamber <NUM>, the air outlet/-s <NUM> and a return passage <NUM>. The return passage <NUM> extends from the air outlet/-s <NUM> parallel to the first and second longitudinal side walls <NUM> as best visible from <FIG> and <FIG>. The return passage <NUM> may comprise a return chamber <NUM> located at an end of the return passage <NUM> opposite to the air outlet/-s <NUM>. The return passage <NUM> extends from the air outlet/-s <NUM> via the optional return chamber <NUM> to the air inlet <NUM>.

Moreover, the beverage cooler <NUM> comprises a refrigerating device <NUM> best visible from <FIG>. The refrigerating device <NUM> is a vapor compression refrigerator. The refrigerating device <NUM> comprises a compressor <NUM>, an evaporator <NUM>, an expansion mechanism not visible in the drawings (here the form of the capillary tube) and a condenser <NUM>. In the present embodiment, two condensers <NUM> are provided in order to increase the cooling capacity. Yet, only one condenser <NUM> may be sufficient. The evaporator <NUM> and/or the condensers <NUM> may be fin-tube-type heat exchangers.

The compressor <NUM>, the evaporator <NUM>, the expansion mechanism and the condensers <NUM> are connected by refrigerant pipes <NUM> forming a refrigerant circuit and containing a refrigerant. In the present in embodiment, the refrigerant is R290 or R600A. Yet, other refrigerants may as well be used.

The compressor <NUM>, the expansion mechanism and the condensers <NUM> are located in a lower portion of the housing <NUM>. Particularly, the compressor <NUM> and the condenser <NUM> are mounted on a bottom plate <NUM> of the housing <NUM> and comprising the bottom <NUM>. In this context, the condensers <NUM> are located adjacent and parallel to the longitudinal side walls <NUM> of the housing <NUM> adjacent to the grids <NUM>. A fan <NUM>, particularly an axial fan, is located between the condenser/-s <NUM> and the grid/-s <NUM> or the condenser/-s may be located between the fan/-s <NUM> and the grid/-s <NUM>. A plurality of holes <NUM> is further provided in the first transverse side wall <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. Thus, outdoor air may be drawn in via the grids <NUM> by means of the fan <NUM>, passes through the condensers <NUM> and may again be exhausted from the interior of the housing <NUM> via the holes <NUM> to the outside. Thus, heat may be exchanged between the sucked in outdoor air and the refrigerant flowing through the condensers <NUM> before the outdoor air is again exhausted.

The compressor <NUM>, the condenser <NUM> and the expansion mechanism are located below the cooling chamber <NUM>. The evaporator <NUM> is in the present embodiment located adjacent to the first transverse side wall <NUM> of the cooling chamber <NUM> comprising the air inlet <NUM>. Further, a fan <NUM> for inducing an airstream through the air flow circuit is also located in the vicinity or adjacent the first transverse side wall <NUM> of the cooling chamber <NUM>. In the particular embodiment, the evaporator <NUM> is sandwiched between the first transverse side wall <NUM> and the fan <NUM>. Further, in the present embodiment the fan <NUM> is an axial fan. The fan <NUM> as? the fans <NUM> may provide for an air flow rate of at least <NUM><NUM>/s, preferably <NUM><NUM>/s.

When the fan <NUM> is operating, an air flow is induced in a closed loop. In particular, air is flown by the fan <NUM> to pass through the evaporator <NUM>, wherein the air exchanges heat with the refrigerant flowing through the evaporator <NUM>. In particular, the air is cooled, and heat is transferred from the air to the refrigerant for evaporating the refrigerant in the evaporator <NUM>. Subsequently, the air flows via the air inlet <NUM> into the cooling chamber <NUM>. The cool air introduced into the cooling chamber <NUM> flows along the surfaces of the beverage container <NUM> and past the beverage container <NUM> towards the air outlet <NUM> at the opposite end of the cooling chamber <NUM>. In order to retain the cool air as long as possible within the cooling chamber <NUM>, the baffle plates <NUM> form dead spaces <NUM> in which the cool air may circulate (see simulation in <FIG>). When the cool air has reached the air outlets <NUM>, it enters the return passage <NUM>, flows to the return chamber <NUM> and is sucked in by the fan <NUM> and again flown through the evaporator <NUM> for cooling. From this explanation, it is clear that the evaporator <NUM> is positioned in the air flow circuit upstream of the air inlet <NUM> in the flow direction of the air flow in the air flow circuit. In this embodiment, also the fan is arranged in the air flow circuit. Moreover, it becomes clear that the return passage connects the air outlet/-s <NUM> and the air inlet <NUM>. Similarly, the cooling chamber <NUM> forms a passage that connects the air inlet <NUM> and the air outlet/-s <NUM>.

