Classifications

• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
  • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • F25D27/00—Lighting arrangements
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
  • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
  • C02F1/00—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
  • C02F1/30—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by irradiation
  • C02F1/32—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by irradiation with ultraviolet light
  • C02F1/325—Irradiation devices or lamp constructions
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
  • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • F25D23/00—General constructional features
  • F25D23/12—Arrangements of compartments additional to cooling compartments; Combinations of refrigerators with other equipment, e.g. stove
  • F25D23/126—Water cooler
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
  • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • F25D31/00—Other cooling or freezing apparatus
  • F25D31/002—Liquid coolers, e.g. beverage cooler
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
  • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
  • C02F2201/00—Apparatus for treatment of water, waste water or sewage
  • C02F2201/32—Details relating to UV-irradiation devices
  • C02F2201/322—Lamp arrangement
  • C02F2201/3224—Units using UV-light guiding optical fibers
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
  • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
  • C02F2201/00—Apparatus for treatment of water, waste water or sewage
  • C02F2201/32—Details relating to UV-irradiation devices
  • C02F2201/326—Lamp control systems
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
  • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
  • C02F2307/00—Location of water treatment or water treatment device
  • C02F2307/10—Location of water treatment or water treatment device as part of a potable water dispenser, e.g. for use in homes or offices
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
  • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • F25D2400/00—General features of, or devices for refrigerators, cold rooms, ice-boxes, or for cooling or freezing apparatus not covered by any other subclass
  • F25D2400/22—Cleaning means for refrigerating devices
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
  • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • F25D2700/00—Means for sensing or measuring; Sensors therefor
  • F25D2700/06—Sensors detecting the presence of a product

