Patent Description:
Coolers are used in many industries including for use in cooling food and beverages. Coolers generally take a long time to chill a product inside of the cooler. For example, some coolers can take upwards of <NUM> to <NUM> 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.

<CIT> discloses a refrigerator that uses a phase change material as a thermal store.

Further relevant prior art documents are <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT>.

The cooling system is configured to provide a substantially uniform temperature distribution in the cooling chamber.

According to another embodiment, the airflow through each of the one or more openings in the cooling system can be substantially similar.

According to another embodiment, the one or more openings can be sized, shaped, and/or spaced to provide substantially similar airflow through them.

According to another embodiment, 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.

According to another embodiment, 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 characteristic different from the first opening characteristic.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, given the benefit of the following description of certain exemplary embodiments of the cooling system disclosed herein, that at least certain embodiments disclosed herein have improved configurations suitable to provide enhanced benefits. These and other aspects, features and advantages of this disclosure or of certain embodiments of the disclosure will be further understood by those skilled in the art from the following description of exemplary embodiments taken in conjunction with the following drawings.

A more complete understanding of the present disclosure and the advantages thereof may be acquired by referring to the following description in consideration of the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numbers indicate like features, and wherein:.

<FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG> show embodiments being useful for understanding the invention, which are outside the subject-matter of the claims. <FIG> shows an embodiment according to the present invention, which disclose a cooling system according to claim <NUM>.

In the following description of the various embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration, various embodiments of the disclosure that may be practiced.

In the following description of various examples, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. Also, while the terms "top," "bottom," "front," "back," "side," "rear," and the like may be used in this specification to describe various example features and elements of the invention, these terms are used herein as a matter of convenience, e.g., based on the example orientations shown in the figures or the orientation during typical use. Additionally, the term "plurality," as used herein, indicates any number greater than one, either disjunctively or conjunctively, as necessary, up to an infinite number. Also, the reader is advised that the attached drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

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.

The various figures in this application illustrate examples of cooling systems according to this disclosure. When the same reference number appears in more than one drawing, that reference number is used consistently in this specification and the drawings refer to the same or similar parts throughout.

A cooling system <NUM> according to aspects of this disclosure is shown in at least <FIG>. The cooling system <NUM> generally includes a housing <NUM>, and as will be discussed in more detail below, an internal cooling chamber <NUM>, and a refrigeration system <NUM>. In one exemplary embodiment, the cooling system <NUM> 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 <NUM> can be configured to cool other items.

As shown in <FIG>, the cooling system <NUM> can have a housing <NUM> having a generally rectangular box shape including a front side <NUM>, a back side <NUM>, a top side <NUM>, a bottom side <NUM> and two sidewalls <NUM>, <NUM>. Although the housing <NUM> shown in <FIG> is a rectangular box shape, any other suitable housing shapes and sizes can be used, such as, a pyramid shape, spherical shape, and cylinder shape. The cooling system housing <NUM> can include outer walls <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, as shown for example in <FIG>. The outer walls can be constructed of any suitable materials including, for example, sheet metal, plastics and /or composites.

In one example, the housing <NUM> can be in the range of about <NUM> to about <NUM> tall; in the range of about <NUM> to about <NUM> deep; and in the range of about <NUM> to about <NUM> wide. Thus, the outer dimensions of the housing can define a volume of, for example, in the range of about <NUM> <NUM> to about <NUM> in<NUM>. However, the above dimensions are provided only as an example. As previously discussed the housing can be any suitable size and shape.

The cooling system <NUM> also includes an access door <NUM> for providing access to one or more interior chambers of the cooling system <NUM>. As shown in at least <FIG>, the top side <NUM> includes an access door <NUM> hingedly connected to the back side <NUM> of the housing <NUM> for providing selective access to one or more interior chambers of the cooling system <NUM>. While the door <NUM> shown in <FIG> is shown connected to the back side <NUM> using hinges <NUM>, any other system can be used to provide access to the interior of the cooling system <NUM>. In some embodiments, for example, the door <NUM> can be slidably connected to portions of the housing <NUM>, and in other embodiments the door <NUM> may not be structurally connected to the housing <NUM> and may simply be removable.