The volumetric flow rate of the air flow induced by the fan <NUM> may in the cooling chamber be between <NUM><NUM>/s and <NUM><NUM>/s, preferably <NUM> and <NUM><NUM>/s and most preferably between <NUM><NUM>/s and <NUM><NUM>/s. It is also clear, that the volumetric flow rate in the dead spaces <NUM> formed by the baffle plates <NUM> is by far slower. Hence, the above volumetric flow rate particularly relates to the air volumetric air flow in the longitudinal direction of the cooling chamber <NUM> or at the air inlet. The volumetric flow rate of the air flow in the return passage <NUM> may be larger than in the cooling chamber <NUM> and preferably between <NUM><NUM>/s and <NUM><NUM>/s.

The refrigerant in the evaporator <NUM> is vaporized and, hence, gaseous. The gaseous refrigerant is returned to the compressor <NUM>. The refrigerant compressed in the compressor <NUM> is subsequently fed to the condensers <NUM>. In the condensers <NUM>, the refrigerant is condensed by transferring heat from the refrigerant to the outdoor air sucked in and flown through the condenser <NUM> by the fans <NUM>. The condensed and, hence, liquid refrigerant passes through the expansion mechanism (capillary tube or expansion valve) being expanded. Due to the expansion, the refrigerant will change to a two-phase state, i.e. liquid and gas (vapor). The two-phase refrigerant is subsequently fed to the evaporator <NUM> in which the refrigerant is fully vaporized by taking up the heat from the air passed through the evaporator <NUM> by the fan <NUM>, thereby cooling the air.

In order to further enhance the cooling efficiency, it may be beneficial to rotate the beverage container <NUM> along its longitudinal center axis <NUM>. For this purpose, the beverage cooler <NUM> comprises a rotating mechanism <NUM> for rotating the beverage container <NUM> (see particularly <FIG> and <FIG>).

The rotating mechanism <NUM> comprises a rotatable support <NUM> comprising two distanced axes <NUM>. The axes <NUM> are rotatable about their center axes <NUM>. Each of the axes <NUM> comprises a plurality of high friction (e.g. rubber) support rings <NUM> for supporting the beverage container <NUM>. The beverage container <NUM> particularly rests on the support rings <NUM>.

The distance D<NUM> between the axes <NUM> is about <NUM>. More important, however, is the distance D<NUM> between the outer circumferential surfaces of opposite support rings <NUM>. The distance D<NUM> is between <NUM> and <NUM> and preferably <NUM>. The distance D<NUM> is primarily governed by the minimum diameter of the beverage container <NUM> to be accommodated in the cooling chamber <NUM>, e.g. the diameter of a <NUM> liter Red Bull® can. Yet, also the largest diameter of the beverage container <NUM> to be accommodated in the cooling chamber <NUM> has some influence. The distance should be large enough to also stably support those beverage containers <NUM> having a larger diameter.

Moreover, the rotating mechanism <NUM> comprises an electric motor <NUM>. The electric motor <NUM> is located below the bottom <NUM> of the cooling chamber <NUM>. The electric motor <NUM> has a driving axis <NUM> parallel to the longitudinal extension of the axes <NUM> and protruding beyond the second transverse side wall <NUM> of the cooling chamber <NUM>. A driving gear <NUM> is mounted to the driving axis <NUM>.

Driven gears <NUM> are mounted at the respective ends of the axes <NUM> which protrude through the second transverse side wall <NUM>. The driven gears <NUM> meshing with the driving gear <NUM>. Due to the different diameters of the driven gears <NUM> and the driving gear <NUM>, they form a transmission <NUM>.

When a beverage container <NUM> is placed on the support rings <NUM> of the two axes <NUM> and the cooling process is started, the electric motor <NUM> gradually increases its speed. Thus, the rotational speed of the driving axis <NUM> gradually increases. The rotation of the driving axis <NUM> is transferred via the driving gear <NUM> to the driven gears <NUM>, whereby the axes <NUM> are rotated both in the same rotational direction. Due to the high friction support rings <NUM> in contact with the outer circumference of the beverage container <NUM>, also the beverage container <NUM> is rotated.

