BRPI0804877A2 - rapid cooling device for use in a cold compartment of a conventional type refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a rapid cooling device (1) which, when allocated in a cooled compartment of a refrigerator, provides for the cooling of an article (A) at higher speeds than that obtained by allocating the article directly to the compartment. cold. The device (1) comprises a housing (2) for receiving at least one article to be cooled (A), an air inlet for directing a cold air stream into the device (1), an adjacent cold air passage or inside the housing (2); and an air outlet for directing air out of the device (1). In a preferred embodiment, the air passage is provided with fins (3) integral with the housing (2) to enhance heat exchange between the articles (A) and the cold air stream passing through the air passage.

Description

"QUICK COOLING DEVICE kaiw _COOLD COMPARTMENT OF A CONVENTIONAL TYPE COOLER"

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a rapid cooling device for use in freezers, refrigerators, freezers or the like. More particularly, the present invention relates to a rapid cooling equipment which, when allocated in a cooled compartment of a refrigerator, provides for the cooling of an article at higher speeds than that obtained by allocating the article directly to the cooled compartment. cold.

Background of the Invention

Refrigerators comprising separate compartments for maintaining products at different temperatures are known in the art. This is the case, for example, with combined refrigerators having a refrigerator compartment and a freezer compartment, the freezer compartment being kept at a much lower temperature than the refrigerator compartment.

When wishing to perform rapid cooling of a specific article, the user tends to store such article in the lower temperature compartment of his cooler. Thus, if the user wishes, for example, to quickly cool a weakened can or bottle, he tends to place it in the freezer compartment of his refrigerator until it reaches the desired temperature for consumption.

Of course, while the freezer compartment is kept at a lower temperature than the refrigerator compartment, in most cases this temperature is not sufficient to provide rapid cooling of the beverage.

Among the solutions known to provide rapid cooling of beverage containers, the most widespread are those using specific cooling coils or refrigerants. Such solutions are described, for example, in PI0403876-2 and PI9400104-9.

Commercial refrigerators comprising compartments specially developed for the storage of beverage containers are also known. However, such refrigerators are only intended to keep the container at a suitable temperature for consumption and not to aim for rapid cooling of this container. This is the case, for example, with the solution described in document PI0208255-1. The refrigerator in this document combines a thermosiphon with a stirling refrigerator to cool a compartment in a beverage vending machine.

In view of the above, there remains a need for a rapid cooling system for use in conventional type refrigerators which is capable of providing rapid cooling of an article to be consumed efficiently and at low cost. A rapid cooling device which can be used on any type of household refrigerator is also desired.

In view of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a rapid cooling device for use in conventional type refrigerators which provides rapid cooling of an article to be consumed.

It is a second object of the present invention to provide a rapid cooling device for use with a conventional type refrigerator that can easily and efficiently be used in the freezer compartment of a household refrigerator.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a rapid cooling device for use with a conventional type refrigerator that has a modular character and can be easily removed from the refrigerator when it is not desired to use it.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a rapid cooling device for use with a conventional type refrigerator that does not excessively compromise the space of the cold compartment intended for product storage.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a rapid cooling device for use with a conventional type cooler which has a high cooling efficiency.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention achieves the above objectives by means of a rapid cooling device for use in a cold compartment of a conventional type refrigerator comprising:

a housing to receive at least one article to be cooled,

an air inlet for directing a cold air stream into the device;

a cold air passage adjacent or interior to the housing; and

an air outlet to direct cold air out of the device,

In a preferred embodiment, the housing has a tubular, U-shaped cross-sectional configuration with fins projecting radially out of the housing.

The fins may protrude from the entire outer surface of the housing, or only from part of the extension of the outer surface of the housing. Similarly, the fins may be in the form of substantially straight radial projections or substantially curved radial projections.

In one embodiment of the invention, a first housing part comprises radially projecting fins from a circumferential housing profile part, and a second housing part comprises radially projecting fins from a profile part housing circumference which is diametrically opposed to the circumferential portion from which the fins of the first housing part project.

In a preferred embodiment, the housing and fins are aluminum.