As shown in <FIG>, the door <NUM> can form a substantial portion, or in some cases more than <NUM>%, of the top side <NUM> of the housing. In other embodiments the door <NUM> can be larger or smaller or any size suitable to provide access to an interior portion of the cooling system <NUM>. Additionally, in other embodiments, the door <NUM> can also be included on any other surface of the housing <NUM>. For example, in some embodiments a door <NUM> can alternatively be included on the front <NUM>, back <NUM>, or sides <NUM>, <NUM> of the housing. In still other embodiments, the cooling system <NUM> may include multiple access doors <NUM>. Such multiple access doors <NUM> may provide multiple ways to access a single internal compartment or may provide access to multiple internal compartments.

The door <NUM> can also include a gasket <NUM> that forms a seal between the door <NUM> and the remainder of the housing <NUM> and acts to restrict heat from outside of the cooling system <NUM> from entering the cooling system <NUM>. 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 <NUM>. The access door <NUM> and connection mechanisms discussed herein are provided merely as examples, and any suitable access door <NUM> and/or mechanism to connect the door <NUM> to the housing <NUM> can be used.

As shown in at least the embodiment of the present invention in <FIG> and in an example in <FIG>, the cooling system <NUM> also includes insulation <NUM> between the cool area <NUM> of the cooling system <NUM> and the outside environment, including warmer areas <NUM> of the cooling system <NUM>. The insulation material <NUM> can be any suitable material. In one example, the insulation <NUM> is a low cost material such as polyurethane foam, but any other suitable materials can be used such as polystyrene foam. As shown in the embodiment of the present invention in <FIG> and in an example in <FIG>, the door <NUM> includes insulation material <NUM> throughout the entire door which may increase the efficiency of the cooling system <NUM>. However, in other embodiments, 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 <NUM>.

As described above, the cooling system <NUM> includes at least one interior cooling chamber <NUM>. As shown in the embodiment of the present invention in <FIG> and in an example in <FIG>, the cooling chamber <NUM> is defined by surfaces such as a top wall <NUM> (which as shown in <FIG> and <FIG> can be an interior wall of the door <NUM>), a bottom wall <NUM>, and sidewalls <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. The cooling chamber <NUM> also includes a surface or floor <NUM> that is substantially horizontal and is configured to hold a product to be cooled. As will be described in more detail below, the surface or floor <NUM> can include a one or more openings, or a plurality of openings, to permit air flow through the bottom of the cooling chamber <NUM>. The surfaces, such as, interior walls <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the chamber <NUM> can be constructed of any suitable material such as sheet metal or plastic. As shown in <FIG>, the bottom wall <NUM> may be made at a slight angle relative to the horizontal direction and may be operably associated with a drain <NUM>. Any liquid which falls through the floor <NUM> to the bottom wall <NUM> can be forced through gravity towards the drain <NUM> which can have an outlet on the exterior of the cooling system <NUM>.

The interior cooling chamber <NUM> used for cooling a product defined by the top wall <NUM>, sidewalls <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and the surface or floor <NUM> in some examples can be in the range of about <NUM> to about <NUM> tall, in the range of about <NUM> to about <NUM> deep, and in the range of about <NUM> to about <NUM> wide. Thus, the cooling chamber <NUM> can define a volume of, for example, in the range of about <NUM> <NUM> to about <NUM><NUM>. The above dimensions of the interior cooling chamber <NUM> are provided only as an example. The cooling chamber <NUM> discussed herein can be any suitable size and shape.

As discussed above, in other embodiments the cooling system <NUM> can include more than one cooling chamber <NUM>. For example, in some embodiments the cooling chamber <NUM> can include multiple cooling chambers <NUM> each having a separate access door <NUM>. In such embodiments, each separate cooling chamber <NUM> 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. In some embodiments, for example, 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 <NUM> also includes a refrigeration system <NUM> used to cool the cooling chamber <NUM>. The refrigeration system <NUM> can be located within the housing <NUM>. In some embodiments the refrigeration system can be separate from the cooling chamber <NUM> and in other embodiments portions of the refrigeration system <NUM> can be separate from the cooling chamber <NUM>. In still other embodiments, portions of the refrigeration system <NUM> can be separate from the housing <NUM>.

The cooling system according to claim <NUM> includes a compressor, condenser, and evaporator.

