Relevant Field of Art
[0001] The present invention relates to cooling systems for rapid cooling of beverages in
a container (especially in a cylindrical container) such as fruit juice, milk, water
etc.
Background Art
[0002] Particularly, in cooling devices such as refrigerators, deep-freezers etc. for cooling
food products or keeping them below a certain temperature, beverages in a container
are cooled down by disposing the container in an inner volume (for example on a shelf)
of the cooling device. During the cooling process, at first the container loses its
heat followed by the cooling of the beverage layer-by-layer towards the center of
the container. However, said layered-cooling towards the center may take a very long
time, and if it is desired to drink a beverage in a short period of time, then it
may be drunk without being cooled down adequately. For example, under normal conditions,
when a beverage of 32°C is placed in a cooling compartment of a cooling device, it
slowly loses its heat and is, for example, brought to 5°C in approximately 5-6 hours.
Therefore, said duration is quite long for the users, especially in summer times.
[0003] Various applications are available in the prior art for solving said problem. One
of them is disclosed in
US6314751 B1. In the said document, it is disclosed a chilling apparatus for chilling a liquid
in a container, which comprises a compartment sized to accept and retain the container;
and a coolant receptacle adjoining a side portion of the compartment, for retaining
a coolant, e.g., an ice/water mixture. The adjoining side portion has at least one
aperture that allows the coolant to flow through to enter the compartment and surround
the container therein. The liquid in the container is chilled by rotating the container
within the coolant. However, said application is not suitable for use in a cooling
device, and the container is manually rotated within the coolant. Moreover, in the
said application, after the usage, the coolant must be replaced for subsequent use.
Furthermore, it is silent about a solution for discharging excess fluid generated
by the melting of the ice.
Brief Description of the Invention
[0004] The cooling system according to the present invention, which is suitable for use
in a cooling device and which allows rapid cooling of beverages in a container, comprises
at least one machine compartment wherein at least one motor is positioned; at least
one cooling compartment comprising at least one chamber in which the container to
be cooled down is placed, which is suitable for introducing water and ice therein
for cooling the container and which has at least one rear wall, at least one bottom
and at least one front wall positioned opposite to the rear wall; at least one main
shaft positioned in the chamber such that at least one side thereof is connected to
the motor, wherein the container containing the beverage to be cooled down is positioned
in the chamber such that it contacts thereto, and which rotates about its axis with
the movement of the motor, during the cooling process, thereby rotating the container
that is in contact with it; at least one main pool which is positioned in the machine
compartment, and in which excess water is collected so as to prevent it from causing
damage by overflowing from the chamber to the area where the cooling system is located
when the water available in the chamber is above a safe amount of water during cooling
process, the safe amount of water being an amount that prevents the water in the chamber
not only from lifting the container but also from overflowing to an environment where
the chamber is located; at least one drain positioned in the main pool and having
at least two apertures, at least one of which is opened to the main pool; at least
one main transfer line at least one side of which is connected to the other aperture
of the drain, wherein the excess water received from the chamber into the main pool
is passed therethrough and removed from the main pool; and at least one discharge
equipment positioned at a certain height above the bottom, according to the safe amount
of water that can be available in the chamber, for transferring the excess water present
in the cooling compartment into the main pool in the motor compartment during the
cooling process.
[0005] In the cooling system according to the present invention, since the container is
rotated about its axis by means of the main shaft and in the meantime the heat of
melting of the ice is utilized, the temperature of the beverage is able to be reduced
in a very short period of time (for example, to 5°C in about 10 minutes) though depending
on the type and amount of the beverage and/or the size of the container.
Object of the Invention
[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a cooling system for rapid cooling
of a beverage in a container, which is suitable for use in cooling devices.
[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide a cooling system where the
coolant therein can be discharged, if it is in excess amount.
[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide a cooling system wherein the
efficiency of the cooling is increased by the rotation of the container.
[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a cooling system which is able
to be used outside of the cooling device.
[0010] Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a cooling system which
is easy-to-use, durable and reliable.
Description of the Drawings
[0011] The illustrative embodiments of the cooling system according to the present invention
are illustrated in the enclosed drawings, in which:
- Figure 1
- is a schematic view of the cooling system.