The rotational speed of the electric motor <NUM> may be up to <NUM>,<NUM> rpm. The rotational speed of the axes <NUM> may be up to <NUM>,<NUM> rpm. The rotational speed of the beverage container <NUM> may be up to <NUM> rpm. In a particular embodiment, the rotating mechanism is configured to rotate the beverage container between <NUM> and <NUM> rpm.

Even though one particular embodiment has been described above, it is clear that the following modifications are conceivable.

For example, a beverage cooler having only one cooling chamber <NUM> has been described. Yet, it is also possible to provide more than one cooling chamber <NUM>, e.g. two cooling chambers <NUM>. In this instance, however, the two cooling chambers <NUM> will be separated by an intermediate partition wall so as to obtain the beneficial heat transfer between the airflow through the cooling chamber and the beverage container <NUM>.

Moreover, it has been described to position most of the components of the refrigerating device <NUM> below the cooling chamber <NUM>. This is particularly advantageous when talking about a stand-alone unit to be placed on a kitchen countertop or table. Yet, the beverage cooler may as well be configured for being accommodated in a drawer. In this instance, the height H of the housing <NUM> should be not more than <NUM>. According to such an embodiment, the components of the refrigerating device <NUM> will most likely be arranged at the side of the cooling chamber <NUM>, i.e. adjacent one of the longitudinal sidewalls <NUM>.

Further, the airflow circuit has been described as a completely closed loop with no exchange of air between the airflow circuit and external air. Yet, it is also conceivable to provide the airflow circuit with an external air inlet and/or an external air outlet to introduce air from the outside of the housing <NUM> and/or exhaust air to the outside of the housing <NUM> and thereby increase the volume flow.

Additionally, instead of the axial fan <NUM> also a radial fan may be used with the benefit of increasing the volume flow. The same applies to the fans <NUM>.

Furthermore, the evaporator <NUM> and the fan <NUM> have been described as being positioned adjacent the first transverse side wall <NUM> of the cooling chamber <NUM>. Yet, the evaporator <NUM> and/or the fan <NUM> may also be positioned below the cooling chamber <NUM>. In this instance, but also in other cases, the return passage may pass along the bottom <NUM> of the cooling chamber <NUM> from the air outlet/-s <NUM> back to the air inlet <NUM> rather than along the longitudinal sidewalls <NUM> of the cooling chamber <NUM> as described.

Further, it would also be conceivable to incorporate the or part of the return passage in the lid <NUM>.

In addition, two return passages <NUM> have been described in the embodiment. Yet, more return passages or only one return passage are conceivable as well.

Another possible embodiment arranges the evaporator <NUM> and the fan <NUM> adjacent to one of the longitudinal sidewalls <NUM> of the cooling chamber <NUM> (see second embodiment) or provides an evaporator <NUM> and a fan <NUM> at each of the longitudinal sidewalls <NUM> of the cooling chamber <NUM>. In this case, but also in other cases, two air inlets <NUM> may be provided. In this case, but also in other cases, the air inlet <NUM> may be provided in the longitudinal sidewall/-s <NUM> instead of the first transverse side wall <NUM>.

Moreover, the above embodiment has been described in combination with a glass bottle as beverage container <NUM>. Yet, the beverage cooler <NUM> is not limited in this regard and any beverage container including bottles of any kind and cans can be cooled.

Another embodiment is described in <FIG>. In order to avoid repetition, only the major differences between the first and second embodiment are explained in the following.

Different to the first embodiment, the lid <NUM> is configured to be rotatable about a vertical axis of rotation <NUM> (see <FIG>). As a result, the lid <NUM> is comparable to a door. Thus, thermal isolation of the cooling chamber <NUM> by the hollow portion <NUM> may be simplified as compared to the first embodiment.

Further, the cooling chamber <NUM> omits the baffle plates <NUM> described with respect to the first embodiment. It is to be understood that either the first embodiment may omit the baffles <NUM> as well or the second embodiment may be provided with similar baffles.

Further, the air flow circuit is configured differently. As will be apparent from <FIG>, the evaporator <NUM> is arranged along one of the longitudinal side walls <NUM> of the cooling chamber <NUM>. As a result, the heat transfer surface may be enlarged as compared to the first embodiment improving cooling efficiency.