According to the embodiment of the present invention in <FIG>, the refrigeration system <NUM> includes a compressor <NUM>, a condenser <NUM> and an evaporator <NUM>. The compressor <NUM> and condenser <NUM> as shown in <FIG> are located outside or separate from the cooling chamber <NUM> and can be located in fluid communication with ambient air outside of the cooling system <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the evaporator <NUM> is located outside of the cooling chamber <NUM> but in fluid communication with cooling chamber <NUM>.

The refrigeration system <NUM>, shown in <FIG>, 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.

In a typical refrigeration cycle the refrigerant generally arrives at the compressor <NUM> as a cool, low-pressure gas. The compressor <NUM> compresses the refrigerant raising the temperature of the refrigerant. The refrigerant then generally exits the compressor <NUM> as a hot, high pressure gas and flows into the condenser <NUM>. The condenser <NUM> can include a condenser fan <NUM> that can be used to direct air over the condenser <NUM> and direct warm air <NUM> out of the cooling system <NUM>. The warm air <NUM> can exit the cooling system housing <NUM> through a vent <NUM> in one or more of the outer walls <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the housing <NUM>.

The refrigerant then flows to the evaporator <NUM> where it can change from a liquid to a gas. This process can reduce the temperature of the refrigerant, thus cooling the evaporator <NUM>. The evaporator <NUM> may include a plurality of coils and/or fins or other heat sink devices that can improve the efficiency of the evaporator <NUM>.

The refrigeration system <NUM>, includes a fan <NUM>. The fan <NUM> can be upstream of the evaporator as shown in <FIG> or down downstream of the evaporator, and is used to draw (or in some embodiments, push) air <NUM> from the cooling chamber <NUM> and direct air over the evaporator <NUM>, thus cooling the air <NUM>. The fan <NUM> also directs cool air <NUM> out of the evaporator <NUM> and back into the cooling chamber <NUM>.

As is well known, 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 <FIG> and <FIG>, however, the cooling system <NUM> includes an air intake vent <NUM> positioned in an upper portion of the cooling chamber <NUM>. The intake vent <NUM> can be centered at least in the top <NUM>% of the cooling chamber <NUM>, or at least in the top <NUM>% of the cooling chamber <NUM>, or at least in the top <NUM>% of the cooling chamber <NUM>, or at least in the top <NUM>% of the cooling chamber. As discussed above, in some embodiments the direction of air flow may be reversed. In such embodiments it is understood that the intake vent <NUM> acts as an exhaust or discharge vent.

In one exemplary embodiment, the intake vent <NUM> can be a circular opening having a diameter in the range of about <NUM> to about <NUM>. In other embodiments the intake vent <NUM> can be any other suitable size or shape including square, rectangular shapes, oval and other shapes. In some embodiments, the intake vent <NUM> can include a screen <NUM> or other device restricting particles and other objects from accessing the fan <NUM> from the cooling chamber <NUM>.

As discussed above, the fan <NUM> pulls (or in some embodiments, pushes) air <NUM> through the evaporator (or other cold surface) <NUM> which cools the air. The cool air <NUM> is then directed through a duct <NUM>. However, as discussed above, and as will be discussed in more detail below, in some embodiments, the direction of air flow can be reversed.

As shown in <FIG>, the duct <NUM> can have a substantially vertical section <NUM> wherein air from the evaporator <NUM> travels in a substantially vertical downward direction adjacent to the cooling chamber <NUM>, and a substantially horizontal section <NUM> wherein air from the evaporator <NUM> travels in a substantially horizontal direction below the cooling chamber <NUM>. The substantially vertical portion of the duct <NUM> can be defined by a rear wall <NUM>, a forward wall <NUM>, and sidewalls <NUM> and <NUM>. In some embodiments the forward wall <NUM> can be the opposite side of an internal wall <NUM> of the cooling chamber <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. In some embodiments, the rear wall <NUM> can include one or more portions that are inclined and not substantially vertical. The sidewalls <NUM> and <NUM> can define the width of the duct <NUM>. The width may, in some embodiments, be similar to the width of the cooling chamber <NUM>, but in other embodiments the width may be greater than or less than the width of the cooling chamber.

The substantially horizontal portion <NUM> of the duct <NUM> passes under the cooling chamber <NUM>. The substantially horizontal portion <NUM> of the duct <NUM> can be defined by sidewalls <NUM>, <NUM>, the bottom wall <NUM> and a bottom side of the floor <NUM>.