- Figure 2
- is a perspective view of an illustrative embodiment of the cooling system.
- Figure 3
- is a side sectional perspective view of the cooling system.
- Figure 4
- is a view of a detail "M" in figure 3.
- Figure 5
- is another side sectional perspective view of the cooling system.
- Figure 6
- is a view of a detail "N" in figure 5.
- Figure 7
- is another side sectional perspective view of the cooling system.
[0012] All the parts illustrated in the drawings are individually assigned a reference numeral
and the corresponding terms of these numbers are listed as follows:
Cooling device |
(C) |
Cooling system |
(S) |
Main transfer line |
(B1) |
Additional transfer line |
(B2) |
Insulation wall |
(D) |
Container |
(E) |
Cover |
(F) |
0°C compartment |
(A) |
Evaporation tray |
(H1) |
Auxiliary tray |
(H2) |
Compressor |
(K) |
Air blowing unit |
(U) |
Cooling compartment |
(1) |
Chamber |
(1 a) |
Main shaft |
(1 b) |
Connection shaft |
(1c) |
Main connection |
(1d) |
Sealing member |
(1 e) |
Discharge cover |
(1f) |
Resilient member |
(1g) |
Passage |
(1h) |
Support piece |
(1j) |
Machine compartment |
(2) |
Motor |
(2a) |
Motor connection |
(2b) |
Main pool |
(2c) |
Pin |
(2d) |
Pool base |
(2e) |
Drain |
(2f) |
Controller |
(3) |
Fixing member |
(4) |
Rear wall |
(5a) |
Front wall |
(5b) |
Bottom |
(6) |
First wall |
(7) |
Second wall |
(8) |
Discharge pool |
(9) |
Guide |
(10) |
Description of the Invention
[0013] Beverages in containers wherein a liquid such as a beverage is located are generally
cooled by being placed in a cooling device. However, such cooling process is achieved
by breaking heat layers towards the center of the container, which takes a relatively
long period of time. For example, in case a beverage having a temperature of 32°C
is cooled down in a cooling device, the temperature of the beverage is reduced to
5°C in 5-6 hours on average. Therefore, various applications are needed to reduce
the temperature of the liquid in a container in a shorter period of time. Although
various applications are available in the prior art directed to said rapid cooling
process, these applications cannot ensure sufficient efficiency and cannot fully meet
the needs of the users. Therefore, with the present invention, there is provided a
cooling system wherein the disadvantages of the prior art applications are eliminated
and the cooling efficiency is increased.
[0014] The cooling system (S) according to the present invention, as illustrated in figures
1-7, which ensures rapid cooling of beverages in a container (E), is suitable for
use in a cooling device (C), as shown in figure 2, and is able to be engaged to and
disengage from the cooling device (C) by means of a sliding mechanism preferably such
as a slide, rail etc. The inventive cooling system (S) comprises at least one machine
compartment (2) wherein at least one motor (2a) is positioned (which is preferably
fixed at least at two points by means of a shock-prevention member such as a felt,
rubber etc. in order to prevent any shock that may be generated); at least one cooling
compartment (1) comprising at least one chamber (1a), in which the container (E) to
be cooled down is placed preferably in horizontal direction, which is suitable for
introducing water and ice therein for cooling the container (E), and which has at
least one rear wall (5a) preferably facing the machine compartment (2), at least one
bottom (6) and at least one front wall (5b) positioned opposite to the rear wall (5a),
and the cooling compartment (1) being preferably engaged to and disengaged from the
cooling device (C) by means of at least one sliding mechanism such as a slide, rail
etc. (said sliding mechanism is also preferably positioned on a side wall of the cooling
compartment (1)); and at least one main shaft (1 b) positioned in the chamber (1 a)
such that one side thereof is preferably connected to rear wall (5a) (for example
by means of a sealing member such as an oil seal), and the other side thereof is preferably
connected to the front wall (5b) (for example by means of a bearing member such as
a plastic bearing), and at least one side thereof (preferably that one which is connected
to the rear wall (5a)) is connectable to the motor (2a), wherein the container (E)
containing the beverage to be cooled down is positioned in the chamber (1a) such it
contacts thereto, and which rotates about its axis with the movement of the motor
(2a), during the cooling process, thereby rotating the container (E) that is in contact
with it and which is preferably coated with a non-sliding material (e.g. rubber).
