WO2024179935A1

WO2024179935A1 - Cooling apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2024179935A1
Application number: PCT/EP2024/054648
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mitja Laharnar
Original assignee: Enviro-Cool (UK) Limited
Priority date: 2023-02-28
Filing date: 2024-02-23
Publication date: 2024-09-06

Abstract

A gripper assembly (201) of or usable in a cooling apparatus (101) for cooling a product (P) by rotation comprises positioning elements (203A, 204A, 205A) to urge a product (P) received in a product-receiving volume (202) towards an oriented position in which a longitudinal axis (LA) of the product (P) is aligned with a central axis (CA) of the product- receiving volume (202). A positioning element control arrangement of the gripper assembly (201) that is operable to hold the positioning elements (203A, 204A, 205A) in an inactive condition, clear of the product-receiving volume (202), for allowing a product (P) to be inserted into and removed from the product-receiving volume (202) without interference from the positioning elements (203A, 204A, 205A). Positioning elements (203A, 204A) of the gripper assembly (201) that are movable dependent on each other. Positioning elements (203A, 204A) of the gripper assembly (201) that are centrifugally actuated.

Description

COOLING APPARATUS

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to improvements in or relating to cooling.

Background of the Invention

In catering, retail and entertainment sectors, various forms of vending devices are used in order to keep products chilled. For cold beverages these devices form two typical groups - commercial drinks refrigerators and cold beverage vending machines. Both types of device are essentially large glass-fronted refrigerators having hinged or sliding doors in the case of the first group (for manual dispensing) or a dispensing mechanism in the case of the second. They pre-cool and store drinks ready for purchase. In many cases, the drinks are maintained at low temperatures for long periods before they are eventually purchased. As a result, considerable energy is used potentially unnecessarily. Compounding the problem, both types of device operate inefficiently. In use, drinks refrigerators of the first group suffer substantial loss of cold air every time the large door is opened. Vending machines must provide easy passage to the vending tray where the item is collected by the user, resulting in poor sealing. Refrigeration systems generally have a requirement to be exercised through background running cycles to maintain efficiency, but this uses additional energy not directly contributing to chilling the contents.

It is also known for many beverage retailers to stock beverages in open-fronted refrigerated cabinets for ease of access and visibility of product. These cabinets obviously suffer even greater energy wastage. The net result is high levels of wasted electrical energy used keeping drinks in a long- term cold state in readiness for purchasing, regardless of whenever that might occur.

Energy wastage is not confined to corporate sites hosting vending machines. Many small corner shops, petrol stations and cafe outlets host drinks chilling cabinets. For these operators, electrical energy costs will represent a high proportion of their operational overhead. Energy wastage is not the only issue. Since refrigeration systems generate heat, often the wasted heat energy by-product from the refrigeration system causes unwanted warming of the localised area around the machines. This creates an inconsistency in which users must drink their satisfactorily chilled drinks in unsatisfactorily warm areas. Speed of cooling is also an issue, particularly in establishments having a high turnover of beverages, such as at special events - concerts, sporting events and so on. Often at the state of the event drinks are adequately cooled by having been in refrigerators for several hours. However, once the even it under way, the volume of drinks being sold exceeds the capacity of the refrigerators to chill further drinks. Drinks must then be sold only partially chilled or not chilled at all.

International Patent Publications WO 201 1/012902 Al and WO 201 l/ l 14158 A2 disclose a cooling apparatus comprising a cavity for receipt of a product to be cooled. The apparatus comprises rotation means to rotate a product received in the cavity and cooling fluid supply means to provide a cooling fluid to the cavity. The rotation means is adapted to provide a pulsed or non-continuous rotation for a predetermined period. The apparatus can be a standalone device or may be incorporated into a vending machine. The reader is referred to the publications for further background.

It is known for beverages to be supplied in containers of different sizes and materials, for example a metal can, a plastic bottle, a glass bottle. A challenge exists in ensuring that different types of containers are properly supported during rotation within the cavity of the cooling apparatus. For stable rotation of the container, there should be no angular deviation of the container’s central axis with respect to the axis of rotation; however, the extent of support that a container can require to maintain it in a desired orientation during rotation is related to various physical factors such as container height, weight, cross-sectional profile (shape in a radial plane through which a central axis in the longitudinal direction extends perpendicularly, and variation in the axial direction), rigidity.

For example, while both aluminium carbonated drinks cans and glass wine bottles are known that have radial symmetry and a circular cross-sectional shape, the diameter of an aluminium carbonated drinks can is typically substantially constant from top to bottom whereas the diameter of a glass wine bottle typically varies considerably, often incorporating a region of transition from a wider body portion to a narrower neck portion at the top end; a typical glass wine bottle is also taller and heavier than a typical aluminium carbonated drinks can. Thus, a typical wine glass bottle may require support in the radial direction at axially spaced positions where the cross-sectional diameter is different and can require a stabilising force to be applied to it during rotation that is greater than that required to hold a typical aluminium carbonated drinks can steady.