The duct <NUM> can also include one or more mechanisms to affect the flow of air within the duct <NUM>. For example, the duct <NUM> can include one or more baffles <NUM>. The baffles <NUM> as shown in <FIG>, are arranged in the direction of air flow and can act to separate the flow of air within the duct <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the baffles are located between the floor <NUM> and the bottom wall <NUM>; however baffles <NUM> may be placed at any location within the duct <NUM>. The baffles <NUM> can be constructed of any suitable material such as sheet metal or plastic.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the duct <NUM> has a generally rectangular cross-sectional shape. However, in other embodiments, the duct <NUM> 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 <NUM> to the cooling chamber <NUM>. In still other embodiments, the duct <NUM> may have any other suitable size, shape, and/or configuration.

As discussed above, the surface or floor <NUM> includes a one or more openings or a plurality of openings <NUM>. The openings <NUM> can be configured such that the airflow from the duct <NUM>, or refrigeration system <NUM>, through each individual opening of the plurality of openings <NUM> is substantially similar. In embodiments of the cooling system <NUM> described herein air flow across the entire cross-section of the cooling chamber <NUM> may be substantially equal. Additionally, the openings <NUM> and/or floor <NUM> can be configured such that there is uniform temperature distribution within the cooling chamber <NUM> which can uniformly cool packages or containers within the cooling chamber <NUM> to substantially uniform temperatures. Substantially equal airflow through each of the openings <NUM> can be accomplished by varying characteristics of the openings <NUM> such as the opening size, shape, and spacing arrangement, and through use of the baffles <NUM> to channel the flow of air within the duct <NUM>. For example the openings <NUM> 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.

As shown in <FIG>, the openings <NUM> can be spaced in a grid pattern and each of the openings can be substantially circular in shape. As shown in <FIG> a first portion <NUM> of the plurality of the openings <NUM> can have a first size, shape, and/or spacing arrangement and a second portion of the openings <NUM>, which is downstream in the direction of air flow of the first portion, can have a second size, shape, and/or spacing arrangement. As shown in <FIG>, the shape of the openings <NUM> in the first and second portions <NUM>, <NUM> can be similar, but in other embodiments the shape of the openings <NUM> of the first and second portions can be different. As shown in <FIG>, the size of the openings <NUM> in the first and second portions <NUM>, <NUM> can be different. In some embodiments, the openings <NUM> in the first portion <NUM> can be smaller than the openings <NUM> in the second portion <NUM>. For example, the first portion of openings <NUM> can have a diameter of about <NUM> or in the range of about <NUM> to <NUM> and the second portion of openings <NUM> can have a diameter of about <NUM> or in the range of about <NUM> to about <NUM>. Similarly, in some embodiments, the spacing arrangement of the plurality of openings <NUM> in each of the first and second portions can be similar or can be different. In some embodiments, for example, the plurality of openings <NUM> in the first portion may be spaced closer together or further apart than the plurality of openings <NUM> in the second portion.

In other embodiments, examples of which are shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG> the openings <NUM> in the surface or floor <NUM> can have other sizes, shapes, and/or locations that can provide substantially similar air flow through each of the plurality of openings <NUM>. Similarly these surfaces or floors <NUM> can be configured such that there is uniform temperature distribution within the cooling chamber <NUM> which can uniformly cool packages or containers within the cooling chamber <NUM> to substantially uniform temperatures. For example, as shown in <FIG>, the plurality of openings can be circular having a different arrangement and different sizes than that shown in <FIG>. Additionally, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG> the plurality of openings can have different shapes, sizes, and configurations. As shown in <FIG>, for example, the plurality of openings can be square or rectangular shaped, and as shown, for example in <FIG>, the plurality of openings <NUM> can be hexagonal shaped. Any other suitable shapes can be used including, for example, triangular openings, and octagonal openings. Similarly, any suitable spacing arrangement and sized openings <NUM> can be used.