The cooling compartment (1) and the machine compartment (2) may either be integral
or separate from each other, in which case the cooling compartment (1) is able to
be moved close to and away from the machine compartment (2) with respect to the machine
compartment (2). In case the cooling compartment (1) is movable with respect to the
machine compartment (2), the main shaft (1b) can be connected to and disconnected
from the motor (2a) based on the said movement of the cooling compartment (1) with
respect to the machine compartment (2). The cooling system (S) also comprises at least
one main pool (2c) positioned in the machine compartment (2), wherein if the water
available in the chamber (1a) during the cooling process is in excess amount, the
excess water is collected in order to prevent it from flowing from the chamber (1
a) and causing damage to the area it is located (for example inside of the cooling
device (C)) (said main pool (2c) also ensures that the noise of the water is reduced
during the discharge of the water from cooling compartment (1) and it is not heard
from the outside); at least one drain (2f) positioned in the main pool (2c) such that
it is preferably located on at least one pool base (2e), and having at least two apertures
at least one of which is opened to the main pool (2c); at least one main transfer
line (B1), at least one side of which is connected to the other aperture of the drain
(2f), wherein the excess water received from the chamber (1a) into the main pool (2c)
is passed therethrough, preferably through the pool base (2e) inclined towards the
drain (2f), and removed from the main pool (2c) (for example transferred into a waste
water line of an house); and at least one discharge equipment positioned at a certain
height above the bottom (6), according to the safe amount of water that can be available
in the chamber (1a), for transferring the excess water available in chamber (1a) of
the cooling compartment (1), into the main pool (2c) in the motor compartment (2)
during the cooling process. Additionally, said cooling system (S) preferably comprises
at least one cover (F) suitable for closing said chamber (1a) (which cover (F) may
either be a piece such as a shelf provided in the cooling device (C) or may be an
external piece). If the water in the chamber (1a) exceeds a certain amount after the
container (E) containing the beverage to be cooled down is placed into the chamber
(1a), it lifts the said container (E) and prevents contact of the container (E) with
the main shaft (1b), in which case the container (E) cannot rotate and the cooling
process cannot be performed in an efficient manner. Furthermore, in case there is
an excess amount of water, the water in the chamber (1 a) overflows. Said safe amount
of water is defined as a level where the water in the chamber (1a) is prevented from
lifting the container (E), and the water in the chamber (1a) is also prevented from
overflowing to an environment where the chamber (1 a) is situated.
[0015] In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, water is introduced into the chamber
(1a) in the cooling compartment (1) and it is brought to a certain temperature level
(for example, the temperature (0-5°C) of the cooling compartment of the cooling device
(C) where the cooling system (S) is to be used). In other words, for example in case
the cooling system (S) is used in the cooling compartment of the cooling device (C),
the chamber (1 a) is filled with some water at the initial use of the cooling system
(S). If the water has a temperature that is higher than that of the cooing compartment
of the cooling device (C), the cooling system (1) is positioned in the cooling compartment
of the cooling device (C) and the water is brought to a temperature value that is
close to the melting temperature of ice (i.e. the temperature of the cooling compartment
of the cooling device (C)). Then, the container (E) containing the beverage to be
cooled down is disposed in the chamber (1a) of the cooling system (S) such that it
contacts the main shaft (1b). Thereafter, pieces of ice are disposed inside the chamber
(1a). In case the cooling compartment (2) is independent from the machine compartment
(1), the main shaft (1b) is also connected to the motor (2a) for example by moving
the cooling compartment (1) close to the machine compartment (2) (the machine compartment
(2) wherein the motor (2a) is positioned can either be stationary in the cooling device
(C) or it can have a structure so as to be engaged to or disengage from the cooling
device (C) along with the cooling compartment (1)). By energizing the motor (2a) in
the cooling system (S) inserted into the cooling device (C) for rapid cooling process
(the motor (2a) may either be connected with the energy system of the cooling device
(C) or may be energized by means of an external power supply), the main shaft (1 b)
is rotated about its axis and the container (E) disposed in the chamber (1a) is also
rotated. In this way, heat exchange of the container (E) with a mixture of water and
ice is accelerated, and instead of reaching to the center of the container (E) gradually
and layer-by-layer, heat is allowed to reach thereto in a direct manner by breaking
said layers, so that the beverage in the container (E) is cooled rapidly. When the
water in the chamber (1a) that has increased depending on the melting of the ice reaches
to a certain level, the excess water is passed into the main pool (2c) in machine
compartment (2) by means of the discharge equipment of the cooling system (S) and
then into the main transfer line (B1) by means of the drain (2f) so that it is removed
from the cooling system (S). In this manner, the beverage in a container (E) is cooled
in a rapid and practical manner, and also the excess water is prevented from flowing
from the chamber (1 a) and causing damage to the surrounding parts. Furthermore, since
a mixture of water and ice is used as a coolant, a durable cooling system (S) is obtained
which is ready to use, when necessary, and which does not cause additional cost when
a coolant supplement is required.
