A system having a beverage coaster with a receiving coil that can be magnetically coupled or decoupled from a driving coil in a counter, table, bar, and the like. The coaster may be magnetically coupled to the table by moving the coaster into an area where the driving coil generates a magnetic field of sufficient strength. The coaster also includes a switch that activated or deactivated based on its proximity to a magnet in the table. The coaster has a metallic plate on which may be positioned a beverage container. The plate is thermally and mechanically coupled to a Peltier cell that either cools or heats the plate, depending on the state of the switch. A thermostat prevents beverage overheating. A second magnetic switch powers the driving coil only if the coaster is present and aligned with the driving coil.

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

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

A vessel for cooling drinks includes external walls and inner walls that can be joined together to define internal housings to house drinks containers. The walls contain a volume of eutectic liquid, which absorbs heat and cools the drink by contact through the walls.

A drawer assembly for a laboratory instrument comprises a drawer loaded with a magazine. The drawer assembly comprises a frame comprising a portion adjacent the drawer that extends in a longitudinal direction. The drawer moves relative to the frame between a retracted position and an extended position. The frame comprises a path having a first portion and a second portion below the first portion. The drawer assembly comprises a rolling element moveable in the path and a lifting mechanism to lift the rolling element from a second portion to a first portion when the drawer is in the retracted position. The path is configured such that the rolling element is located in the first portion and contacts the drawer when the drawer is moved from the retracted position to the extended position and that the rolling element enters the second portion exclusively when the drawer is in the extended position.

An air duct assembly is provided that is configured to supply air to a compartment and including: an outer cover housing, configured to be fixed to an outer side of a compartment wall defining the compartment, an external accommodating cavity being defined inside the outer cover housing; an inner cover housing, configured to be disposed opposite to the outer cover housing on an inner side of the compartment wall, an internal accommodating cavity being defined inside the inner cover housing. An air inlet is formed in the outer cover housing, so as to allow external air to enter the external accommodating cavity via the air inlet. A vent is formed in the compartment wall, so that the external accommodating cavity communicates with the internal accommodating cavity. An air outlet is formed in the inner cover housing, so as to supply the air in the internal accommodating cavity to the inside of the compartment.

A beverage dispensing system includes a cabinet with a dispensing station. The cabinet includes therein a refrigeration system, a cooling fluid system, and a refrigerated compartment having therein a cooling system and a beverage source coupled with the dispensing station. The cooling fluid system circulates a cooling fluid through the refrigeration system such that the refrigeration system cools the cooling fluid. The cooling fluid system further normally circulates the cooling fluid through the dispensing station to cool beverage therein. The cooling fluid system directs the cooling fluid from the dispensing station to the cooling system when necessary to cool the refrigerated compartment. A beverage fluid system resides in the cooling fluid system between the beverage source and the dispensing station such that the cooling fluid system cools beverage flowing through the beverage fluid system prior to delivery of beverage to the dispensing station for dispensing therefrom.

A portable refrigeration container is usable for cooling a bottle of drinkable fluid. It includes a tubular body, a vortex tube, an electronic programmable controller, a tank of compressed air, a battery, a Peltier device, a heat exchanger, and a removable electrical charging station. Optionally, the portable refrigeration container further includes a compressor, a dynamo, and a bracket for attachment to a bicycle frame. The optional compressor and dynamo that electrically recharges the battery, may share a single shaft that is rotatably connected to turn with a bicycle wheel.

Outdoor furniture for an exterior of a home includes a piece of outdoor furniture with a fortified drop box contained therein. The fortified drop box has a lid configured to open for gaining access to the fortified drop box. The lid of the fortified drop box is also configured to close for sealing the fortified drop box. A locking mechanism is included with the fortified drop box that is configured for securing the fortified drop box with the lid closed. The locking mechanism of the fortified drop box is also configured to selectively unlock for accessing the fortified drop box through the lid. Wherein, the piece of outdoor furniture containing the fortified drop box is configured and shaped like functional outdoor furniture.

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.