The device may further comprise a housing enclosing the housing, in which case the air inlet and the air outlet are provided in the housing of the housing so that the cold air passageway is adjacent to the housing. In a preferred embodiment, the housing is made of plastics material.

In another alternative embodiment of the present invention, housing is formed by a semicircular housing element and a drawer portion, the housing element may comprise radially outwardly extending fins.

The drawer portion may be slidably fixed to the circular housing member or a housing surrounding the housing member.

The present invention also contemplates a quick-use cooling device for use in a cold compartment of a conventional type refrigerator comprising:

a housing for receiving at least one article to be cooled; a circulation channel for a refrigerant extending at least partially through the portion of the housing receiving the articles to be cooled; an air passage arranged in the upper part of the housing.

The housing of the device may be formed by a U-shaped wall and a top wall, with air passage being formed by fins arranged on the top wall.

In one embodiment of the invention, the U-shaped wall comprises two juxtaposed plates, and the circulation channel is formed between the juxtaposed walls.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The figures show:

Figure 1 - Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a first embodiment of the rapid cooling device of the present invention;

Figure 2 - Figure 2 shows an exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of the rapid cooling device of the present invention;

Figure 3 - Figure 3 illustrates a comparative graph showing the efficiency of the device of the present invention as compared to a traditional method of cooling an article using a conventional refrigerator;

Figures 4a and 4b. Figures 4a and 4b illustrate, respectively, a front view and a perspective view of the housing of a third embodiment of the rapid cooling device of the present invention;

Figures 5a and 5b - Figures 5a and 5b illustrate, respectively, a front view and a perspective view of a possible housing variation of the third embodiment of the rapid cooling device of the present invention;

Figure 6 - Figure 6 illustrates a perspective view of the third rapid cooling device embodiment of the present invention;

Figures 7a and 7b - Figures 7a and 7b illustrate schematic views of the rapid cooling device of the present invention when in use in a conventional type refrigerator;

Figure 8 - Figure 8 illustrates a comparative graph showing the efficiency of the third embodiment device of the present invention (can 2) when compared to a traditional method of cooling an article using a conventional cooler (can 1). );

Figure 9a - Figure 9a shows a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the rapid cooling device of the present invention;

Figure 9b - Figure 9b illustrates an exploded perspective view of the fourth embodiment of the rapid cooling device of the present invention;

Figure 10 - Figure 10 illustrates the cross-sectional profile of the fourth embodiment of the rapid cooling device of the present invention;

Figures 10a and 10b - Figures 10a and 10b illustrate perspective views of the housing parts that make up the housing of the fourth embodiment of the rapid cooling device of the present invention;

Figure 11a - Figure 11a shows a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the rapid cooling device of the present invention, the closed configuration of the device being illustrated;

Figure 11b - Figure 11b illustrates a perspective view of the fifth embodiment of the rapid cooling device of the present invention, illustrating the open configuration of the device;

Figure 11c - Figure 11c illustrates an exploded perspective view of the fourth embodiment of the rapid cooling device of the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Invention

The present invention will hereinafter be described in more detail based on the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings.

Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of the rapid cooling device of the present invention. In this embodiment, device 1 comprises a housing 2 for receiving articles A which will be rapidly cooled. It should be noted that although in the embodiments shown such articles comprise beverage cans, similar articles may be cooled by the device proposed in the present invention.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, housing 2 receiving articles A is the housing of the cooling device itself. The articles are housed vertically in the housing, and a cold air stream is circulated at the top of the housing. The upper part of the housing 2 is provided with openings and fins 3 for the passage of cold air.

In this embodiment, the rapid cooling device basically functions as a thermosiphon (evaporation and condensation principle), evaporating in the region where there is a high thermal load, the beverages to be cooled, and rejecting this heat to the top, in which the fins are present. to accelerate heat exchange.

For this, a coolant is circulated in channel 5. This coolant passes through the cans A, removing heat from them. Upon reaching the top of the housing 2 (region with fins 3 for cold air passage), the absorbed heat is discarded to the outside of the housing.

Channel 5 further comprises an inlet port for receiving a liquid refrigerant cargo tube 18.