[0016] In a preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention, the cooling system (S) comprises,
as a discharge equipment, at least one passage (1 h), , preferably in the form of
a pipe, at least one end of which is opened to the chamber (1 a) by means of at least
one hole provided on the chamber (1a) (preferably on a wall of the chamber (1a) [for
example rear wall (5)]) such that the hole is located at a certain height above the
bottom (6) based on the safe amount of water that can be available in the chamber
(1 a), and at least another end of which is opened to the main pool (2c); and which
comprises at least one channel wherein the channel connects the two ends to each other
and the excess water in the chamber (1a) is passed through this channel into the main
pool (2c); at least one discharge cover (1f) positioned on a side of the wall - where
the hole is located - that faces the chamber (1a), and which opens and closes the
said hole, preferably based on the position of the cooling compartment (1) with respect
to the machine compartment (2) (that is, based on the connection of the main shaft
(1 b) to the motor (2a) or disconnection of the same); and at least one pin (2d) which
is fixed to the main pool (2c) at a side thereof, which is suitable for extending
through the channel in the passage (1h) and through the hole on the wall, where the
hole is located, towards the chamber (1a), which ensures the opening of the hole such
that excess water is passed therethrough by extending into the chamber (1a) in case
the cooling process is performed in the cooling compartment (1) (or in case the main
shaft (1b) is connected to the motor (2a)) and by contacting the discharge cover (1f)
at this extending side so as to move the discharge cover (1f) from the hole , and
which has a cross-sectional area smaller than the width of the said channel and the
hole. In this embodiment, when the main shaft (1 b) is connected to the motor (2a)
such that the motor (2a) rotates the main shaft (1b) (or in case the cooling process
is performed), said pin (2d) - at a state of the cooling chamber (1) where the motor
(2a) is not connected to the main shaft (1 b) (or in case the cooling process is not
performed) - contacts the discharge cover (1f) located at a position covering said
hole and moves the discharge cover (1f) away from the hole so that the hole is opened.
During the cooling process, as the ice in the water contained in the chamber (1a)
melts with the heat from the beverage container (E), the amount of water in the chamber
(1 a) increases and when said amount of water exceeds a safe level, it reaches to
the hole. Since the discharge cover (1f) is spaced from the hole, said excess water
is passed through the opened hole into the passage (1h) and then into the main pool
(2c). The water that has reached to the main pool (2c) is in turn passed through the
drain (2f) and removed from the cooling system (S) by means of the main transfer line
(B1). In this embodiment, the cooling system also preferably comprises at least a
first wall (7), preferably parallel to bottom (6), positioned at a certain height
above the bottom (6) based on a safe amount of water that can be available in the
chamber (1 a), and which extends from the wall where the hole is located (preferably
from the rear wall (5)) towards the chamber (1 a); at least a second wall (8) which
extends towards the bottom (6) from an end of the first wall (7) extending towards
the chamber (1a) and which is preferably parallel to the wall where the hole is located
(for example rear wall (5)); at least a discharge pool (9) interposed between the
wall where the hole is located, the first wall (7) and the second wall (8), and to
which said hole is opened (that is, that surrounds the said hole); and at least one
resilient member (1g) (preferably a spring) which is connected to the second wall
(8) at a side, and at another side, to the discharge cover (1f), and which exerts
force on the discharge cover (1f) towards the hole so as to ensure that the discharge
cover (1f) closes the hole when the pin (2d) does not contact the discharge cover
(1f). In this way, during the cooling process (when the main shaft (1b) is connected
to the motor (2a)), when the water in the chamber (1a) exceeds said safe level, it
is filled into the discharge pool (9) via the first wall (7) and the second wall (8).
