Spin cooler

Abstract

This invention is a cooling device for cans and similar containers and is specifically designed for installation where floor space is either limited or at a premium. Additionally, there is a unique liquid circulation system which is extremely effective in cooling and yet low in energy consumption.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An improved cooling system for product containers comprising: a plurality of track rail means so arranged to form a plurality of laterally adjacent product container travel lanes each containing a plurality of tiers; entry and exit means to and from said travel lanes for product containers; a plurality of crossovers for interconnecting each said product container travel lane with at least one adjacent lane such that product containers move from one lane to an adjacent lane at said crossovers; a plurality of pusher bar means extending across said lanes for rollingly moving said containers therealong; means for interconnectingly driving said pusher bar means such that said containers travel substantially the entire length of every lane in every tier prior to exiting said cooling system .[.so as to properly cool the product therein while said system requires only a relatively small amount of floor space; and means for forming an active cooling system for cooling product containers so they move along said lanes.]..Iadd.; a plurality of nozzles disposed above selected lanes of said tiers for spraying cooling water over the product containers as the same move through said cooling system; and at least two laterally adjacent sump means disposed below said tiers for recirculating water sprayed from said nozzles, each said sump being operatively connected to selected nozzles disposed above selected lanes of said tiers, whereby more efficient cooling of product containers can be accomplished while said cooling system requires only a relatively small amount of floor space.Iaddend.. .[. 
     
     
       2.  The system of claim 1 wherein said active cooling system is in the form of a plurality of nozzles which spray water over the product containers..]. .[.3. The system of claim 2 wherein said nozzles are disposed above said tiers..]. .[.4. The system of claim 2 wherein such system is disposed generally within an enclosed housing and including a means for forcing air through said housing whereby greater cooling efficiency can be accomplished..]. .[.5. The system of claim 2 including at least one sump means disposed below said tiers whereby cooling water from said nozzles can be recirculated..]. .[.6. The system of claim 2 wherein at least two sump means are disposed below said tiers whereby cooling water from said nozzles can be recirculated..]. .[.7. The system of claim 6 wherein each of said sumps are operatively connected to selected nozzles disposed above selected lanes of said tiers whereby more 
     
     
        efficient cooling can be accomplished..]. 8. The system of claim 1 wherein 
     
     
        such system is disposed generally within an enclosed housing. 9. The system of claim 8 including a means for forcing air through said housing 
     
     
        whereby greater cooling efficiency can be accomplished. 10. The system of claim 9 wherein the means for forcing said air through said housing is a 
     
     
        fan type means. 11. The system of claim 9 wherein said forced air enters the lower portion of said housing and is exhausted from the upper portion thereof. .Iadd.12. The improved cooling system of claim 1 wherein each product container travel lane has at least three vertically spaced tiers. .Iaddend. .Iadd.13. The improved cooling system of claim 1 wherein each product container travel lane has at least four tiers. .Iaddend. .Iadd.14. The improved cooling system of claim 1 wherein the cooling water in each sump means is of a different temperature whereby distinct cooling zones are established laterally across such improved cooling system. .Iaddend.