GB2435528A

GB2435528A - Timer for chilling beverages

Info

Publication number: GB2435528A
Application number: GB0603758A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alan Boulton; Jill Boulton; Stephen Muncaster
Original assignee: Visual Products Ltd
Current assignee: Visual Products Ltd
Priority date: 2006-02-25
Filing date: 2006-02-25
Publication date: 2007-08-29
Anticipated expiration: 2026-02-25
Also published as: GB0603758D0; GB2435528B

Abstract

A portable device for providing an indication that a beverage placed in a freezer is chilled. The device comprises a timer and an alarm wherein the timer has a plurality of predetermined settings relating to beverage type, container type, volume of beverage and desired temperature. The device may have a magnetic mount or be suitable for attaching to a person. The device may form part of a personal digital assistant or a mobile phone. Also claimed in a device which further includes a thermometer so the time period is affected by the ambient temperature. There is also a claim for a computer program carrying out the same operation.

Description

-I-

TIMER FOR CHILLING DRINKS

The present invention relates to a portable device for providing an alert that a liquid placed in a freezer has reached a desired temperature. The liquid is typically a pre-packaged beverage, such as water, fruit juice, wine, beer and so on.

It is common for pre-packaged beverages such as beer, wine or soft drinks to be offered for sale at the ambient temperature -typically 18 to 25 degrees Celsius -of the retail establishment selling them. This is at odds with the frequent desire of the purchaser to begin to consume them both shortly after purchase and in a chilled condition i.e. at a temperature typically in the region of 5 to 8 degrees Celsius.

For these reasons the purchaser of such non-chilled beverages, will often seek to rapidly chill them through use of a domestic freezer or refrigerator ice-box compartment for example, rather than choose the much slower rate of cooling offered by the domestic refrigerator itself.

The use of a freezer or ice-box compartment is naturally a very effective method for the rapid chilling of liquids. However the use thereof requires that the time required to chill the beverage to the desired temperature is estimated with reasonable accuracy and also that the beverage is not forgotten about, as otherwise in either case the risk is that the contents will become frozen and in some instances ruined a consequence.

It is known to provide a domestic freezer with a timer to provide the user with a reminder that there are beverages in the freezer for quick chilling. The timer can be set for 10 minutes, 20 minutes or 30 minutes for cooling beverages in cans, glass bottles, and plastic bottles respectively. When the countdown timer has finished an alarm sounds. However, since the timer is built-in, the user may not hear the alarm if, for example, they are in another room or in the garden.

Moreover, the timer does not allow for different sizes of beverage containers.

Thus, there remain various limitations with the prior art. The present invention at least in preferred embodiments attempts to overcome or ameliorate some or all of the above problems.

Viewed from a first aspect, the present invention relates to a portable device for providing an indication that a beverage placed in a freezer has been chilled, the device comprising a timer and an alarm responsive to said timer; wherein the timer has a plurality of predetermined settings relating to one or more of beverage type, container type, volume of beverage and desired temperature. In use, data relating to one or more of the beverage type, container type, volume of beverage and desired temperature is input into the device and the timer is set automatically based on the associated predetermined settings. The user does not have to input directly the time for which the beverage is to be stored in the freezer.

The device can provide the user with an indication that the beverage has been chilled to a desired temperature and that it should be removed from the freezer.

Thus, the beverage can be removed from the freezer ready for drinking and the likelihood of the beverage freezing is reduced.

The portable device is preferably provided with a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD). The LCD may provide an indication of the time remaining before the beverage should be removed.

The volume of beverage to be chilled may be specified using "+" and buttons on the device, or using a numeric keypad. Preferably, however, the portable device is provided with at least one pre-set button for selecting the volume of beverage. The at least one pre-set button can allow a volume of 250ml, 330m1, 440ml, 500m1, 750ml and/or 1 litre to be selected. Preferably, a pre-set button is provided for each of these volumes.

To facilitate mounting of the device, a magnetic mount is preferably provided for removably mounting the device on a fridge, for example. The magnetic mount may be permanently provided on the device but it is preferably detachable. The magnetic mount may be provided on the back of the device but preferably forms a base.

The device may be provided on a key ring, but preferably a strap or cord is provided to allow the device to be worn by a user. The device may alternatively be incorporated into a bottle opener.

The alarm may provide a mechanical, audible and/or visual alert that the timer has finished.

The device may further comprise a thermometer. The thermometer may be used to measure the temperature of the beverage and/or the freezer. The thermometer may also be used to measure the ambient temperature. Some or all of this data may be used to allow the device more accurately to estimate the time required to chill the beverage to the desired temperature. For example, the temperature of the beverage and/or the temperature of the freezer may be used to set the timer. The measured data may be combined with user input data, such as the volume of beverage and/or the desired temperature, to provide additional refinement.