The discharge cover (1f) is maintained at a distance away from the hole by means of
the pin (2d) extending from the main pool (2c) into the chamber (1a), and thus the
hole is kept opened. In the meantime, force is accumulated on the resilient member
(1g) located between the second wall (8) and the discharge cover (1f). For example,
when the cooling compartment (1) is moved away from the machine compartment (2) (that
is, the motor (2a) is disconnected from the main shaft (1b) or when the cooling process
is terminated), due to the force accumulated on the resilient member (1g), the resilient
member (1g) moves the discharge cover (1f) towards the wall where the hole is located,
and thus the hole is closed. In this manner, the cooling system (S) is operated in
a reliable and effective manner and a cooling system is achieved which is easy-to-use
and practical. In this embodiment, the cooling system (S) also comprises at least
one sealing member (1 e) (for example a seal, o-ring etc.) which is positioned around
the hole and seals the discharge cover (1f). In this embodiment, the cooling system
(S) alternatively comprises at least a guide (10) which is preferably positioned such
as to surround the passage (1 h), and at least one side of which is inclined so as
to extend to the main pool (2c). Thus, water is guided into the main pool (2c) in
case of a leakage.
[0017] In another preferred alternative embodiment of the invention, the cooling system
(S) comprises at least one motor connection (2b) which is connected to the motor (2a),
at one side, such that it is rotated when the motor (2a) is energized, and which has,
on another side thereof, a plurality of teeth and grooves with different geometrical
shapes, and at least one main connection (1d) which is connected, at least at one
side, to the said main shaft (1b) preferably by means of at least one connection shaft
(1c) (which may either be integral with the main shaft (1b) or may be an external
piece) and which has, at least at another side, a plurality of grooves with geometrical
shapes suitable for receiving the teeth provided on the motor connection (2b) and
a plurality of teeth with geometrical shapes suitable for being received into the
grooves on the motor connection (2b), which ensures that the main shaft (1 b) is appropriately
connected to the motor (2a) by means of a close-fit of its teeth and grooves with
the teeth and grooves on the motor connection (2b) and that the motion of the motor
(2a) is effectively transferred to the main shaft (1 b), and which is rotatable about
its axis upon energizing the motor (2a).
[0018] In another illustrative embodiment of the invention, the cooling system (S) comprises
at least two fixing members (4), preferably having magnetic property (for example
magnets), at least one of which is positioned in the cooling compartment (1) (preferably
on the rear wall (5), and on that side of the rear wall (5) facing the machine compartment
(2)), and at least another of which is positioned in the machine compartment (2),
preferably on that side of the machine compartment (2) facing the cooling compartment
(1). With this embodiment, when the motor (2a) is connected such that it rotates the
main shaft (1 b), the fixing members (4) are also connected to each other, and due
to the force generated with the rotation of the main shaft (1b) about its axis during
the cooling process, the cooling compartment (1) is prevented from moving away from
the machine compartment (2) and accordingly a disconnection of the motor (2a) from
the main shaft (1 b) is prevented so that the cooling system (S) is operated effectively.
[0019] In another illustrative embodiment of the invention, another side of the main transfer
line (B1) of the cooling system (S) that is not connected with the drain (2f) opens
into at least one evaporation tray (H1) provided in the cooling device (C), and preferably
located in the area where the compressor (K) of the cooling device (C) is positioned.