One known approach to supporting a product to be rotated utilises a base element on which the bottom of the product is placed and an arrangement of spring-loaded arms that are resiliently biased inwardly towards a centre point of the base element for gripping a product placed on the base element. The arrangement of spring-loaded arms allows containers of different diameters to be accommodated. A problem with the known approach in that the extent of radial support that a heavier, rigid container can require to maintain it in a desired orientation during rotation can cause distortion in the walling of a lighter, flexible type of container. For example, the same spring-loaded arms that can radially apply a force sufficient to stabilise a glass bottle can deform a plastic bottle. Another problem with the known approach is that positioning the product for rotation involves pushing the product towards the base element with a force that is sufficient to move the spring-loaded arms radially outwardly to accommodate the product. The greater the diameter of the product to be rotated, the greater the extent of movement of the spring-loaded arms against the biasing force is required. Further, with an arrangement of spring-loaded arms designed to accommodate different height containers, it is possible for some of the spring-loaded arms to close in over the top of a relatively short container placed on the base element and be a hinderance to the removal of the container from the base element.

An objective of the present invention is to provide an improved means of supporting the product for stable rotation.

Summary of the Invention

According to an aspect there is provided a cooling apparatus comprising a cavity for receipt of a product to be cooled; a rotation arrangement to rotate a product received in the cavity and a coolant supply arrangement to supply a cooling fluid to the cavity; the cooling apparatus further comprising a gripper assembly to support a product received in the cavity for stable rotation about a rotation axis; the gripper assembly comprising a plurality of positioning elements to urge a product received in a product-receiving volume within the cavity towards an oriented position in which a longitudinal axis of the product is aligned with a central axis of the product-receiving volume; wherein the gripper assembly comprises a positioning element control arrangement operable to hold the positioning elements in an inactive condition in which the positioning elements are clear of the product-receiving volume, for allowing a product to be inserted into and removed from the product-receiving volume without interference from the positioning elements.

The cooling fluid may be a cooling liquid or a cooling gas.

In an application, the central axis of the product-receiving volume is coincident with the rotation axis.

The plurality of positioning elements may comprise spring-actuated positioning members, each having a contact region resiliently biased radially inwardly towards the central axis of the product-receiving volume. The spring-actuated positioning elements may comprise a wing element that is rotatable about a pivot axis that extends at a tangent to a radial plane through which the central axis extends perpendicularly.

The plurality of positioning elements may comprise a group of the spring-actuated positioning elements in which the contact regions are movable independently of each other.

The plurality of positioning elements may comprise a group of spring-actuated positioning elements in which the contact regions are interlinked to be movable dependently on each other towards and away from the central axis. The cooling apparatus may comprise a base element to axially support a product that is received in the product-receiving volume and located on an upper side of the base element. The interlinked contact regions may be operatively linked, through channels defined in the base element, to an interlinking assembly, the channels in the base element shaped to guide the motion of the interlinked contact regions radially towards and away from the central axis. The plurality of positioning elements may comprise a first group of spring-actuated positioning elements in which the contact regions thereof are interlinked to be movable dependently on each other, and a second group of spring-actuated positioning elements in which the contact regions thereof are movable independently of each other, the groups spaced axially from each other.

The gripper assembly may comprise a frame on which a plurality of spring-actuated positioning elements are carried, the frame comprising an upper subframe element movable relative to a lower subframe element between a first relative condition in which the spring-actuated positioning elements are held in the inactive condition and a second relative condition in which the spring-actuated positioning elements are released from the inactive condition. The upper subframe element may be telescopically slidable relative to the lower subframe element between the first and second relative conditions, the frame having a depth when in the first relative condition that is less than when the frame is in the second relative condition. The upper subframe element may be resiliently biased towards the second relative condition. The cooling apparatus may comprise an actuator, operatively connected between the upper subframe element and a cavity lid of the cooling apparatus, the actuator operable to drive the upper subframe element into the first relative condition on opening the cavity lid and to allow the upper subframe element to return to the second relative condition on closing the cavity lid.

Thus, the spring-actuated positioning elements may be caused to be moved clear of the product-receiving volume when the cavity lid is opened, to facilitate unimpeded insertion into and removal of a product from the gripper assembly, and to be released to allow gripping of a product received in the product-receiving volume when the cavity lid is closed.

The plurality of positioning elements may comprise centrifugally-actuated positioning elements, each having a contact region on one side of a pivot axis thereof and a weighted region on the other side of the pivot axis and being rotatable about the pivot axis under the influence of a centrifugal force acting on the weighted region to move the contact radially inwardly towards the central axis of the product-receiving volume. The centrifugally-actuated positioning elements may be resiliently biased towards the inactive condition by resilient biasing elements of the positioning element control arrangement.

The plurality of positioning elements may comprise a first group of spring-actuated positioning elements in which the contact regions thereof are interlinked to be movable dependently on each other, a second group of spring-actuated positioning elements in which the contact regions thereof are movable independently of each other, and a third group of centrifugally- actuated positioning elements, the groups spaced axially from each other. The second group may be disposed, in the axial direction, between the first group and the third group.

According to another aspect there is provided a cooling apparatus comprising a cavity for receipt of a product to be cooled; a rotation arrangement to rotate a product received in the cavity and a coolant supply arrangement to supply a cooling fluid to the cavity; the cooling apparatus further comprising a gripper assembly to support a product received in the cavity for stable rotation about a rotation axis; the gripper assembly comprising a plurality of positioning elements to urge a product received in a product-receiving volume within the cavity towards an oriented position in which a longitudinal axis of the product is aligned with a central axis of the product-receiving volume; the plurality of positioning elements comprising centrifugally-actuated positioning elements, each having a contact region on one side of a pivot axis thereof and a weighted region on the other side of the pivot axis and being rotatable about the pivot axis under the influence of a centrifugal force acting on the weighted region to move the contact radially inwardly towards the central axis of the product-receiving volume.