Thus, in the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figure 1, the housing part 2 receiving the articles acts as the thermosiphon evaporator and the housing part comprising the fins 3 for cold air passage acts as the thermosiphon condenser.

Figure 2 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the device of the present invention.

In this embodiment, the housing 2 comprises a U-shaped wall 12 closed by a top wall 13. In this embodiment, the U-shaped wall 12 comprises juxtaposed U-shaped plates, whereby the channel for passage is formed between the plates. of refrigerant. The cans A are arranged supported on the U-shaped wall 12.

The top wall 13 comprises fins 3 for cold air passage. Thus, the coolant passing through the U-shaped wall 12 is responsible for removing the heat from the cans A, and this heat is discarded to the top of the housing, where it meets the top wall 13. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1a, the fins 3 in the top wall accelerate heat exchange.

The device of figure 2 may further comprise a securing cover 11 for securing the device to the upper wall of the refrigerator or freezer. In the illustrated embodiment, said fixing cover 11 comprises a metal plate with fixing means 17.

The housing can be frontally closed by a cover 6. The cover 6 has an opening 7 for the passage of articles A and a hollow part 8 to aid the circulation of air through the cooling device.

The devices of Figures 1 and 2 of the present invention can be used in both the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment of the refrigerator, and of course the device will exhibit greater efficiency when used in the freezer compartment.

Figure 3 illustrates a comparative graph showing the efficiency of the first embodiment of the rapid cooling device 1 of the present invention as compared to the commonly used method of placing a beverage in the bottom of the freezer compartment of a refrigerator.

As can be seen from this graph, while the conventional method takes about 44 minutes to cool a can of alcoholic beverage at a temperature of 50 ° C, the device 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is capable of cooling the can to it. temperature in an average time of 18 minutes.

As is clear from Figures 1 and 2, the device of the present invention is modular in character, and can be used with any type of conventional refrigerator, including household refrigerators.

Figures 4a to 7b show a third embodiment of the rapid cooling device 1 of the present invention. In this embodiment, device 1 comprises a housing 2 for receiving the articles to be cooled, and in the illustrated embodiment the articles comprise beverage cans.

As can be seen from figures 4a and 4b, housing 2 has a tubular configuration, preferably having an inverted "U" shaped profile. This tubular configuration chosen for the housing is intended to provide a larger contact area between the housing wall and the surface of the article A to be packed (canned), which will help to intensify the heat exchange between the article and the housing. cold draft adjacent to the housing.

In order to enhance the heat exchange between the housing and the cold air stream, further fins 3 projecting radially from the housing 3 are provided. The fins 3 are preferably integral with the housing 2, and are designed and sized accordingly. Provide a good contact surface with the cold air stream, intensifying the heat exchange.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 4a and 4b, the fins 3 comprise substantially curved radial projections. Already in the embodiment illustrated in figures 5a and 5b, the wings 3 comprise substantially straight radial projections. In this regard, it should be understood that the fins 3 may comprise any shape and size desired, with the shapes which provide the largest airflow contact surface being preferred, while respecting the sizing and design characteristics of the device. In addition, as can be understood by those skilled in the art, the fins 3 may protrude from the entire circumference and extent of the tubular profile of the housing 2, or only from part of that profile.

Preferably, both housing 2 and fins 3 are manufactured from extruded aluminum, however any material with a high coefficient of thermal conductivity may be used within the scope of the present invention.

As illustrated in figures 6 to 7b, device 1 may further comprise a cover housing 4 surrounding the housing 2. The housing 4 comprises an air inlet (not shown) and an air outlet 8 which, together with the housing 2 and the body of the carcass 4 defines an air passage for a cold air stream. The housing 4 may be made of any suitable material, such as a plastic or metallic material, with plastic being the preferred material.

The housing 4 has a through opening 15 extending throughout the longitudinal length of the housing. This opening 15 has the function of allowing the user to access the cans or articles stored inside the device 1. Thus, to remove the can packed in the device, the user inserts the fingers through the opening, pulling the can to be removed.

