FR2975383A1 - Device for cooling e.g. food, in container by natural evaporation of portion of water, has window for observing water level in container that has outer wall, which is permeable to water to allow evaporation of water inside/outside of wall - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a window for observing water level in a container. The container has an outer wall, which is permeable to water/water vapor to allow evaporation of the water inside/outside of the wall. The container is made of material charged with hollow fibers that give permeable character to the material and/or charged with soluble/volatile micro-fibers that leave a network of cavities. Lateral walls of the container are made of micro-perforated material so as to allow the lateral walls to be slightly permeable. An internal wall of the container forms a storage box for foodstuffs.

Description

The present invention relates to a device for cooling and keeping cold the water of any tank but also foodstuffs, drugs or other contents within this tank. The proposed solution requires no energy source other than ambient heat. The main goal is to slow the contamination by bacterial proliferation. Another goal is to improve the taste, especially of water by reducing its temperature.

Such a device has for main vocation the improvement of the food storage for the populations of the hot countries not having access to modern means of conservation for lack of means or sources of energies.

The invention is inspired by an ancient solution still used in Africa: Porous terracotta pots used for storing water. Due to the permeability of the clay, a small amount of water passes through the partition and evaporates. Evaporation, which is an endothermic reaction, absorbs a large amount of heat and thereby chills the contents of the pot.

These traditional jars have several disadvantages: They do not lend themselves to industrial production. They are difficult to transport because of their weight. They are fragile. Their shapes and sizes remain limited. They do not allow the storage of solid foods.

The device according to the invention makes it possible to obtain the cooling of a container by natural evaporation of a portion of the water that it contains by using a permeable material that can be used for the industrial production of all kinds of containers ranging from the bottle to the storage tank but also boxes used for the preservation of foodstuffs or other.

According to the particular embodiments, the permeability of the material can be obtained:

- By the use of a plastic loaded with hollow fibers. Figure 1. Some of these fibers provide the connection between the two sides of the tank wall. These hollow fibers can be fiberglass or all kinds of animal or plant fibers such as wood, linen, hemp ...

- By using a plastic loaded with soluble or volatile micro-fibers. Figure 2. After the disappearance of the fibers, a network of cavities makes the material permeable.

- By the use of a plastic or other sintered material. Figure 3. Small balls welded together ensure the porosity of the material.

- By a chemical treatment or injection process giving the plastic a permeable character. Figure 4. - By the micro-perforation of the walls of a tank. Figure 5. A laser can be used to make micro-holes allowing the material to "sweat"

- By weaving. Figure 6 and 7. A textile used, directly (flexible tank) or indirectly (multilayer tank) allows a controlled permeability.

Figure 8 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a water tank.

- Figure 9 describes an embodiment of a storage box for foodstuff. This box consists of a double wall creating a first tank. The user is careful to keep this tank full of water. The outer walls of the box are permeable and allow cooling by evaporation of part of the water. The internal walls are waterproof and constitute the storage box. A door or an insulating cover completes this device as well as a window, consisting of a transparent zone, allowing to see the water level. Such a device can be both a supply of drinking water and a place of food storage.

Claims (9)

CLAIMS1- A device for cooling a container by natural evaporation of part of the water it contains characterized in that the walls of said container are permeable to water or water vapor and allow its evaporation inside or outside the wall. 2- Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the material used to produce the container is charged with hollow fibers giving it permeability. 3- Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the material used to produce the container is loaded with soluble or volatile micro-fibers which after disappearance leave a network of cavities making the material permeable. 4- Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the material used to produce the container is a sintered material ensuring the porosity of the walls. 5- Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the side walls of a container of any material are micro-perforated in order to make them slightly permeable. 6. Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the permeable wall is constituted by a textile. 7- Device according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the container forms a double-walled box. Water is contained between these two walls. The outer wall of the box is permeable and allows cooling by evaporation of part of the water. The inner wall is sealed and is a storage box for food or other. An insulating cover or a side door improves the thermal insulation. 8 - Device according to claim 6 characterized in that the device is both a reserve of drinking water and a food storage place. 9 - Device according to claims 1, 7, 8, characterized in that the device has a window for viewing the water level.