In this way, excess water is received into the existing evaporation tray (H1) in the
cooling device (C) without causing extra cost, so that excess water is evaporated
by the heat of the compressor (K) and removed. In this embodiment, the cooling system
(S) preferably comprises at least one auxiliary tray (H2) and at least one additional
transfer line (B2) connecting the evaporation tray (H1) with the auxiliary tray (H2).
Thus, when the amount of water in the evaporation tray (H1) is high, excess water
is received into the auxiliary tray (H2) by means of the additional transfer line
(B2) so that the water in the evaporation tray (H1) is prevented from overflowing
and causing damage to the area it is located. In this embodiment, the cooling system
(S) preferably comprises at least one sensor that measures the level of water collected
in the auxiliary tray (H2). In this way, when the water collected in the auxiliary
tray (H2) exceeds a certain level, the user is notified and water is prevented from
overflowing and causing damage to the area it is located. The cooling system (S) also
comprises preferably at least one heating member (for example a resistance or a pipe
for superheated steam exiting from the compressor (K)) positioned in the evaporation
tray (H1) and/or the auxiliary tray (H2). In this way, the water collected in the
evaporation tray (H1) and/or the auxiliary tray (H2) is evaporated more rapidly. In
another preferred embodiment, the other side of the main transfer line (B1) that is
not connected with the drain (2f) can be directly connected to a waste water line.
In another embodiment, the other side of the additional transfer line (B2), one side
of which is connected with the evaporation tray (H1), can be connected to a waste
water line instead of the auxiliary tray (H2).
[0020] In another alternative preferred embodiment of the invention, the cooling system
(S) is suitable to be positioned adjacent to at least one compartment (exemplified
as 0°C compartment (A) in the drawings) of the cooling device (C) and comprises at
least one insulation wall (D) for heat exchange with the said compartment of the cooling
device (C) in order to prevent a reduction in the operation efficiency of the said
compartment and itself.
[0021] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the cooling system (S) comprises
at least one blowing unit (U), through which the air inside the cooling compartment
of the cooling device (C) is passed over the cooling system (S). When the cooling
system (S) is positioned next to a cooling device compartment having a temperature
of 0°C or below, since the water in the chamber (1a) can be frozen due to the low
temperature of this compartment, said air blowing unit (U) is allowed to convey the
air of the cooling compartment of the cooling device (C), having a temperature of
approx. 5°C, through the cooling system (S) so that the water in the chamber (1 a)
is prevented from freezing. In this embodiment, the cooling system (S) preferably
comprises air vents, wherein air inside the chamber (1a) can also be circulated during
the air circulation of air blowing unit (U).
[0022] In another alternative embodiment, the cooling system (S) can comprise at least one
heating member (for example a resistance) for preventing freezing of the water in
the chamber (1a).
[0023] In another illustrative embodiment of the invention, the cooling system (S) comprises
at least one controller (3) for controlling operation thereof. By means of the controller
(3), the user can for example select the type of the beverage desired to be cooled
down, and the cooling system (S) is able to ensure a cooling process which is performed
under conditions suitable for that beverage (e.g. duration of rotational speed etc.).
Furthermore, the user, if desired, can manually adjust the rotational speed of the
main shaft (1 b), the duration of cooling etc. by means of the controller (3).
[0024] In another alternative embodiment of the invention, the cooling system (S) comprises
at least one support piece (1j) in order to ensure that the contact of the container
(E) with the main shaft (1 b) is not interrupted as the container (E) is rotated by
the main shaft (1 b). Preferably, the support piece (1j) is in the form of a shaft,
rod positioned so as to extend between the rear wall (5a) and the front wall (5b),
or it can have an inclined form.