According to a further aspect there is provided a cooling apparatus comprising a cavity for receipt of a product to be cooled; a rotation arrangement to rotate a product received in the cavity and a coolant supply arrangement to supply a cooling fluid to the cavity; the cooling apparatus further comprising a gripper assembly to support a product received in the cavity for stable rotation about a rotation axis; the gripper assembly comprising a plurality of positioning elements to urge a product received in a product-receiving volume within the cavity towards an oriented position in which a longitudinal axis of the product is aligned with a central axis of the product-receiving volume; the plurality of positioning elements comprising each having a contact region the contact regions interlinked to be movable dependently on each other towards and away from the central axis.

The plurality of positioning elements may comprise spring-actuated positioning members, each having a contact region resiliently biased radially inwardly towards the central axis of the product-receiving volume.

The rotation arrangement of the cooling apparatus of any one of the aspects may be adapted to provide a pulsed or non-continuous rotation for a predetermined period.

The rotation arrangement may be adapted to reciprocatingly translate a product received in the cavity in a longitudinal direction, along a translation axis that is aligned with the central axis of the product-receiving volume, for a predetermined period.

The cooling arrangement may be configured to supply a cooling liquid to the cavity. The cooling arrangement may be configured to supply a cooling gas to the cavity. The cooling gas may be air.

The cooling apparatus of any one of the aspects may be comprised by a vending apparatus that further comprises an insertion and removal arrangement to insert a product to be cooled into the cavity and to remove the cooled product therefrom.

In use, the gripping apparatus functions to maintain a product to be cooled by rotation in a proper orientation for stable rotation about a rotation axis. Advantageously, the gripping apparatus comprises positioning elements that can accommodate different product diameters and heights, within a range allowed by a product-receiving volume provided for receiving a product to be rotated, and that are held clear of the product-receiving volume to allow for unobstructed insertion and withdrawal of the product into and from the gripper assembly.

Further particular and preferred aspects of the invention are set out in the accompanying dependent claims. Brief Description of the Drawings

The present invention will now be more particularly described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure I illustrates features of a cooling apparatus for cooling a product by rotation, the cooling apparatus comprising a gripper assembly according to an example of the present invention;

Figures 2 & 3 show the gripper assembly of Figure I , with positioning elements thereof in different conditions;

Figures 4 to 6 illustrate a group of positioning elements of the gripper assembly of Figure

Figures 7 to 9 illustrate another group of positioning elements of the gripper assembly of

Figure I ;

Figures 10 to 12 illustrate a further group of positioning elements of the gripper assembly of Figure I ;

Figures 13 to 15 the gripper assembly of Figure I with a product; and

Figure 16 shows a cross-sectional view of the gripper assembly of Figure I .

Description

Illustrative embodiments and examples are described below in sufficient detail to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to embody and implement the apparatus described herein. It is to be understood that embodiments and examples can be provided in many alternate forms and the invention should not be construed as limited to the embodiments and examples set forth herein but by the scope of the appended claims.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein are to be interpreted as is customary in the art. In addition, features referred to herein in the singular can number one or more, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Similarly, the terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “includes”, “including”, “has” and/or “having” when used herein, specify the presence of the stated feature or features and do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In the following description, all orientational terms, such as upper, lower, radially and axially, are used in relation to the drawings and should not be interpreted as limiting on the invention, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, and in some instances the drawings may have been exaggerated or simplified for illustrative purposes only.

Features of a cooling apparatus 101 for cooling a product by rotation are shown in Figure I . In an application, the product is a container in which a liquid is contained. In an application, the container is a beverage container. The beverage container may be a metal, a plastic or a glass container, for example a drinks can or a bottle, and the liquid it contains may be a still or a carbonated beverage.

Cooling apparatus 101 comprises a cavity 102 for receipt of a product to be cooled (not shown in this Figure), a rotation arrangement, indicated at 103, to rotate a product received in the cavity 102, and a coolant supply arrangement, indicated at 104, to supply a cooling fluid (not shown) to the cavity 102. The cooling fluid may be a cooling liquid or a cooling gas.

The rotation arrangement 103 may comprise any suitable mechanism for causing rotation of the product (a direction of rotation is indicated in Figure I by arrow R).

The rotation arrangement 103 may comprise any suitable mechanism for causing reciprocating translation of the product in a longitudinal direction (indicated in Figure I by arrow T). In other words, the product may be moved up-and-down repetitively along an axis, which the product may also be spun around.

In an example, the rotation arrangement 103 can cause the product to be reciprocatingly translated while it is rotating.

The rotation arrangement 103 may comprise a mechanism suitable for effecting both rotation and reciprocating translation of the product. Alternatively, the rotation arrangement 103 may comprise a mechanism for effecting the rotation, and another mechanism for effecting the reciprocating translation, of the product; in an example, the mechanisms may be operatively interrelated or independent. It has been found that during rotation of a product, for example a can containing a carbonated beverage, a forced vortex develops. It has also been found that collapsing the vortex during the cooling process promotes a more even temperature distribution throughout the liquid contents. International Patent Publication WO 201 1/012902 A discloses using intermittent rotation to allow the vortex to collapse several times during the cooling process and achieve a more rapid cooling. It has further been found that moving the product up and down, with a reciprocating motion, can break the vortex and, for carbonated liquids, prevent undesired fizzing.