In some embodiments, the floor <NUM> can have a thickness greater than that shown in, for example, <FIG>. For example, as shown in <FIG>, a cross-section of which is shown in <FIG>, the floor <NUM> can include a packed bed. The packed bed can be composed of any suitable material such that air <NUM> can flow through the packed bed. Similar to the floors <NUM> discussed above, the packed bed includes openings <NUM> through which air <NUM> from the refrigeration system <NUM> can flow. Cool air flow <NUM> through the packed bed can be uniform and can result in uniform temperature distribution within the cooling chamber <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the plurality of openings <NUM> can be adjustable. Adjustable openings may be used to adjust the cooling system <NUM> depending on the type and/or size of item to be cooled. For example soda cans may be cooled more efficiently with a floor <NUM> having openings <NUM> which are smaller and/or more closely spaced together than a floor <NUM> used for soda bottles.

In some embodiments, the floor <NUM> may be removably engaged within the cooling chamber <NUM> such that a user could install a first floor <NUM> suited to cool a first product or install a separate second floor <NUM> when cooling a second product. In other embodiments, the floor opening configuration may be adjustable within the cooling system <NUM>. For example, in some embodiments, the floor <NUM> 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 <NUM> through which air can pass. The opening pattern can thus be adjusted to provide the most efficient air flow possible. In such a system, the adjustment of the floor openings <NUM> can be manual or automatic. For example, in a manual arrangement, a user can manually slide one of the first and second floor pieces. In an automatic system the cooling system <NUM> may include one or more sensors to that can determine the optimum floor arrangement and adjust the floor to the optimum floor arrangement.

As discussed above, cooling system <NUM>, cooling chamber <NUM>, and refrigeration system <NUM> can be any suitable size and shape. As shown in <FIG> the refrigeration system <NUM> includes a compressor, condenser, and evaporator. Other embodiments of the cooling system <NUM> are schematically shown in <FIG>.

As shown in <FIG>, the refrigeration system <NUM> can be any system suitable for providing cooling air flow <NUM> to the cooling chamber <NUM>. As discussed above, the refrigeration system <NUM> is a compressor based cooling system as shown in <FIG>.

In still other embodiments, as shown in <FIG>, the direction of airflow can be reversed compared to the airflow shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. As shown in <FIG>, cooling airflow <NUM> can exit the refrigeration system <NUM> and enter the cooling chamber <NUM> in an upper portion of the cooling chamber <NUM>. The cooling air <NUM> can then flow in a generally downward direction through the openings <NUM> in the floor <NUM> and return to the refrigeration system <NUM>.

Additionally, in some examples as shown in <FIG>, the cooling system <NUM> can include one or more openings or a plurality of openings <NUM> in one or more surfaces including sidewalls <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> through which cool air flow <NUM> from the refrigeration system <NUM> can flow. In some embodiments there can be openings in surfaces including the floor <NUM> and at least one of the sidewalls <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. In such embodiments cool airflow <NUM> through the openings <NUM> in the floor <NUM> and openings <NUM> in the sidewalls <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be substantially similar which can allow for uniform temperature distribution in the cooling chamber <NUM>. In other embodiments, there may be openings <NUM> in only at least one of the sidewalls <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and not the floor <NUM>. In such embodiments cool airflow <NUM> through the one or more openings <NUM> in the at least one sidewall can be substantially similar which can allow for uniform temperature distribution in the cooling chamber <NUM>.

In still other embodiments, and as discussed above, the cooling system <NUM> can have any other suitable size and/or configuration. As shown in <FIG>, the cooling chamber <NUM> can, for example, be located above the refrigeration system <NUM>. Cool air <NUM> from the refrigeration system <NUM> can flow upwards or downwards through the floor <NUM> and return to the refrigeration system through an inlet in the cooling chamber <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the cooling system <NUM> can also include a temperature sensor <NUM> (not shown), for measuring temperature inside the cooling system <NUM>. The refrigeration system <NUM> can be controlled based on the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor <NUM>. For example, the refrigeration system <NUM> can turn on when the temperature sensor <NUM> senses a temperature that is too high and tum off when the temperature sensor <NUM> senses that a set point temperature has been reached. In some embodiments, the set point temperature may be in a range of about <NUM> to about <NUM>. Automatic control of the refrigeration system <NUM> using a temperature sensor <NUM> can, in some embodiments, improve the efficiency of the cooling system.

