The evaporator (1) of a refrigeration cycle machine, comprising at least a first container (2) and at least a second container (3) housed within the first container (2), the first container (2) and the second container (3) having opposite surfaces configured and arranged to form in cooperation with one another a channel (6) for the circulation of the coolant fluid used in the refrigeration cycle.

For creating a storage unit comprising a container housing enclosing a storage volume for receiving freight and a gaseous medium surrounding said freight, said storage unit further comprising a tempering system provided with a tempering unit associated with said storage volume for maintaining a flow of said gaseous medium circulating in said storage volume and passing through said tempering unit in order to be maintained at a defined or set temperature, said tempering unit comprising an internal heat exchanger arranged in said flow of gaseous medium passing through said tempering unit, said tempering system being provided with a refrigerant circuit comprising said internal heat exchanger, an external heat exchanger exposed to ambient air surrounding said container housing which operates reliably and cost efficient under the aforementioned condition, as well as a compressor unit for compressing refrigerant, and said tempering system being further provided with an engine for driving said compressor unit in an independent power source mode and said tempering system being further provided with an electric motor/generator unit mechanically coupled to said compressor unit, and said compressor unit and said motor/generator unit being commonly driven by said engine in said independent power source mode.

A dispenser for dispensing milk from a bulk container. The dispenser is mounted outside of a refrigerator and the bulk container is stored within the refrigerator. The dispenser is provided with means for conveying the milk from the bulk container to a pouring spout. Several bulk containers may be connected together to form a large bulk container of milk that is kept refrigerated in its entirety.

The present invention provides a vending machine having a compartment whose preset internal temperature is lower than those of compartments in conventional commonly-used beverage vending machines, and yet being capable of limiting energy required for cooling the interiors of its compartments. A vending machine 1 for cooling and dispensing products has at least three compartments (right compartment 4, center compartment 5, and left compartment 6) which are defined by heat-insulated walls (partition walls) 3 and which are for cooling products contained therein. The right, center and left compartments 4, 5, 6 are disposed side by side in a row. The preset internal temperature for the center compartment 5, which lies between the right and left compartments 4, 6, is lower than those for the right and left compartments 4, 6.

The present disclosure provides a drinking liquid cooling system comprising: a first cooler configured to cool drinking liquid; a second cooler configured to allow the drinking liquid from the first cooler to have a pre-defined temperature; and a drinking liquid guider configured to guide the drinking liquid via the first cooler and, then, via the second cooler and, then, to allow the drinking liquid to be discharged.

A mixed beverage production appliance has a first container which is configured for receiving a first fluid having a first freezing point and is able to be added to a mixed beverage and a second container which is separate therefrom and which is configured for receiving a second fluid having a second freezing point which is different from the first freezing point and which is able to be added to a mixed beverage. The two containers are connected into a refrigerating circuit of the mixed beverage production appliance which is configured such that the two containers are able to be subjected to different temperatures independently of one another.

An apparatus for maintaining the temperature of an article at a temperature that is below the ambient air temperature includes an enclosure having an outer wall that defines an interior chamber for holding a volume of sealed air. An insert is disposed inside of the chamber and has a body that is made of a porous graphite foam material. A vacuum pump penetrates the outer wall and fluidly connects the sealed air in the interior chamber with the ambient air outside of the enclosure. The temperatures of the insert and article is maintained at temperatures that are below the ambient air temperature when a volume of a liquid is wicked into the pores of the porous insert and the vacuum pump is activated to reduce the pressure of a volume of sealed air within the interior chamber to a pressure that is below the vapor pressure of the liquid.

An apparatus for maintaining the temperature of an article at a temperature that is below the ambient air temperature includes an enclosure having an outer wall that defines an interior chamber for holding a volume of sealed air. An insert is disposed inside of the chamber and has a body that is made of a porous graphite foam material. A vacuum pump penetrates the outer wall and fluidly connects the sealed air in the interior chamber with the ambient air outside of the enclosure. The temperatures of the insert and article is maintained at temperatures that are below the ambient air temperature when a volume of a liquid is wicked into the pores of the porous insert and the vacuum pump is activated to reduce the pressure of a volume of sealed air within the interior chamber to a pressure that is below the vapor pressure of the liquid.

A system which allows easy manual connection of the water bottle of a water cooler, with its bottle placed in an upright position at the bottom of the cooler (bottom load water cooler), to the remaining water system of the said water cooler and the related bottom load water cooler system. With the said system, connecting or disconnecting the water bottle of such water cooler system is a task as simple as manually turning a rotational handle clockwise or counter clockwise. This allows replacing the water bottle of such water cooler without touching any of its water pipes, which not only simplifies the process, but more importantly also eliminates chance of contamination of the drinking water system during the process. The system further utilizes a universal water bottle sealing cap with air filters to suppress bacteria growth in the drinking water bottle due to intake of polluted air. A reversible pressing system allows automatically adjustment for water bottles of different height and allows using the same type of water bottle as those used on conventional water cooler with its water bottle sitting on top of it in an inverted position (top load water cooler). All these features make it simpler and safer to enjoy the benefit brought by the bottom load water cooler system and bring the hygiene standard of such system to a higher level.

A potable beverage temperature control device including a cooling plate, a first vessel, and a second vessel. Where the cooling plate includes a body, a plate coupled to the body, the plate having an upper surface, a leading edge, and a trailing edge opposite the leading edge, a refrigeration device in fluid communication with the plate and configured to change the temperature of the upper surface of the plate, and a controller in operable communication with the refrigeration device. The temperature control device also includes a first vessel having one or more nozzles in fluid communication with a reservoir configured to dispense the beverage on the upper surface of the plate proximate the leading edge. The temperature control device also includes a second vessel configured to receive beverage flowing off the trailing edge of the plate.