In an example, the rotation arrangement comprises a turntable, which may be a direct-drive turntable. In an example, the rotation arrangement is adapted to rotate the product at a rotational speed of 90 revolutions per minute or more. In an example, the rotational speed is variable, for example selectable according to one or more product characteristics.

In an example, the rotation arrangement, in addition to being operable to cause rotation of the turntable about a rotation axis, is operable to cause reciprocating translation of the turntable along the rotation axis. Thus, in such an example, the rotation arrangement can cause the turntable to spin around a vertical rotation axis and also to move up-and-down along the vertical rotation axis.

The coolant supply arrangement 104 may comprise any suitable mechanism for controlling a supply of a cooling fluid to the cavity 102.

In an example, the coolant supply arrangement provides a flow of a cooling liquid to the cavity for filling the cavity before rotation of a product and a flow of the cooling liquid from the cavity for draining the cavity after rotation of the product. The coolant supply arrangement may provide a flow of the cooling liquid through the cavity during rotation of a product. The cooling liquid may be any suitable liquid. In an example, the cooling liquid is supplied to the cavity at a temperature of - 10°C or less. In an alternative example, the coolant supply arrangement provides a flow of a cooling gas. In an example, the cooling gas is air. The coolant supply arrangement may provide a flow of the cooling gas through the cavity at least during rotation of a product.

The coolant supply arrangement may comprise any suitable componentry for actuating and halting flow of the cooling fluid. The coolant supply arrangement may comprise any suitable componentry for achieving a required temperature of the cooling fluid.

Cooling apparatus 101 also comprises a controller 105 for controlling operation of the cooling apparatus 101. The controller may comprise a data processor with access to data storage. The controller may control various functions associated with the rotation arrangement and the coolant supply arrangement.

A gripper assembly 201 according to a specific example of the present invention is indicated. Gripper assembly 201 is shown located in the cavity 102 of cooling apparatus 101 , to support a product for stable rotation about a rotation axis AR. An axial direction AD, a radial direction RD, a radial plane RP and a circumferential direction CD with respect to the rotation axis AR are referred to hereinafter.

A product received by the gripper assembly 201 is received within a product-receiving volume 202 having a central axis CA. The gripper assembly 201 is functional to urge a received product towards an oriented position in which a longitudinal axis of the product is coincident with the central axis CA. According to a preferred application, and as shown in Figure I , the central axis CA of the product-receiving volume 202 is coincident with the rotation axis AR. In a preferred application, gripper assembly 201 is functional to urge a received product in the form of an individual container towards an oriented position in which a longitudinal axis of the product is coincident with the rotation axis AR.

According to the specific arrangement shown, cooling apparatus 101 further comprises a cavity lid 106 to selectively close and open the cavity 102 for allowing a product to be inserted into and withdrawn from the cavity 102. In an example the cavity lid 106 is hinged to a body

Figure is an actuator 200, operatively connected between gripper assembly 201 and the cavity lid 106.

Features of gripper assembly 201 will now be described in further detail. It is to be understood that the gripper assembly of the specific illustrated example incorporates the following different independent aspects:

- positioning elements to urge a product received in a product-receiving volume towards an oriented position in which a longitudinal axis of the product is aligned with a central axis of the product-receiving volume and a positioning element control arrangement operable to hold the positioning elements in an inactive condition in which the positioning elements are clear of the product-receiving volume, for allowing a product to be inserted into and removed from the product-receiving volume without interference from the positioning elements;

- positioning elements to urge a product received in a product-receiving volume towards an oriented position in which a longitudinal axis of the product is aligned with a central axis of the product-receiving volume, the positioning elements comprising centrifugally- actuated positioning elements, each comprising a contact region and a weighted region, the radial position of the contact region relative to the central axis being influenced by the extent of centrifugal force acting on the weighted region;

- positioning elements to urge a product received in a product-receiving volume towards an oriented position in which a longitudinal axis of the product is aligned with a central axis of the product-receiving volume, each positioning element comprising a contact region that is interlinked with the contact region of at least one other of the positioning elements, the interlinked contact regions movable dependently on each other radially towards and away from the central axis.

Gripper assembly 201 is shown in Figure 2 in a first condition and is shown in Figure 3 in a second, different condition. In each of these Figures, the gripper assembly 201 is shown without a product received within product-receiving region 202.

Gripper assembly 201 comprises a plurality of positioning elements, such as positioning elements 203A, 204A and 205A, to urge a product received in the product-receiving volume 202 towards an oriented position in which a longitudinal axis of the product is aligned with a central axis, indicated at CA, of the product-receiving volume 202. The term “aligned with” is used herein to mean coincident with or alternatively parallel to (which of these is applicable may depend on the context in which term is used). The gripper assembly is usable in a cooling apparatus in which the product to be cooled, such as a single can or bottle, is in an upright orientation when being rotated, the purpose of the gripper assembly to maintain the product properly vertical so that it rotates stably.

Gripper assembly 201 comprises a base element 206 to axially support a product received in the product-receiving volume 202 and located on an upper side 207 of the base element 206. According to the shown arrangement, the upper side 207 of the base element 206 presents a substantially planar surface, extending in a radial plane to which the central axis CA extends perpendicularly.