[0025] In the cooling system (S) according to the present invention, since the container
(E) is rotated about its axis by means of the main shaft (1b) and in the meantime
the heat of melting of the ice is utilized, the temperature of the beverage is able
to be reduced in a short period of time (for example, to 5°C in about 10 minutes)
though depending on the type and amount of the beverage and/or the size of the container
(E). In the present invention, as the container (E) and the beverage therein is rotated
by the main shaft (1 b) (for example 90 revolutions per second), the energy of the
ice is used to reduce the temperature of the beverage. The water in the chamber (1a)
ensures that energy of the ice is conveyed to the container (E) and to the beverage
in an effective manner. The cooling system (S) is suitable for use in any size of
cans, plastic and glass bottles, and for example, a beverage in a 330 ml can of 32°C
is cooled to 5°C in 2 minutes, a beverage in a 750 ml glass bottle is cooled from
32°C to 5°C in 7 minutes and a beverage in a 1 liter plastic bottle is cooled from
32°C to 5°C in 10 minutes. In this way, an effective and efficient cooling can be
achieved.
1. A cooling system (S) which is suitable for use in a cooling device (C) and which ensures
rapid cooling of beverages in a container (E), comprising:
- at least one machine compartment (2) wherein at least one motor (2a) is positioned;
- at least one cooling compartment (1) comprising at least one chamber (1 a) in which
the container (E) to be cooled down is placed, which is suitable for introducing water
and ice therein for cooling the container (E) and which has at least one rear wall
(5a), at least one bottom (6) and at least one front wall (5b) positioned opposite
to the rear wall (5a) ;
- at least one main shaft (1b) positioned in the chamber (1a) such that at least one
side thereof is able to be connected to the motor (2a), wherein the container (E)
containing the beverage to be cooled down is positioned in the chamber (1a) such that
it contacts thereto, and which rotates about its axis with the movement of the motor
(2a), during the cooling process, thereby rotating the container (E) that is in contact
with it;
characterized by comprising;
- at least one main pool (2c) which is positioned in the machine compartment (2),
and in which excess water is collected so as to prevent it from causing damage by
overflowing from the chamber (1a) to the area where the cooling system (S) is located
when the water available in the chamber (1a) is above a safe amount of water during
cooling process, the safe amount of water being an amount that prevents the water
in the chamber (1a) not only from lifting the container (E) but also from overflowing
to an environment where the chamber (1a) is located;
- at least one drain (2f) positioned in the main pool (2c) and having at least two
apertures at least one of which is opened to the main pool (2c);
- at least one main transfer line (B1) at least one side of which is connected to
the other aperture of the drain (2f), wherein the excess water received from the chamber
(1a) into the main pool (2c) is passed therethrough, and removed from the main pool
(2c);
- at least one discharge equipment positioned at a certain height above the bottom
(6) according to the safe amount of water that can be available in the chamber (1a),
for transferring the excess water available in the chamber (1a) of the cooling compartment
(1) into the main pool (2c) in the machine compartment (2) during the cooling process.
2. A cooling system (S) according to claim 1, characterized in that the said rear wall (5a) is a wall facing the machine compartment (2).
3. A cooling system (S) according to claim 1, characterized in that the cooling compartment (1) and the machine compartment (2) are independent from
each other.
4. A cooling system (S) according to claim 3, characterized in that the said cooling compartment (1) is movable with respect to the machine compartment
(2) so as to move close to or away from the machine compartment (2).
5. A cooling system (S) according to claim 1, characterized by comprising at least one sliding mechanism in order to engage the cooling compartment
(1) to and disengage from the cooling device (C).
6. A cooling system (S) according to claim 1 or 5, characterized in that the machine compartment (2) is engageable to and from the cooling device (C) along
with the cooling compartment (1).
7. A cooling system (S) according to claim 1,
characterized by comprising as a discharge equipment,
- at least one passage (1 h), at least one end of which is opened to the chamber (1a)
by means of at least one hole provided on a wall of the chamber (1a) such that the
hole is located at a certain height above the bottom (6) based on the safe amount
of water that can be available in the chamber (1 a), and at least another end of which
is opened to the main pool (2c); and which comprises at least one channel wherein
the channel connects the two ends to each other and the excess water in the chamber
(1 a) is passed through this channel into the main pool (2c);
- at least one discharge cover (1f) which opens and closes the said hole, which is
provided at a position covering said hole when the cooling process is not performed
in the cooling compartment (1), and which is positioned on a side of the wall - where
the hole is located - that faces the chamber (1 a), and
- at least one pin (2d) which is fixed to the main pool (2c) at a side thereof, which
is suitable for extending through the channel in the passage (1 h) and through the
said hole towards the chamber (1a), which ensures the opening of the hole such that
excess water is passed therethrough by extending into the chamber (1a) and contacting
the discharge cover (1f) at this extending side so as to move the discharge cover
(1f) from the hole , and which has a cross-sectional area smaller than the width of
the said channel and the hole.