It should be noted further that although Figures 6 to 7b illustrate an embodiment that makes use of the cover housing 4, such a housing may be dispensed with, since the device 1 of the present invention would be functional even if constructed only with the housing 2 and the fins 3. In fact, housing 4 provides additional advantages to device 1: it provides a better aesthetic finish, provides greater structural strength to the device and, together with the outer surface of housing 1, forms a duct that directs the device. airflow for contacting the fins 3. In addition, the housing 4 may be provided with a fastening means (not shown in these figures), which will aid the attachment of the device to the upper wall of the freezer or freezer.

Figures 7a and 7b illustrate the device of the present invention applied to a conventional type (partially illustrated) cooler. As can be seen in these figures,

In other words, the air stream enters the air inlet (not shown) at one end of the housing 4, passes through an air passage (air duct) formed between the housing 2 and the housing 4, and exits through an air outlet 8 formed at the other end of the housing 4. Air flow, the air contacts the fins 3, which intensifies the heat exchange between the articles A and the air stream.

Figure 8 illustrates a comparative graph showing the efficiency of the second embodiment of the rapid cooling device 1 of the present invention as compared to the commonly used method of placing a beverage in the bottom of the freezer compartment of a refrigerator.

As can be seen from this graph, while the conventional method (can 1) takes about 42 minutes to cool a beverage can to a temperature of 3 ° C, device 1 according to the third embodiment of the present invention (can 1) It is able to cool the can to that same temperature in an average time of 25 minutes and thirty seconds.

Figures 9a to 11 show a fourth embodiment of the rapid cooling device of the present invention, which embodiment is indicated for overcooling an article A. In the embodiment illustrated in figures 9a to 11, device 1 is for cooling two parts. drink cans.

In this embodiment, the fins 3 are arranged asymmetrically in the housing 2, such asymmetry corresponding to the amount of articles A to be cooled. Indeed, as can be seen from Figures 9a and 9b, a first part of housing 2a, corresponding in extension to a first article to be packed, has fins only half the circumference of housing 2, while a second part of housing 2b, corresponding in extension to a second article to be packed, it has fins of the opposite accommodation type to that half having fins in the first housing part 2a.

This asymmetry can be seen in figure 10a, where the transverse profile of the first housing part 2a is shown. As can be seen from this figure, the fins 3 extend from one half of the circumference of the inverted "U" housing.

As illustrated in Figure 10a, housing 2 may further comprise housing 4 securing means 19 which cooperate to engage with corresponding means in housing 4. While in the illustrated embodiment such means comprise a male-female sliding fit, those versed It will be understood in the art that any equivalent means could be used within the scope of the present invention.

It should be noted that in order to achieve this third embodiment of the device of the present invention, device 2 may be manufactured as two identical parts by simply connecting the two parts in opposite positions. Indeed, as shown in Figures 10b and 10b, housing parts 2a and 2b are nothing more than two identical parts arranged in reverse positions.

Likewise, the housing 4 of this embodiment may be mounted as two identical housing parts 4a and 4b (see figures 9a and 9b) and arranged in reverse positions. In that case, each carcass portion 4a, 4b would comprise only one apertured end wall. For the first part, the opening would be the air inlet of the device airway, and for the second part, the opening would be the air outlet of the device airway.

The choice of this asymmetric configuration for the fourth embodiment of the device is intended to ensure that the cold air stream passing through the two cans stored therein, ensuring the same heat distribution throughout the two cans.

Figures 11a to 11c illustrate a fifth embodiment of the rapid cooling device of the present invention. The embodiment illustrated in figures 11a to 11c is similar to that illustrated in figures 9a to 10b, with the same reference numerals being used to denote similar parts.

In that embodiment, the housing is formed by a semicircular profile common housing member 20a, 20b and a drawer portion 16 slidably fitted to the housing portions 4a, 4b. As will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art, although the figures illustrate the drawer portion fitted to the housing portions 4a, 4b, the drawer portion 16 could be fitted directly to the housing member 20a, 20b.

As in the configuration illustrated in figures 9a and 9b, the fins 3 are arranged halfway around the circumference of the housing member portions 20a, 20b, and those housing portions are actually two identical housing member portions arranged in reverse position.

