A mobile beverage dispenser comprises a wheelable platform having mounted thereon a chillable chamber connected to a refrigerated cooling coil for removing heat from a beverage in a bulk storage container placed therein for cooling; and a beverage dispensing tap connectable to the container in fluid communication with the beverage, and mounted in thermally conductive relationship with the chillable chamber, whereby the chamber when chilled removes heat from the dispenser in preparation for dispensing of the beverage, by virtue of the conductive relationship.

A solar radiation mitigation system mountable to a furniture element, the solar radiation mitigation system comprising a panel assembly comprising a first panel capable of blocking a first radiation amount, and a second panel in operational relation with the first panel and detachably connected thereto, the second panel being capable of blocking a second radiation amount, wherein the panel assembly blocks a combined radiation amount greater than the first and second radiation amounts when the first and second panels are in operational relation, at least one adjustable arm comprising a distal arm connector connected to the first panel, a proximal arm connector being detachably attachable to the furniture element for mounting the system to the furniture element, and an elongated member extending from the proximal arm connector to the distal arm connector, the elongated member being adjustable to position and orient the first panel with respect to the furniture element.

A food holding apparatus and associated components and methods. The food holding apparatus includes at least one food receiver and a refrigeration system. First and second cooling conduits are arranged with respect to the receiver and configured to receive refrigerant to refrigerate a tray of food disposed in a cavity of the receiver. A metering valve is fluidly coupled to the second cooling conduit to selectively block and permit flow of refrigerant to the second cooling coil.

A food holding apparatus and associated components and methods. The food holding apparatus includes multiple food receivers configured to be independently controlled to heat or cool food received therein. The food holding apparatus includes a refrigeration system. Components of the refrigeration system are mounted on a sled movable between stowed and access positions to facilitate access to the components. The food holding apparatus can include touch screen controls, serpentine-shaped bar heating elements, and/or other features.

A food holding apparatus and associated components and methods. The food holding apparatus includes multiple food receivers configured to be independently controlled to heat or cool food received therein. The food holding apparatus includes a refrigeration system. Components of the refrigeration system are mounted on a sled movable between stowed and access positions to facilitate access to the components. The food holding apparatus can include touch screen controls, serpentine-shaped bar heating elements, and/or other features.

A Cornelius keg refrigerated storage, transport, and contents dispensing device holds the keg in the interior of a container equipped with provision for transporting the container, cooling the keg using refrigerated contact along the effective height of the keg, insulating the keg to maintain temperature, and storing the equipment for dispensing the keg contents.

A drinkware container system includes a container body having an outer wall and an inner wall spaced from the outer wall to define a cavity. The inner wall extends between an opening of the container body and a base wall. The inner wall and base wall define a chamber that receives a liquid, the bottom wall spaced below the base wall. A cold-side heat sink is located in the cavity in thermal contact with the inner wall and/or the base wall. Optionally, a phase change material is located in the cavity and in thermal communication with the chamber and with the cold side heat sink, the phase change material spaced apart from the outer wall. The cavity can optionally be filled with an insulation material or be under vacuum. Optionally, the container body can have magnet(s) that can removably couple it with a cooling unit. The cooling unit can have a first heat sink configured to contact the container body when the container body is placed on the cooling unit, thermoelectric module(s) in thermal communication with the first heat sink, and a second heat sink in thermal communication with the thermoelectric module(s) so that the thermoelectric module(s) are interposed between the first and second heat sinks. The thermoelectric module(s) are operable to draw heat from the first heat sink and transfer it to the second heat sink to cool the first heat sink to thereby draw heat from the container body to cool it.

Systems and methods have demonstrated the capability of rapidly cooling the contents of pods containing the ingredients for food and drinks.

Portage storage containers including controlled evaporative cooling systems are described herein. In some embodiments, a portable container including an integral controlled evaporative cooling system includes: a storage region, an evaporative region adjacent to the storage region, a desiccant region adjacent to the outside of the container, and an insulation region positioned between the evaporative region and the desiccant region. A vapor conduit with an attached vapor control unit has a first end within the evaporative region and a second end within the desiccant region. In some embodiments, the controlled evaporative cooling systems are positioned in a radial configuration within the portable container.

An illustrative example method of controlling use of a portable cooling container includes determining at least one characteristic of an amount of use of the cooling container. The at least one characteristic is determined by at least one of a processor at a location remote from the cooling container and a container controller of the cooling container. A relationship between the at least one characteristic and continued use of the cooling container is determined. An indication to a user of the cooling container is provided regarding continued use of the cooling container based on the determined relationship.