US 7,726,146 B2 · Bar with multiple integral beverage thermal plates

Abstract

A refreshment bar includes one embodiment of a cooling or heating apparatus for food and/or beverage containers. The apparatus maintains a food or beverage container placed on one of the plates at a desired cold or hot temperature relative to the bar surface temperature and ambient temperature. The apparatus includes thermally conductive plates, for example stainless steel disks, positioned in recesses such that the upper surfaces of the plates are coplanar with the top surface of the bar, thereby providing a level surface. A thermal exchanger system is used to cool or heat the plates. The system includes a reservoir containing a thermal element and a thermal transfer fluid. The reservoir is located adjacent the lower surface of the bar top. The plates are thermally coupled to the thermal transfer fluid and thermal element, thereby cooling or heating the plates.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A thermal surface apparatus, comprising:

a furniture top having an upper surface and a lower surface;
a first opening defined in the upper surface of the furniture top;
a first thermally conductive plate having a single continuous upper surface and a lower surface, the first plate positioned in the first opening such that the upper surface of the first plate substantially fills the first opening and such that the upper surface of the furniture top and the upper surface of the first plate are substantially coplanar;
a thermal exchanger thermally coupled with the first plate;
a thermally conductive member thermally coupled between the first plate and the thermal exchanger;
and
a reservoir, the reservoir containing a heat transfer fluid, the heat transfer fluid thermally coupled with the member and the thermal exchanger;
the thermal exchanger comprising:
a vapor-compression system;
and
an evaporator tube in contact with at least one of the heat transfer fluid and the member.

8 more elements

A thermal surface apparatus comprising:

a furniture top having an upper surface and a lower surface;
a first opening defined in the upper surface of the furniture top, the first opening includes a recess;
a first thermally conductive plate having a single continuous upper surface and a lower surface, the first plate positioned in the first opening such that the upper surface of the first plate substantially fills the first opening and such that the upper surface of the furniture top and the upper surface of the first plate are substantially coplanar;
a thermal exchanger thermally coupled with the first plate;
a thermally conductive member thermally coupled between the first plate and the thermal exchanger;
a reservoir, the reservoir containing a heat transfer fluid, the heat transfer fluid thermally coupled with the member and the thermal exchanger;
and
a bore is defined from the recess through to the lower surface of the furniture top, and at least a portion of the member is positioned within the bore and the reservoir is positioned adjacent the lower surface of the furniture top.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Bar with multiple integral beverage thermal plates

Life of this patent

Bar with multiple integral beverage thermal plates

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18