A look-up table or array is preferably stored in memory to allow the appropriate time for chilling the beverage to be determined from the specified or measured parameters.

The portable device described herein may comprise a cellular telephone or personal digital assistant, the timer and alarm being provided by a computer program running on the cellular telephone or personal digital assistant.

Viewed from a further aspect, the present invention relates to a device for providing an indication that a beverage placed in a freezer has been chilled, the device comprising a thermometer, a timer, and an alarm responsive to said timer; wherein, in use, the timer is set based on one or more temperatures measured by the thermometer and one or more user input parameters. The thermometer may, for example, measure the temperature of the beverage and/or the temperature of the freezer. The user input parameters may include, for example, the beverage type, container type, volume of beverage and desired temperature. The device is

preferably portable.

The time period for which the timer is set may be calculated, based on the one or more measured temperatures and/or the one or more user input parameters. Alternatively, the time period may be based on predetermined settings stored in the device. In the latter case, the appropriate setting for the timer would be selected depending on the one or more measured temperatures and/or the one or more user input parameters. The timer is preferably set automatically once the one or more temperatures have been measured and the one or more parameters input by the user.

Viewed from a still further aspect, the present invention relates to a computer program for providing an indication that a beverage placed in a freezer has been chilled, the computer program comprising a timer module and an alarm module, an array comprising a plurality of predetermined settings relating to one or more of beverage type, container type, volume of beverage and desired temperature being provided for setting the timer module in response to user inputs.

The computer program can therefore provide an indication that the beverage has been chilled to a desired temperature.

The computer program preferably runs on a portable computing device, such as a cellular telephone or personal digital assistant (PDA). The computer program may be pre-installed but it is preferably downloadable.

Viewed from a further aspect, the present invention provides a portable timing device, with user pre-selected settings relating to (but not limited to) one or more of, beverage type, container type, volume of contents and desired chill temperature, such that an audible (or other) warning may be given to the user when the specific beverage has reached the desired temperature.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a front elevation of a timing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 shows a rear elevation of the timing device; Figure 3 shows a side elevation of the timing device as shown in Figures 1 and 2 and also that of the detachable magnetic base; Figure 4 shows a front elevation of the detachable magnetic base shown in Figure 3; and Figure 5 shows a flow chart showing the logic for the timing device.

Referring to the drawings, the device according to the present invention comprises an electronic timer with LCD 1 incorporated into a casing 13, attachable to a base 16 by means of a magnet 18.

With reference to Fig 1, in order to choose the required chill time, the appropriate preset button based on the fluid capacity of the beverage container 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or 11 is selected by the user. The relevant icon 4 will show on the LCD together with a countdown timer bar' 5 and a timer icon 3. The time setting itself will also be shown 2 and will then countdown to zero. In the case of erroneous selection button 12 may then be selected to cancel the time setting.

Referring to Fig. 2, a neck or wrist cord 15 is provided to enable the user to wear the timing device about their person. This cord is attached to the timer casing by means of an eyelet 14.

Referring to Fig. 3, the detachable magnetic base may itself be secured by a second magnet 17 to a freezer door, for example.

The operation of the device according to the present invention will now be described with reference to the flow chart shown in Figure 4. The user presses the cancel or reset button 12 to turn the device on (Step 20). The fluid capacity of the beverage container to be chilled is then selected (Step 22) by pressing the appropriate pre-set button 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or 11.

The device accesses the predetermined settings stored in memory to determine the appropriate time for storing the beverage in the freezer. The specific fluid capacity icon and timer icon are then displayed on the LCD (Step 24). The digital timer and countdown timer bar are displayed on the LCD (Step 26) and the digital timer begins to count down to zero in minutes and seconds (Step 28). The countdown timer in the present embodiment is represented by ten bars and a bar is removed each time one tenth of the total time has elapsed (Step 30).

Once the timer reaches zero, the fluid capacity and timer Icon flash and an alarm sounds (Step 32). This provides the user with an alert that the beverage has been chilled to the desired temperature and that they should be removed from the freezer.

The device can be interrupted (Step 34) at any stage after it has been switched on (Step 20) by pressing the cancel button 12. This clears the data already entered or interrupts the timer and allows the user to enter a new fluid capacity (Step 22) or to turn the device off (Step 36) by pressing the cancel button 12 a second time.

According to a second embodiment of the present invention, the drinks chill timer software could be downloadable' to a user's mobile phone, PDA or other mobile computing device. When the drinks chill timer option is selected by the user from the menu' of the portable device, they would be presented with a screen similar to that of the Calculator' option typical of modern mobile phones (e.g. most Nokia phones with multicolour LCD screens). That is to say a screen that is partly blank, with a selection of Icons arranged to one side of it. Instead of the basic arithmetical Icons of the calculator, the user would be presented with Icons relating to one or more of the following (possible suggested Icons in brackets): Drink container volume in centilitres (25, 30, 33, 44, 50, 55, 66, 75, 100, 150, 200); Drink container type -metal or glass (MTL, GLS); Drink type -wine, beer, lager, soft drink (WN, BR, LGR, SFT); Preferred temperature -recommended, less cold, extra cold (REC, LC, XC); Memory Icons, for user stored preferences (Ml, M2, M3); Data entry (Enter).