As will be described further, positioning elements 203A, 204A, 205A are each one of a respective subplurality of like positioning elements of the plurality of the positioning elements of the gripper assembly. Positioning element 203A is one of a first group 301 of positioning elements that are distributed circumferentially around the central axis CA at a first axial position API above the upper side 207 of the base element 206. Positioning element 204A is one of a second group 302 of positioning elements that are distributed circumferentially around the central axis CA at a second axial position AP2 above the upper side 207 of the base element 206. As shown, the second axial position AP2 is further above the upper side 207 of the base element 206 than the first axial position API . Positioning element 205A is one of a third group 303 of positioning elements that are distributed circumferentially around the central axis CA at a third axial position AP3 above the upper side 207 of the base element 206. As shown, the third axial position AP3 is further above the upper side 207 of the base element 206 than the second axial position AP2, and hence also the first axial position API .

Each of the groups 301 , 302 and 303 is shown to have a total of 3 of the respective positioning elements 203A, 204A and 205A. However, each group may have a different total number of positioning elements in it, and the total number of positioning elements in one group may be the same as or different from the total number of positioning elements in another group. The positioning elements of each group are shown to be spaced equidistantly. However, any suitable spacing between the positioning elements of a group may be used, and the distribution pattern of the positioning elements in one group may be the same as or different from the positioning elements in another group.

As will be described, the illustrated positioning elements 203A, 204A, 205A differ from each other. It is to be appreciated that a gripper assembly according to the present invention may comprise multiple groups of one of the types of positioning element described herein, at different axial positions, and may comprise only some of the types of positioning of positioning element described herein. In an example comprising multiple groups of the same type of positioning element, equidistantly spaced positioning elements of one group may be offset in the circumferential direction from those of another group.

Gripper assembly 201 comprises a frame 208 on which the positioning elements 203A, 204A, 205A are carried. Frame 208 comprises an upper subframe element 209 and a lower subframe element 210. The upper subframe element 210 comprises an upper member 21 I that in this specific illustrated example is annular. In this specific example, the lower subframe element 201 and the base element 206 are fixed in relation to one another.

Positioning elements 204A-C of second group 302 will now be described with reference to Figures 4 to 6. Figure 4 is a perspective view, Figure 5 a side view and Figure 6 a plan view of gripper assembly 201 .

Each of the positioning elements 204A-C comprises a spring-actuated positioning member, having a contact region, such as contact region 601 A of positioning element 204A, resiliently biased radially inwardly towards the central axis CA of the product-receiving volume 202. The shown spring-actuated positioning member 204A comprises a biasing element, indicated generally at 501 A, which in this specific illustrated example is a torsional spring.

The contact region 601 A of the positioning element 204A is shown in Figure 6 in an at rest position in which it is at its radially closest possible position to the central axis CA. The contact region 601 A is movable from the at rest position, radially further away from the central axis CA, against the biasing force provided by the biasing element 501 A.

In this specific illustrated example, the positioning elements 204A-C take the form of a pivotable wing having an end that provides the contact region, for example pivotable wing 602A of positioning element 204A that is rotatable about a pivot axis 603A to move contact region 601 A inwardly towards and outwardly away from the central axis CA. The pivot axis 603A is shown to extend at a tangent to radial plane RP (to which the central axis CA of the product-receiving volume is normal). Thus, in a general sense, contact region 601 A of the pivotable wing 602A is movable up-and-down as opposed to side-to-side.

The contact regions of the positioning elements 204A-C of group 302 are movable independently of each other.

When in use, each of the positioning elements 204A-C of group 302 applies a force to the exterior of a product received between them, the positioning elements of the group acting together to centralise the product between them. When the bottom of the product is resting on the upper surface 207 of the base element 206, the action of the positioning elements 204A-C of group 302 serves to correct any angular deviation of the longitudinal axis of the product from the desired oriented position (properly vertical). Thus, the positioning elements serve to maintain an upright orientation of the product.

In this specific illustrated example, the positioning elements 204A-C of group 302 are fixed to a support ring 401 , which is connected to frame 208.

Positioning elements 203A-C of first group 301 will now be described with reference to Figures 7 to 9. Figure 7 is a perspective view, Figure 8 a side view and Figure 9 a plan view of gripper assembly 201 .

Each of the positioning elements 203A-C comprises a spring-actuated positioning member having a contact region, such as contact region 801 A of positioning element 203A, resiliently biased radially inwardly towards the central axis CA of the product-receiving volume 202. The shown spring-actuated positioning member 203A comprises a biasing element, indicated generally at 701 A, which in this specific illustrated example is a double torsional spring.

The contact region 801 A of the positioning element 203A is shown in Figure 9 in an at rest position in which it is at its radially closest possible position to the central axis CA. The contact region 801 A is movable from the at rest position, radially further away from the central axis CA, against the biasing force provided by the biasing element 701 A.

In this specific illustrated example, the positioning elements 204-C take the form of a pivotable wing having an end that is linked to an upstanding wall that provides the contact region, for example pivotable wing 901 A of positioning element 204A that has an end linked to upstanding wall 902A that provides the contact region 801 A, the pivotable wing 901 A rotatable about a pivot axis 903A to move contact region 801 A inwardly towards and outwardly away from the central axis CA. The pivot axis 903A is shown to extend at a tangent to radial plane RP (to which the central axis CA of the product-receiving volume is normal).