8. A cooling system (S) according to claim 7, characterized by comprising at least a first wall (7) positioned at a certain height above the bottom
(6) based on the safe amount of water that can be available in the chamber (1a), and
which extends from the wall where the hole is located towards the chamber (1a); at
least a second wall (8) which extends towards the bottom (6) from an end of the first
wall (7) extending towards the chamber (1a); at least a discharge pool (9) interposed
between the wall where the hole is located, the first wall (7) and the second wall
(8), and to which said hole is opened, and into which the water in the chamber (1
a) flows over the first wall (7) and the second wall (8) when it exceeds the safe
level; and at least one resilient member (1 g) which is connected to the second wall
(8) at a side, and at another side, to the discharge cover (1f), and which exerts
force on the discharge cover (1f) towards the hole in order to ensure that the discharge
cover (1f) closes the hole when the pin (2d) does not contact the discharge cover
(1f).
9. A cooling system (S) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized by comprising at least a guide (10) which is positioned such as to surround the passage
(1h) in order to guide the water into the main pool (2c) in case of a leakage, and
at least one side of which is inclined so as to extend to the main pool (2c).
10. A cooling system (S) according to claim 1, characterized by comprising at least one motor connection (2b) which is connected to the motor (2a),
at one side, such that it is rotated when the motor (2a) is energized, and which has,
on another side thereof, a plurality of teeth and grooves with different geometrical
shapes; and at least one main connection (1d) which is connected, at least at one
side, to the said main shaft (1 b) and which has, at least at another side, a plurality
of grooves with geometrical shapes suitable for receiving the teeth provided on the
motor connection (2b) and a plurality of teeth with geometrical shapes suitable for
being received into the grooves on the motor connection (2b), which ensures that the
main shaft (1 b) is appropriately connected to the motor (2a) by means of a close-fit
of its teeth and grooves with the teeth and grooves on the motor connection (2b) and
that the motion of the motor (2a) is effectively transferred to the main shaft (1
b), and which is rotatable about its axis upon energizing the motor (2a).
11. A cooling system (S) according to claim 10, characterized by comprising at least one connection shaft (1c) for connecting the main connection
(1d) to the main shaft (1b).
12. A cooling system (S) according to claim 3, characterized by comprising at least two fixing members (4), at least one of which is positioned in
the cooling compartment (1) and at least another of which is positioned in the machine
compartment (2), and which are connected to each other when the motor (2a) is connected
such that it rotates the main shaft (1 b), in order to prevent the cooling compartment
(1) from moving away from the machine compartment (2) and thus a disconnection of
the motor (2a) from the main shaft (1b), due to the force generated with the rotation
of the main shaft (1b) about its axis during the cooling process.
13. A cooling system (S) according to claim 1, characterized in that another side of the main transfer line (B1) that is not connected with the drain
(2f) opens into at least one evaporation tray (H1) provided in the cooling device
(C).
14. A cooling system (S) according to claim 13, characterized by comprising at least one auxiliary tray (H2) into which excess water is transferred
when the amount of water in the evaporation tray (H1) is high, and at least one additional
transfer line (B2) connecting the evaporation tray (H1) with the auxiliary tray (H2)
in order to transfer the excess water to the auxiliary tray (H2).
15. A cooling system (S) according to claim 14, characterized by comprising at least one sensor that measures the level of water collected in the
auxiliary tray (H2).
16. A cooling system (S) according to claim 1, characterized in that another side of the main transfer line (B1) that is not connected with the drain
(2f) is directly connected with a waste water line.
17. A cooling system (S) according to claim 1, characterized by comprising at least one additional transfer line (B2), one side of which is connected
with the evaporation tray (H1), and at least another side of which is connected with
a waste water line.