In some embodiments, the cooling system <NUM> can include a logo or other design on one or more of the outer walls <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. In some embodiments the logo or other design can include one or more lights, such as, a light-emitting diode (LED). In still other embodiments, 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. In one embodiment the first period of time may be about <NUM> seconds or in the range of about <NUM> to <NUM> seconds, the second period of time may be about <NUM> seconds or in the range of about <NUM> to <NUM> seconds, and the third period of time may be about <NUM> seconds or in the range of about <NUM> to <NUM> 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 <NUM> as described herein provide several advantages. In some embodiments, a cooling system as described herein can significantly reduce the time to cool a product within the cooling system <NUM>. For example, in some embodiments, cooling systems as described herein can cool beverage bottles from a range of about <NUM> to <NUM> to a range of about <NUM> to <NUM> in about <NUM> to <NUM> hours. Thus, in some embodiments, cooling systems <NUM> as described herein can cool products at least five times faster than other cooling systems.

As discussed above, warm air rises and cool air sinks, thus, most conventional 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 <NUM> and force cool air through the floor <NUM> 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 <NUM> and can increase the cooling efficiency of the cooling system <NUM>. Cooling systems <NUM> as discussed herein can reduce the amount of time required to cool a product by at least <NUM>%, or at least <NUM>%, or at least <NUM>% compared to a cooling system that introduces cool air in an upper portion of a cooling chamber. However, as discussed herein, in some embodiments, 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.

Additionally, cooling systems described herein can retain the temperature within the cooling chamber after the refrigeration system is turned off better than current cooling systems. In some embodiments, for example, the cooling system <NUM> may warm at substantially lower rate compared to a normal cooler. For example, the cooling systems described herein may warm the product only to <NUM> to <NUM> after six hours without turning on the refrigeration system. The cooling system <NUM>, portions of the cooling chamber <NUM> include a phase change material. Many 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 <NUM> is active the phase change material can be allowed to cool and/or freeze. Once the refrigeration system <NUM> is turned off, the phase change material can help to retain the cool temperature within the cooling system <NUM> by absorbing heat as the phase change material changes from a solid to a liquid. The phase change material is incorporated into any portion of the cooling chamber including into the top wall <NUM>, bottom wall <NUM>, sidewalls <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and/or floor <NUM>. Use of a phase change material in the cooling chamber <NUM> increases the ability of the cooling system <NUM> to retain a cool temperature without use of the refrigeration system <NUM>.

Additionally, because the time required to cool down a product within the cooler may be reduced, this can increase overall cooler efficiency based on the amount of product cooled. For example, in some embodiments 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 <NUM> is less expensive to fabricate, operate and maintain.

Claim 1:
A cooling system (<NUM>) comprising:
a cooling chamber (<NUM>) defined by sidewalls (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), a floor (<NUM>), and a top wall (<NUM>), wherein at least one surface of the cooling chamber defines one or more openings (<NUM>) and is configured to hold at least one container;
wherein the cooling system (<NUM>) further comprises a phase change material disposed in at least one of the sidewalls (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), the floor (<NUM>), or the top wall (<NUM>) of the cooling chamber; and
wherein the cooling system (<NUM>) further comprises
a refrigeration system (<NUM>) configured to cool the cooling chamber (<NUM>) by forcing cool airflow through the one or more openings (<NUM>), wherein the refrigeration system (<NUM>) further comprises a condenser (<NUM>) disposed laterally adjacent to the cooling chamber (<NUM>) at a vertical wall defining a cool air duct (<NUM>) configured to fluidly connect the refrigeration system and the openings (<NUM>), wherein the cool air duct (<NUM>) is disposed between the condenser (<NUM>) and the cooling chamber (<NUM>), wherein the refrigeration system (<NUM>) further comprises a compressor (<NUM>) and an evaporator (<NUM>) disposed above a plane defined by the floor and positioned such that at least one sidewall is between the evaporator (<NUM>) and the cooling chamber (<NUM>), wherein the refrigeration system (<NUM>) further comprises a fan (<NUM>) and an air intake vent (<NUM>) in a top portion of the cooling chamber (<NUM>), the air intake vent being disposed in the at least one sidewall. wherein the cool air duct (<NUM>) includes a substantially vertical portion located at least partially adjacent to the cooling chamber (<NUM>) and a substantially horizontal portion located at least partially below the surface, wherein the refrigeration system (<NUM>) is configured to cool the cooling chamber (<NUM>) by forcing cool airflow through the cool air duct (<NUM>) and through the one or more openings (<NUM>), and
wherein the phase change material is configured to maintain a desired temperature in the cooling chamber when the refrigeration system is not operational.