As illustrated, the contact region 801 A presents a surface that extends in the axial direction AD and that curves generally concavely in the circumferential direction CD.

The contact regions of the positioning elements 203A-C of group 301 are interlinked to be movable dependently on each other towards and away from the central axis CA.

According to this specific illustrated example, the contact regions of the positioning elements 203A-C are operatively linked, through channels defined in the base element 206, such as channel 702A associated with positioning element 203A, to an interlinking assembly, indicated generally at 802, disposed under the upper surface 207 of the base element 206. The channels in the base element are shaped to guide the motion of the interlinked contact regions radially towards and away from the central axis CA. In this specific illustrated example, a rod movable within each channel links a contact region of one positioning element to the interlinking assembly, for example rod 903A movable along channel 702A connects the contact region 801 A of positioning element 203A to the interlinking assembly 802. When in use, each of the positioning elements 203A-C of group 301 applies a force to the exterior of a product received between them and placed on the base, the positioning elements 203A-C of group 301 acting together to centralise the product between them, and to maintain an upright orientation of the product. The interlinking between the contact regions of the positioning elements 203A-C serves to improve the positioning and supporting functionality they provide, by distributing forces between them. The interlinking assembly may comprise a gearing assembly to improve the smoothness of the synchronous motion of the contact regions of the positioning elements. The described and illustrated shape of the contact regions of the positioning elements 203A-C also functions to improve stable centralising and gripping of a product placed on the base element 206.

In this specific illustrated example, the positioning elements 203A-C of group 301 are fixed to a support ring 703, which is connected to frame 208.

Referring again also to Figures 2 and 3, gripper assembly 201 comprises a positioning element control arrangement operable to hold the positioning elements in an inactive condition in which the positioning elements are clear of the product-receiving volume 202, for allowing a product to be inserted into and removed from the product-receiving volume 202 without interference from the positioning elements.

It is to be appreciated that the positioning element control arrangement may both comprise one or more features that are provided only for its purpose and utilise or incorporate one or more other features that also contribute to another function of the gripper assembly so that the positioning element control arrangement is not completely distinguishable or separable from the remainder of the gripper assembly.

In this specific example, the positioning element control arrangement is operable to apply a force to the positioning elements 203A-C of group 301 and to the positioning elements 204A- C of group 302 that causes the pivotable wing elements thereof to be rotated to move the respective contact regions radially outwardly. In this specific illustrated example, the upper subframe element 209 is movable relative to the lower subframe element 210 between a first relative condition in which the spring-actuated positioning elements are held in the inactive condition and a second relative condition in which the spring-actuated positioning elements are released from the inactive condition.

According to the shown construction, the upper subframe element 209 is movable relative to the lower subframe element 210 between the first relative condition and the second relative condition, the frame 208 having a first depth D I when in the first relative condition and a different, second depth D2 when in the second relative condition, the first depth D I less than the second depth D2. More specifically, the upper subframe element 209 is telescopically slidable relative to the lower subframe element 210 between the first and the second relative conditions. As the upper subframe element 209 moves downwards, the spring-actuated positioning members are caused to be forced out from the product-receiving volume 202; as the upper subframe element 209 moves back upwards, the spring-actuated positioning members are caused to be allowed to move back into the product-receiving volume 202. This is achieved by interaction between the frame 208 and the support rings 401 , 703 that the positioning elements 203A-C of group 301 and the positioning elements 204A-C of group 302 are fixed to.

With the illustrated construction, pushing down on the annular upper member 21 I of the upper subframe element 209 pushes the upper subframe element 209 towards the base element 206 and into the first relative condition. According to this specific illustrated example, the upper subframe element 209 is resiliently biased towards the second relative condition by at least one biasing element 212. In an example, the at least one biasing element 212 comprises at least one helical spring.

In this example, the actuator 200, operatively connected between gripper assembly 201 and the cavity lid 106, is operable to move the upper subframe element 209 into the first relative condition on opening the cavity lid 106 and to allow the upper subframe element 209 to return to the second relative condition on closing the cavity lid 106. In an example, the actuator 200 comprises a pusher that is caused to be driven downwards (towards the base element 206) on opening the cavity lid 106 to push down on the annular upper member 21 I and that is caused to be lifted upwards (away from the base element 206) on closing the cavity lid 106 to allow raising of the annular upper member 21 1. Thus, when the cavity lid 106 is open, the spring-actuated positioning members are clear of the product-receiving volume 202, allowing a product to be easily put into and taken out from the cavity 201 and when the cavity lid 106 is closed the spring-actuated positioning members can actively grip a product received within the product-receiving volume 202.

It is to be appreciated that the spring-actuated positioning members can accommodate different product diameters within a particular range. In this specific illustrated example, the spring-actuated positioning members 203A-C and 204A-C of the first and second groups 301 , 302 are arranged to support the body of a can or a bottle.

Positioning elements 205A-C of third group 303 will now be described with reference to Figures 10 to 12. Figure 10 is a perspective view, Figure I I a side view and Figure 12 a plan view of gripper assembly 201 .

Each of the positioning elements 205A-C comprises a centrifugally-actuated positioning elements 205A-C, having a contact region on one side of a pivot axis thereof and a weighted region on the other side of the pivot axis and being rotatable about the pivot axis under the influence of a centrifugal force acting on the weighted region to move the contact radially inwardly towards the central axis CA of the product-receiving volume 202, such as contact region 1001 A on one side of pivot axis I 002A of positioning element 205A and weighted region 1003A on the other side of the pivot axis 1002A.