Also in the same manner as in the embodiment illustrated in figures 9a and 9b, the housing of the device is formed by two housing parts 4a and 4b. However, the housing parts of the embodiment illustrated in figures 11a and 11b are sized to surround only the semicircular housing member 20.

Thus, when the user wants to insert or remove items A from quick-cooling device 1, they only need to pull the U-shaped drawer 16.

In the embodiment illustrated in figures 11a to 11c, the upper wall of the housing 4 may comprise securing means 17 to assist in securing the device to the upper wall of the freezer or freezer.

Of course, although the embodiment illustrated in figures 11a to 11c shows a housing and a housing divided into two parts, they could be constructed in a single piece as provided in the embodiment of figures 4a to 7b, with in this case the upper part of housing 2 it would have a semicircular profile and the carcass 4 would surround the semicircular housing.

It is to be understood that the description provided on the basis of the above figures refers only to possible embodiments for the rapid cooling device of the present invention, and the actual scope of the object of the invention is defined in the appended claims.

Claims (18)

1. Rapid cooling device (1) for use in a cooling compartment of a conventional type refrigerator. CHARACTERIZED by the fact that it comprises: a housing (2) for receiving at least one article to be cooled (A), an air inlet for directing a cold air stream into the device (1): a cold air passage adjacent to or inside the housing (2); an air outlet to direct cold air out of the device (1). Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the housing (2) has a tubular configuration with an inverted "U" shaped cross-section. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the housing (2) comprises fins (3) that project radially outwardly from at least part of the outer surface of the housing (2). Device according to Claim 3, characterized in that the fins (3) protrude from the entire length of the outer surface of the housing (2). Device according to claim 2, characterized in that a first part (2a) of the housing (2) comprises fins (3) projecting radially from a part of the circumferential profile of the housing, and a The second housing part (2b) comprises fins (3) projecting radially from a portion of the circumferential profile of the housing which is diametrically opposed to the circumferential portion from which the fins of the first part (2a) project. accommodation. Device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the fins (3) and the housing (3) are made of aluminum. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it further comprises a housing (4) enclosing the housing, wherein the air inlet and air outlet (9) are provided on the housing. casing body (4), cold air passage being adjacent to housing (2). Device according to Claim 11, characterized in that the housing (4) is made of plastic or metallic material. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing is formed by a semicircular housing element (20a, 20b) and a drawer part (16). Device according to claim 9, characterized in that the semicircular housing element (20a, 20b) comprises fins (3) that project radially outwardly of the element (20a, 20b). Device according to claim 10, characterized in that a first part (20a) of the semicircular housing member comprises fins (3) that project radially from a part of the semicircular profile of the element, and a second part (20b). ) of the semicircular housing element comprises fins (3) projecting radially from a portion of the semicircular housing profile that is diametrically opposed to the semicircular portion from which the fins of the first part (20a) of the element project. Device according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the drawer portion (16) is slidably attached to the semicircular housing element (20a, 20b). Device according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that it further comprises a housing (4a, 4b) surrounded by the semicircular housing element (20a, 20b), and where the air inlet and outlet of air is provided in the housing body (4a, 4b), the cold air passage being adjacent to the semicircular housing element (20a, 20b). Device according to claim 13, characterized in that the drawer portion (16) is slidably fixed to the housing. 15. Rapid cooling device (1) for use in a cooling compartment of a conventional type refrigerator, characterized in that it comprises: a housing (2) for receiving at least one article to be cooled (A), a circulation channel for a refrigerant (5, 12), the circulation channel extending at least partially through the part of the housing that receives the articles to be cooled; an air passage arranged in the upper part of the housing. Device according to Claim 15, characterized in that the cold air passage is formed by fins (3) arranged on the upper part of the housing. Device according to claim 15, characterized in that the housing (2) is formed by a U-shaped wall (12) and a top wall (13), the air passage being formed by fins (3) arranged on the top wall (13). Device according to Claim 17, characterized in that the U-shaped wall (12) comprises two juxtaposed plates, and the circulation channel is formed between the juxtaposed walls.