At present in order to have a wide selection of cool drinks available a large volume of refrigerator space is required and the cooling time is extensive. It is the object of this invention to provide a rapid fluid cooler of increased performance.

According to the present invention there is provided a rapid fluid cooler, comprising an outer casing, a fluid conveyor for conveying fluid, an ice mould for moulding ice to the appropriate contour of at least one fluid container, a heat exchanger for the extraction of heat from the ice mould and a propulsion means for the rotation of a fluid container/heat exchanger.

The arrangement being such that when the fluid container is placed in the moulded ice and the rotating means is actuated causing the fluid container to rotate rapid heat exchange occurs between the fluid, the fluid container and the ice.

The first of two embodiments of the invention will now be explained by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figures 1 and 2 are an isometric view of the rapid fluid cooler according to the invention, Figures 3 is an isometric view of a stationary ice mould, Figure 4 is a through section along line"C"-"C"of the rapid fluid cooler for the removal of heat from the water, Figure 5 is a cross section of the rapid fluid cooler with the propulsion means for the rotation of the fluid container for the extraction of heat from the fluid container, and Figure 6 is a cross section of the rapid fluid cooler

with the propulsion means in its lowest most position. For ease of understanding the fluid container will be referred to hereafter as the can.

Referring to Figures 4-6 to initiate the cycle the water 1 is placed in a flexible container 2 and the heat exchanger 3 with the contour 20 is placed on and seals the flexible container 2. The optional cooling fan 4 is switched on and all placed into a freezer. The expansion of the ice is accommodated by the flexible container 2 and the heat exchanger/mould 3 remains rigid to form the required contour in the ice. When frozen the heat exchanger 3 is removed, the drive assembly 5 is slotted onto a pivot 6 and the can 7 is placed onto the contoured moulded ice. The rotor 8 exerts rotary motion and downward pressure onto the can via the grip ring (tyre) 9.

The rotation of the can produces a standing wave 10 in the fluid which in turn helps to produce turbulence in the fluid 11, the ever changing face of the fluid in relation to the can transfers its heat into the can which in turn is in direct communication with the moulded ice thus losing most of its heat between point A and point B. Tests have shown that a 500 ml can rotating at 300 r. p. m. can be cooled from 20 C to 5 C in under 2 minutes. A non-linear curve is produced between heat loss and speed of rotation but for these purposes heat loss increases with speed. The rapid heat loss combined with the smooth running of the can in the ice prevent carbonated drinks gassing up. If the can is rotated fast enough heat will also be lost due to the centrifugal force. As the ice melts and the can 7 descends, the drive assembly 5 follows its progress by means of the pivot 6 and can maintain the can/ice interface by way of gravity or mechanical encouragement

even when the can may be buoyant in the melted ice. The melted ice will act as a lubricant to ensure smooth running.

The ice can be moulded in any way to accommodate any shape suitable for rotation. As a precaution against end float, that is the propensity for the can to make contact with the outer casing, ice ends can be moulded into the ice to act as thrust washers. However, once the can has started its descent into the ice these will be self-forming provided the length of the ice is sufficiently longer than the can and the can is placed centrally to the ice.

When the process is finished the drive assembly 5 is removed and the heat exchanger lid is replaced, the water is reformed to the shape of the contour by displacement and replaced into the freezer. The re-freeze time will be largely determined by the amount of heat absorbed from the can (s) and the ambient temperature of the freezer. If a fan is used to speed the process it could be clock work to avoid using batteries or powered by an ultra thin ribbon cable (as used to connect PCBs) stuck across the freezer door surround to prevent damage to the freezer door seal.

The drive assembly 5 has a motor 12, a drive belt 13 and pulleys 14,15.

When the drive assembly 5 is lowered onto the can 7 the switch 17 supplies current from the power source 18 via a variable timer and variable speed control 19 to the motor 12. Once the ice has melted and the drive assembly is in its lowest position (Figure 6) the limit switch 16 will be tripped to stop rotation. The drive assembly can be clock work or cranked by hand if needs be.

Any number of drive wheels can be run from any number of motors to propel any number of fluid containers. It may be beneficial to reverse the direction

of the motor periodically to produce increased turbulence and to produce an even melt rate on either side of the ice, or the contour could be offset from the centre line of the ice.

Figure 3 is a stand alone ice mould to produce replacement moulded ice in times of greatest demand.

It should be appreciated that the device could be self cooling with any appropriate refrigerant apparatus, for example a low friction contour surface could replace the ice mould and the heat drawn out through the refrigerant or a bed of ice cubes could be used.

In a second embodiment, Figure 7 is an isometric view of the rotary heat exchanger and rotary ice mould. Figures 8 is an isometric view of the control box, Figures 9 is a view along lines'D"-"D"of a rotary heat exchanger and rotary ice mould.

Referring to Figure 7 the flexible container 21 contains a heat exchanger 22 is rotated by rotary means 23 and fluid is placed into filler port 24.

The flexible container 21 is filled with a fluid such as water/antifreeze through the filler port 24 and placed on the rotary means 23. The assembly is placed into a freezer and the fan 26, if fitted, is switched on circulating cold air in and around the heat exchanger. When the fluid has reached sub-zero temperature a measured amount of water/antifreeze may be placed in the cooling port 25 which acts as a fluid conveyor and the heat exchanger assembly 22 is rotated by the drive means 23 (which in this case follows the principles of a stone polishing tumbler) fitted with spiked rotors, not shown, for maximum grip when icy. The rotation causes the fluid to ride up the sides of the heat exchanger coating the inner wall and when frozen

forms a wall of slush or ice 28 thus moulding the ice dynamically by rotation. The object to be cooled 29 is placed in the cooler port 25, when the heat exchanger assembly is switched on at the control box 27 the rotation of the heat exchanger causes the can to rotate at a ratio determined by the can diameter over the inner wall diameter and loses its heat in a manner previously described. The heat from the can is dissipated into the slush/ice 28, in turn into the heat exchanger 22 and then into the slush/ice in the flexible container 21, if fitted, or directly into the freezer. When the can is removed (by a can shovel not shown) the heat exchanger continues to rotate thus re-coating the walls of the heat exchanger with fluid which turns back into slush/ice. The control box 27 can be fitted with speed control and produce periodic rotation to prevent moving parts from icing up, thermostatic control timer, and a warning device to prevent the freezer from over heating, all theses controls are known and proven. The system as described can be used dry by dispensing with the flexible container. The periphery of the heat exchanger 22 can be any size or shape for example oval to produce a stop-start motion it could be conical to allow a can to progress from one end to another during its rotation. This technique could be used for the rapid cooling of any freezer produce that benefits from rapid heat loss such as some dairy products.

The apparatus can be built as a permanent fixture in a freezer with its own separate door if required during manufacture or a removable addition.

Furthermore the arrangement can be used as a dehumidifier to reduce frost in the freezer. When the fan is on, the chill factor will reduce the temperature of the heat exchanger making it more likely to attract water particles. This can easily be defrosted by soaking in warm water.