In order that the screen is not too crowded with Icons (or the Icons too small) it is probable that no more than six of the drink volume Icons and three of the drink type Icons would be utilised by any particular version of the software.

In order to set the chill timer, the user would first select the relevant container volume from the Icons displayed. If no Icon was displayed for that specific volume, the user would be able to enter the volume using the numeric keys on the Phone keypad and then select the data entry Icon on the screen to submit this value.

Depending on the drinks volume selected, the software would default to a container type and a drink type. The software would also always default to the recommended temperature (REC). For example, if the user selects the 33 Icon for volume, the software would assume settings for Lager and Glass and display this to the user by greying out' the LGR and GLS Icons on the screen. If the user wished to change any of these settings, they would simply then select the relevant Icon. In the given example, if the user then selects MTL, the MTL Icon would be greyed out' instead to indicate that the selection is now for a 33cl metal can of lager instead of the default setting for a 33cI glass bottle of lager.

Once the user has selected the required settings, they could if desired store these settings in one of the available memories, by selecting one of the (Ml, M2, M3) Icons.

With the desired settings selected the user would then select the data entry (Enter) Icon to set the Chill Timer. The relevant time (displayed in minutes and seconds) would then show on the previously blank section of the screen and immediately begin to countdown to zero.

Upon the countdown timer reaching zero, an alarm would sound and the screen backlight flash, until any key is selected on the phone keypad to reset the timer.

The present invention has been described herein with reference to preferred embodiments. However, it will be appreciated that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Although the present invention has been described for use when a beverage is placed in a freezer, it will be appreciated that the beverage is not necessarily placed in a freezer but may be placed in any environment at less than room temperature. Furthermore, the volume of beverage to be chilled is not necessarily entered in centilitres, but could instead be entered in litres, millilitres, pints, quarts, gallons or any other suitable unit of measurement.

The temperature of the beverage may be entered into the device before it is introduced into the freezer. Rather than require the user to input the temperature, the device may be provided with a thermometer to measure directly the temperature of the beverage or the ambient temperature. The temperature of the freezer may be entered into the device. The device may thereby use the temperature of the beverage; and/or the ambient temperature; and/or the temperature of the freezer to calculate the period of time for which the beverage should be stored in the freezer.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A portable device for providing an indication that a

beverage placed in a freezer has been chilled, the device comprising a timer and an alarm responsive to said timer; wherein the timer has a plurality of predetermined settings relating to one or more of beverage type, container type, volume of beverage and desired temperature.

2. A portable device as claimed in claim I further comprising a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD).

3. A portable device as claimed in claim I or claim 2 further comprising at least one pre-set button for selecting the volume of beverage.

4. A portable device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said at least one pre-set button allows a volume of 250ml, 330ml, 440m1, 500ml, 750m1 and/or 1 litre to be selected.

5. A portable device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 further comprising a magnetic mount.

6. A portable device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the magnetic mount is detachable.

7. A portable device as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the magnetic mount forms a base for the portable device.

8. A portable device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims further comprising a strap or cord to allow the device to be worn.

9. A portable device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the alarm provides a mechanical, audible or visual alert.

10. A portable device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims further comprising a thermometer.

11. A portable device as claimed in claim 1 comprising a cellular telephone or personal digital assistant, and the timer and alarm are provided by a computer program running on the cellular telephone or personal digital assistant.

12. A device for providing an indication that a beverage placed in a freezer has been chilled, the device comprising a thermometer, a timer, and an alarm responsive to said timer; wherein, in use, the timer is set based on one or more temperatures measured by the thermometer and one or more user input parameters.

13. A device as claimed in claim 12, wherein said temperatures measured by the thermometer include the temperature of the beverage and/or the temperature of the freezer.

14. A device as claimed in claim 12 or claim 13, wherein the user input parameters include one or more of beverage type, container type, volume of beverage and desired temperature.

15. A computer program for providing an indication that a beverage placed in a freezer has been chilled, the computer program comprising a timer module and an alarm module, an array comprising a plurality of predetermined settings relating to one or more of beverage type, container type, volume of beverage and desired temperature being provided for setting the timer module in response to user inputs.

16. A computer program as claimed in claim 15, wherein the computer program is downloadable onto a portable computing device.

17. A computer program as claimed in claim 16, wherein the portable computing device is a cellular telephone or a personal digital assistant (PDA).

18. A portable device substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying Figures.

19. A computer program substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying Figures.