Pivot axis 1002A is shown to be parallel to the central axis CA. As also shown, pivot axis 1002A extends through a pillar 1005 of the frame 208.

When the frame 208 is rotated around the central axis CA, a centrifugal force acting on the weighted region causes the centrifugally-actuated positioning elements to rotate so that the contact regions move towards the central axis CA. In use, each of the positioning elements 205 A-C of group 303 applies a force to the exterior of a product received between them, the positioning elements 205A-C of the group 303 acting together to centralise the product between them.

In this specific illustrated example, the centrifugally-actuated positioning elements 205A-C of the third group 303 are arranged to support a bottle (placed on the base element 206), to inhibit angular displacement of the longitudinal axis of the bottle from the proper orientation during rotation (a bottle having a greater tendency towards instability due its height, weight and shape than, for example, a beverage can).

The centrifugally-actuated positioning elements can accommodate different product diameters within a particular range. However, the height that the centrifugally-actuated positioning elements 205A-C of the third group 303 are located above the upper surface 207 of the base element 206 (axial position AP3) is such that they will not engage a container having a lower height. In an example, the axial displacement of centrifugally-actuated positioning elements above the upper surface 207 of the base element 206 may be such that they will, for example, grip a taller, heavier glass bottle but not a shorter, lighter aluminium can.

According to this specific example, the centrifugally-actuated positioning elements 205A-C are resiliently biased towards the inactive condition, clear of the product-receiving volume 202, by resilient biasing elements of the positioning element control arrangement, such as resilient biasing element 1004A operatively engaged between positioning element 205A and the frame 208.

Gripper assembly 201 is shown in Figures 13 to 15 with a product received in the productreceiving volume 202. Figure 13 is a perspective view, Figure 14 a side view and Figure 15 a plan view of gripper assembly 201 with product P. In the illustrated scenario, the product P is a glass wine bottle. The bottom of the product P is placed on the upper surface 207 of the base element 206, and the first, second and third groups 301 , 302, 303 of positioning elements are functional to urge the product P towards an oriented position in which a longitudinal axis LA of the product P is coincident with the central axis CA of the product-receiving volume 202. In Figure 13, an undesirable angular displacement of the longitudinal axis LA of the product P from a vertical orientation for stable rotation (about rotation axis AR) is indicated at 1301 , which the positioning elements of the gripper assembly serve to prevent. In other words, the gripper assembly functions to counter tipping of the product P away from properly upright.

A cross-sectional view of gripper assembly 201 is shown in Figure 16. Each component of the gripper assembly may be fabricated from any suitable material or material, may be produced using any suitable process or processes and may have any suitable dimensions.

In an application the cooling apparatus is incorporated in a vending apparatus, which comprises an insertion and removal arrangement to insert a product to be cooled into the cavity and to remove the cooled product therefrom. Preferably, the vending apparatus comprises a storage compartment for storing a product or range of products and a product selection arrangement for selecting a product from the storage compartment to be cooled. The vending apparatus may incorporate or be associated with include a payment collection arrangement such as a coin-operated mechanism or a card-reading apparatus for deducting a charge from a card.

Disclosed herein is a gripper assembly of or usable in a cooling apparatus for cooling a product by rotation that comprises positioning elements to urge a product received in a productreceiving volume towards an oriented position in which a longitudinal axis of the product is aligned with a central axis of the product-receiving volume. A positioning element control arrangement of the gripper assembly is disclosed that is operable to hold the positioning elements in an inactive condition, clear of the product-receiving volume, for allowing a product to be inserted into and removed from the product-receiving volume without interference from the positioning elements. Positioning elements of the gripper assembly are disclosed that are movable dependent on each other. Positioning elements of the gripper assembly are disclosed that are centrifugally actuated.

Although illustrative embodiments and examples of the invention have been disclosed in detail herein, with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise embodiment and examples shown and/or described and that various changes and modifications can be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1 . A cooling apparatus comprising a cavity for receipt of a product to be cooled; a rotation arrangement to rotate a product received in the cavity and a coolant supply arrangement to supply a cooling fluid to the cavity; the cooling apparatus further comprising a gripper assembly to support a product received in the cavity for stable rotation about a rotation axis; the gripper assembly comprising a plurality of positioning elements to urge a product received in a product-receiving volume within the cavity towards an oriented position in which a longitudinal axis of the product is aligned with a central axis of the product-receiving volume; wherein the gripper assembly comprises a positioning element control arrangement operable to hold the positioning elements in an inactive condition in which the positioning elements are clear of the product-receiving volume, for allowing a product to be inserted into and removed from the product-receiving volume without interference from the positioning elements.

2. The cooling apparatus of claim I , comprising a group of spring-actuated positioning elements, the spring-actuated positioning elements of the group spaced equidistantly around the central axis.

3. The cooling apparatus of claim I or claim 2, the plurality of positioning elements comprising spring-actuated positioning members, each having a contact region resiliently biased radially inwardly towards the central axis of the product-receiving volume.

4. The cooling apparatus of claim 3, comprising spring-actuated positioning elements that comprise a wing element rotatable about a pivot axis that extends at a tangent to a radial plane through which the central axis extends perpendicularly.