Additionally, two fans <NUM> are arranged above the top (top wall) <NUM> of the cooling chamber <NUM>. It is to be understood that only one fan or more than two fans <NUM> may be provided. The provision of two of the fans <NUM> provides for a larger air flow rate through the cooling chamber <NUM> as compared with one fan <NUM> embodied in the first embodiment. The fans <NUM> are radial fans (centrifugal fans). The air is drawn in axially (parallel to the drive axis) of the fan <NUM> and deflected by the rotation of the radial impeller through <NUM>° and blown out radially. The fans <NUM> are, hence, configured to suck air from the cooling chamber <NUM>. Accordingly, air outlets <NUM> are arranged in the top <NUM> and the fans <NUM> suck air from the cooling chamber through the air outlets <NUM> into the return chamber <NUM>.

Subsequently, the air flows through the return passage <NUM> in which the evaporator <NUM> is positioned. After having passed the evaporator <NUM>, the cooled air is reintroduced into the cooling chamber <NUM> via air inlets <NUM> positioned in the bottom <NUM> of the cooling chamber <NUM>.

As will be apparent from <FIG>, the cooled air is, hence, flown onto a circumferential surface of the beverage container (not shown in <FIG>) in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal center axis <NUM> of the beverage container. One of the air inlets <NUM> is even flush with the center axis <NUM> so that the cooled air is flown onto the circumferential surface of the beverage container in a radial direction.

The different airflow circuit and the different arrangement of the fans <NUM> and the evaporator <NUM> provide for a higher cooling efficiency and a larger air flow rate through the cooling chamber thereby enhancing the speed with which the fluid in the beverage container may be cooled. In addition, the length of the beverage cooler <NUM> along the longitudinal extension (longitudinal center axis <NUM>) of the beverage container may be reduced by the arrangement of the evaporator <NUM> along a side wall <NUM> of the cooling chamber <NUM> and arranging the fans <NUM> above the top <NUM> of the cooling chamber <NUM>.

As compared to the first embodiment, the second embodiment also implements differently configured support rings <NUM>. Whereas the support rings <NUM> in the first embodiment are cylindrical elements, the second embodiment embodies a plurality of O-rings.

Claim 1:
Beverage cooler (<NUM>; <NUM>) comprising:
a housing (<NUM>; <NUM>) having a housing body (<NUM>; <NUM>) and a lid (<NUM>; <NUM>), the housing body (<NUM>; <NUM>) and the lid (<NUM>; <NUM>) forming an elongated cooling chamber (<NUM>; <NUM>) having a length (Lc) larger than a width (Wc) and configured to accommodate only one bottle of wine or sparkling wine at a time so that a longitudinal center axis (<NUM>; <NUM>) of the bottle (<NUM>) is parallel to the length (Lc) of the cooling chamber (<NUM>; <NUM>), the cooling chamber having an insertion opening for inserting the bottle into the cooling chamber (<NUM>;<NUM>), wherein the lid (<NUM>; <NUM>) closes the insertion opening, wherein the cooling chamber (<NUM>; <NUM>) comprises an air inlet (<NUM>; <NUM>) and an air outlet (<NUM>; <NUM>),
an air flow circuit comprising the air inlet (<NUM>; <NUM>), the cooling chamber (<NUM>; <NUM>) and the air outlet (<NUM>; <NUM>),
a fan (<NUM>; <NUM>) arranged in the air flow circuit for inducing an air flow in the air flow circuit in an air flow direction,
a rotating mechanism (<NUM>; <NUM>) for rotating the bottle (<NUM>) about the longitudinal center axis (<NUM>; <NUM>); and
a refrigerating device (<NUM>) comprising a compressor (<NUM>), an evaporator (<NUM>; <NUM>), an expansion mechanism and a condenser (<NUM>) connected in a refrigerant circuit containing a refrigerant, wherein the evaporator (<NUM>; <NUM>) is positioned in the air flow circuit upstream of the air inlet (<NUM>; <NUM>) in the air flow direction for exchanging heat between the air flow and the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit, wherein the lid (<NUM>; <NUM>) is movably connected to the housing body for inserting the bottle into the cooling chamber (<NUM>;<NUM>) and the refrigerating device (<NUM>) is arranged in the housing (<NUM>; <NUM>).