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a cooling device comprising a storage tank wherein the liquid stored therein is sterilized.
• UV light is one of the widely-used sterilization techniques for liquids.
• UV light is a type of light with low penetration power. For this reason, the light cannot affect every point of the storage tank with the same power and a homogeneous liquid sterilization cannot be provided.
• a liquid dispenser comprising a storage tank wherein water is stored, a UV lamp that allows the liquid in the storage tank to be sterilized and a wall that allows the light emanating from the UV lamp to pass into the water.
• a refrigerator that has a water tank located in the cool storage area and produced from a light-permeable material, and a UV light source and that provides the water in the tank to be sterilized.
• the aim of the present invention is the realization of a cooling device comprising a liquid storage tank wherein the liquid stored therein is sterilized.
• the cooling device realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention, explicated in the first claim and the respective claims thereof comprises a storage tank wherein liquid is stored, at least one light source preventing the presence of microorganisms in the liquid in the storage tank and at least one guide that is produced from a light-conducting material, that spreads the light coming from the light source into the storage tank, one end of which extends into the storage tank and the other towards the light source.
• the guide extends from the light source towards the inner volume of the storage tank.
• the light coming from the UV light source spreads into the guide.
• the UV light affects the liquid in the storage tank and provides the liquid to be sterilized.
• the cooling device comprises at least one flap that extends from the guide into the storage tank, conveying the light taken from the guide into the storage tank.
• the flap is produced from a light-conducting material.
• the light coming from the light source is conveyed to the flaps by means of the guide.
• the flap is located on the guide and provides the surface area of the guide to be increased.
• the guide extends along the storage tank.
• the cooling device comprises the light source disposed outside the storage tank and the guide extending from the light source towards the inside of the storage tank.
• the storage tank is of light-permeable type.
• the light emitted by the light source disposed outside the storage tank penetrates through the storage tank, affects the liquid in the storage tank and provides it to be sterilized.
• the guides are positioned so as not to be aligned with respect to each other from the light source towards the inside of the storage tank.
• the flaps are positioned on the guide so as not to be aligned with respect to each other.
• the cooling device comprises a motor and the guide that provides the liquid to be stirred in the storage tank with the energy generated by the motor.
• the guide rotates in the storage tank, providing the water to be propelled.
• the liquid in the storage tank moves around the guide, and the penetration efficiency of the UV light into the liquid is increased.
• the cooling device comprises a light source disposed outside the storage tank and the storage tank having at least one hole allows the guide extending from the light source to pass into the storage tank.
• the guide extending from the front of the light source into the storage tank passes into the storage tank by means of the hole.
• the light emitted by the light source is conveyed to the liquid in the storage tank by means of the guide.
• the water storage tank is produced from semi-transparent or transparent material.
• the light coming from the light source spreads in the liquid by means of the storage tank.
• the light coming from the light source is provided to penetrate into the entire liquid in the storage tank by means of the storage tank.
• the storage tank comprises a sealing element that fills in the gap between the hole and the guide.
• the cooling device comprises at least one sensor that detects the presence of liquid in the storage tank and a control unit that regulates the operation of the light source.
• Light is provided to spread in the liquid continuously or at certain time intervals by means of the control unit. In the case it is detected by means of the sensor that there is no liquid in the storage tank, the operation of the light source and unnecessary energy consumption are prevented.
• the guide provides the liquid in the storage tank to be stirred when the light source is on and does not move when the light source is off.
• the cooling device is a refrigerator.
• the cooling device is a water dispenser.
• a cooling device having a storage tank wherein the liquid therein is provided to be sterilized and thus stored for a longer time.
• Figure 1 – is the schematic view of a cooling device.
• Figure 2 – is the view of detail A.
• the cooling device (1) comprises a body (2), a storage tank (3) disposed in the body (2), wherein liquid is stored, at least one light source (4) disposed in the storage tank (3), providing the liquid to be sterilized and at least one guide (5) that is produced from a light-conducting material (ASA, PMMA, PC, PET, SMMA, etc.), that is at least partially disposed in the storage tank (3), that spreads the light coming from the light source (4) in the storage tank (3), with one end extending towards the light source (4) and the other end at least partially extending into the inner volume of the storage tank (3).
• ASA light-conducting material
• the cooling device (1) of the present invention light is emitted from a light source (4) into the liquid in the storage tank (3) by means of the guide (5), thereby providing the liquid to be sterilized.
• the portion of the guide (5) that extends into the storage tank (3) at least partially contacts the liquid in the storage tank (3), thereby providing the light to effectively spread in the liquid and the sterilization to be effectively realized.
• the liquid is subject to light continuously or at certain time intervals and is sterilized.
• the liquid in the storage tank (3) does not directly contact the light source (4).
• the light source (4) emits UV light that allows various liquids to be sterilized ( Figure 1).
• the cooling device (1) comprises at least one flap (7) that is disposed on the guide (5) and that provides the light to spread into the storage tank (3) by extending outwards from the guide (5).
• the light coming from the light source (4) is conveyed to the flaps (7) by means of the guide (5).
• the flap (7) By means of the flap (7), the surface area of the guide (5) is increased and the light is provided to spread in the storage tank (3).
• the flap (7) is produced from light-conducting material and provides the light to spread in the storage tank (3).
• the light is provided to directly spread in the storage tank (3) by means of the flap (7).
• the guide (5) extends along the storage tank (3).
• the volume is increased, wherein the light is conducted in the storage tank (3) by means of the guide (5).
• the cooling device (1) comprises the light source (4) disposed outside the storage tank (3) and the guide (5) extending from the light source (4) towards the inside of the storage tank (3). Being outside the storage tank (3), the light source (4) is prevented from contacting the liquid in the storage tank (3), thus from being damaged.
• the storage tank (3) is of light-permeable type.
• the light coming from the light source (4) is provided to penetrate into the storage tank (3) and to spread in the liquid in the storage tank (3), and the surface area where the light penetrates the liquid in the storage tank (3) is increased.
• the cooling device (1) comprises more than one guide (5) disposed in the storage tank (3) in a staggered manner.
• the guide (5) extends into the storage tank (3) from more than one point and provides the light coming from the light source (4) to spread into the inner volume of the storage tank (3).
• the cooling device (1) comprises more than one flap (7) disposed on the guide (5) in a staggered manner.
• the flaps (7) provide the surface area of the guide (5) to be increased, thus provides the volume wherein the light coming from the light source (4) spreads in the storage tank (3) to increase ( Figure 1).
• the cooling device (1) comprises a motor (6) and the guide (5) that is moved by the motor (6), thus providing the liquid to be stirred.
• the liquid in the storage tank (3) is continuously or at certain time intervals stirred by means of the guide (5) connected to the motor (6), thereby providing the sterilization effectiveness of the UV light in the liquid to be increased at every point.
• the liquid is provided to displace by means of the guide (5) and thus liquids inclined to subside are prevented from subsiding ( Figure 2).
• the storage tank (3) comprises at least one hole (8) that enables the guide (5) to reach the inside of the storage tank (3).
• the guide (5) that is taken out of the storage tank (3) by means of the hole (8) is provided to come to the front of the light source (4) ( Figure 2).
• the storage tank (3) comprises at least one sealing element (10) that closes the gap between the hole (8) and the guide (5), preventing the liquid in the storage tank (3) from leaking out of the storage tank (3).
• the sealing element (10) is preferably in ring form. The sealing element (10) prevents the liquid from leaking out of the storage tank (3) ( Figure 2).
• the cooling device (1) comprises at least one sensor (11) disposed in the storage tank (3), detecting the presence of the liquid and at least one control unit (9) that controls the light source (4) according to the data received from the sensor (11).
• the light source (4) With the presence of liquid in the storage tank (3) being detected by the sensor (11), the light source (4) is provided to be turned on. The light emitted by the light source (4) is conveyed into the liquid in the storage tank (3) by means of the guide (5) and the liquid is provided to be sterilized. In case that there is no liquid in the storage tank (3), the light source (4) is turned off, thus preventing unnecessary energy consumption.
• control unit (9) enables the guide (5) to move when the light source (4) is on and enables the guide (5) to stop when the light source (4) is off.
• the guide (5) provides the liquid in the storage tank (3) only when the liquid is being sterilized by means of the light source (4).
• the cooling device (1) is a refrigerator.
• the cooling device (1) is a water dispenser.
• the light providing the liquid in the storage tank (3) is emitted continuously or at certain time intervals and the penetration effectiveness of the UV light into the liquid is increased with the liquid being stirred.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Thermal Sciences (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Toxicology (AREA)
• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Hydrology & Water Resources (AREA)
• Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
• Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
• Organic Chemistry (AREA)
• Devices That Are Associated With Refrigeration Equipment (AREA)
• Cold Air Circulating Systems And Constructional Details In Refrigerators (AREA)
• Apparatus For Disinfection Or Sterilisation (AREA)
• Devices For Dispensing Beverages (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

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• 2012
  • 2012-10-23 EP EP12784523.8A patent/EP2771632A2/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2012-10-23 US US14/354,877 patent/US20140298836A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2012-10-23 WO PCT/EP2012/070952 patent/WO2013060672A2/en not_active Ceased
  • 2012-10-23 CN CN201280051903.1A patent/CN103890514B/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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