5. The cooling apparatus of claim 3 or claim 4, comprising a group of the spring-actuated positioning elements in which the contact regions are movable independently of each other.

6. The cooling apparatus of claim 3 or claim 4, comprising a group of spring-actuated positioning elements in which the contact regions are interlinked to be movable dependently on each other towards and away from the central axis.

7. The cooling apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, comprising a base element to axially support a product received in the product-receiving volume and located on an upper side of the base element.

8. The cooling apparatus of claims 6 and 7, the interlinked contact regions operatively linked, through channels defined in the base element, to an interlinking assembly, the channels in the base element shaped to guide the motion of the interlinked contact regions radially towards and away from the central axis.

9. The cooling apparatus of claims 5 and 6, in which the group of spring-actuated positioning elements in which the contact regions thereof are interlinked to be movable dependently on each other towards and away from the central axis form a first subplurality of the plurality of positioning members, and the group of spring-actuated positioning elements in which the contact regions thereof are movable independently of each other form a second subplurality of the plurality of positioning members, the second subplurality spaced axially from the first subplurality.

10. The cooling apparatus of any one of claims 3 to 9, the gripper assembly comprising a frame on which the spring-actuated positioning elements are carried, the frame comprising an upper subframe element movable relative to a lower subframe element between a first relative condition in which the spring-actuated positioning elements are held in the inactive condition and a second relative condition in which the spring-actuated positioning elements are released from the inactive condition.

I I . The cooling apparatus of claim 10, the upper subframe element telescopically slidable relative to the lower subframe element between the first relative condition and the second relative condition, the frame having a first depth when in the first relative condition that is less that a second depth of the frame when in the second relative condition.

12. The cooling apparatus of claim I I , the upper subframe element resiliently biased towards the second relative condition.

13. The cooling apparatus of claim I I , comprising an actuator, operatively connected between the upper subframe element and a cavity lid of the cooling apparatus, the actuator operable to drive the upper subframe element into the first relative condition on opening the cavity lid and to allow the upper subframe element to return to the second relative condition on closing the cavity lid.

14. The cooling apparatus of claim I or claim 2, the plurality of positioning elements comprising centrifugally-actuated positioning elements, each having a contact region on one side of a pivot axis thereof and a weighted region on the other side of the pivot axis and being rotatable about the pivot axis under the influence of a centrifugal force acting on the weighted region to move the contact radially inwardly towards the central axis of the product-receiving volume.

15. The cooling apparatus of claim 14, the centrifugally-actuated positioning elements resiliently biased towards the inactive condition by resilient biasing elements of the positioning element control arrangement.

16. The cooling apparatus of claims 9 and 14 or of claims 9 and 15, a group of the centrifugally-actuated positioning elements forming a third subplurality of the plurality of positioning members, the third subplurality spaced axially from the first and the second subplurality.

17. The cooling apparatus of claim 16, the second plurality may be disposed axially between the first subplurality and the first subplurality.

18. A cooling apparatus comprising a cavity for receipt of a product to be cooled; a rotation arrangement to rotate a product received in the cavity and a coolant supply arrangement to supply a cooling fluid to the cavity; the cooling apparatus further comprising a gripper assembly to support a product received in the cavity for stable rotation about a rotation axis; the gripper assembly comprising a plurality of positioning elements to urge a product received in a product-receiving volume within the cavity towards an oriented position in which a longitudinal axis of the product is aligned with a central axis of the product-receiving volume; the plurality of positioning elements comprising centrifugally-actuated positioning elements, each having a contact region on one side of a pivot axis thereof and a weighted region on the other side of the pivot axis and being rotatable about the pivot axis under the influence of a centrifugal force acting on the weighted region to move the contact radially inwardly towards the central axis of the product-receiving volume.

19. The cooling apparatus of claim 18, comprising a group of centrifugally-actuated positioning elements, the centrifugally-actuated positioning elements of the group spaced equidistantly around the central axis.

20. The cooling apparatus of claim 18 or claim 19, the contact regions of the centrifugally- actuated positioning elements resiliently biased radially outwards away from the central axis of the product-receiving volume.

21. A cooling apparatus comprising a cavity for receipt of a product to be cooled; a rotation arrangement to rotate a product received in the cavity and a coolant supply arrangement to supply a cooling fluid to the cavity; the cooling apparatus further comprising a gripper assembly to support a product received in the cavity for stable rotation about a rotation axis; the gripper assembly comprising a plurality of positioning elements to urge a product received in a product-receiving volume within the cavity towards an oriented position in which a longitudinal axis of the product is aligned with a central axis of the product-receiving volume; the plurality of positioning elements each having a contact region, the contact regions of the positioning elements interlinked to be movable dependently on each other towards and away from the central axis.

22. The cooling apparatus of claim 21 , the plurality of positioning elements comprising spring-actuated positioning members, the contact region of each positioning element resiliently biased radially inwardly towards the central axis of the product-receiving volume.

23. The cooling apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the rotation arrangement is adapted to provide a pulsed or non-continuous rotation for a predetermined period.

24. The cooling apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the rotation arrangement is to reciprocatingly translate a product received in the cavity in a longitudinal direction, along a translation axis that is aligned with the central axis of the product-receiving volume, for a predetermined period.

25. A vending apparatus comprising the cooling apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, comprising an insertion and removal arrangement to insert a product to be cooled into the cavity and to remove the cooled product therefrom.