WO2019138160A1

WO2019138160A1 - Beverage cooling device and method for cooling a beverage

Info

Publication number: WO2019138160A1
Application number: PCT/FI2019/050012
Authority: WO
Inventors: Erkki SEPPÄLÄINEN; Andrea Visconti
Original assignee: Sensiqo Oy
Priority date: 2018-01-10
Filing date: 2019-01-09
Publication date: 2019-07-18
Also published as: FI20185029A1; EP3737898A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a beverage cooling device (1) and a method for cooling a beverage in a beverage container (4). The device (1) comprises a frame (2) and at least one movable arm (11) supported movably on the frame and at least one cooling element (5) arranged on the arm. The cooling element (5) is arranged to be cooled with a refrigerant. The arm (11) and the cooling element (5) can be moved between at least two positions, namely a free position, where the cooling element (5) is not substantially in contact with the beverage container (4) and a contact position, where the cooling element (5) is in contact with the beverage container (4), thereby cooling the beverage container (4) and the beverage (7) therein.

Description

BEVERAGE COOLING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR COOLING A BEVERAGE

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a beverage cooling device and a method for cooling a beverage as claimed below.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

Cooling a beverage in its container, such as a wine or champagne bottle or a beer can has inspired many inventors to develop solutions to carry out the task fast and efficiently. It is often important to reach a certain predetermined target temperature accurately. Cooling e.g. a wine bottle fast to a target temperature faces several challenges. Heat transfer from the wine to a cooling device or medium is limited by thermal resistance. Thermal resistance in wine bottle glass wall is one limiting factor but wine itself is also a relatively poor heat conductor. Heat transfer can be increased by increasing temperature difference between wine and the cooling medium. Overcooling may become an issue, thus cooling should be terminated e.g. by removing the wine bottle from the cooling device at a right time point.

Various cooling devices with various cooling mediums and mechanical solutions have been suggested in prior art.

Prior art, e.g. patent publications US 9316432, US 5505054, US 8397519, US 4825665 and EP 2459840 suggest using liquid cooling medium directly around a bottle for fast cooling. E.g. US 4825665 rotates cooling water around a stationary bottle, thus enhancing heat transfer by convection. This way the interface between a container wall and the cooling media is directly between a solid and a liquid. The cooling liquid may be water mixed with ice cubes, possibly with added salt to bring the water temperature below 0 °C. The cooling liquid may be a water-glycol or water-alcohol solution, which can be refrigerated to a low temperature i.e. -16 to - 25 °C. The use of liquid as a cooling media in contact with a container, such as a bottle or a can has major downsides: Bottle labels do not normally tolerate water or solvents. The bottle or other container may drip cooling liquid during serving. There is a risk of cooling liquid entering the container. Cooling liquid may be harmful for the taste of food and drinks in the dining table or may even pose a health risk.

Patent publications US 507996, US 5505054, US 9316432, WO 2011012902 and EP 2459840 show that the container may be rotated. The rotation enhances cooling by enhancing convection flow of e.g. the wine inside the bottle, thus increasing heat transfer and improving temperature uniformity of the wine. Rotating the bottle of e.g. fine wines is not favored because that can cause sediments to mix with the wine. For carbonated drinks, such as champagne or beer an uneven or fast rotation or shaking may cause unwanted bubbling and foaming.

Patent publication EP 1662218 A1 presents a method where beverage is rotated and simultaneously sprayed with a brine or other liquid that stays in liquid form at temperatures below -20 °C or even at temperature below -50 °C. The publication presents a heat transfer optimized solution but compromises the need to preserve the bottle label intact and the need to keep the bottle stationary.

Many publications, e.g. US 20120000239 A1 , propose a gel-based cooling sleeve around a beverage container. These work by encapsulating e.g. a high concentration of sodium-based phase-change material into a sleeve, designed to fit closely around a bottle. The sleeve is cooled in a freezer and re-cooled after each use. Temperature control of the wine is difficult with a sleeve. A sleeve around a bottle is not well suited for use in a client table.

In patent application US 2003209029 A1 an apparatus and a system are presented where beverage is cooled via heat conduction with cold material bags furnished within the cooling compartment. Additionally, the beverage is shaken to mix the liquid inside the liquid container. The cold material bags are cooled using a compressor system similar to be found in deep freezers. The material bags can thus be cooled continuously to a low temperature and to enable rapid and consistent cooling. The temperature control in this system is anyhow limited. If the beverage is not removed from the cooling compartment in right time the beverage will be cooled to a lower temperature than the target.

There is a risk of excessive cooling and even freezing of beverages in many prior art solutions. This is especially a risk if the container may remain in direct contact with the cooling medium in the cooling apparatus also after a planned cooling time. This may happen e.g. if the container is not removed from the cooling device at a predetermined time. A typical example of this is when beverage is cooled in a freezer, but a user forgets to take the beverage out for a reason or another. Excessive cooling may take place even after power is switched off from a cooling apparatus.

Patent publication WO 2012090209 A2 presents a cooling device that does not rotate the bottle and the device has means to stop the cooling by rising the bottle from the cooling cavity after the target temperature or cooling time is reached. In a case where the cooling cavity is filled with liquid coolant the heat transfer between the liquid coolant and beverage bottle is relatively fast. But using liquid coolant means compromising the bottle label. On the other hand, if the device is used without a cooling liquid, the heat transfer is limited and the device does not provide faster cooling than e.g. normal household freezer. Excessive cooling is anyhow avoided.

Patent publication WO 0120967 A2 presents an apparatus using a Stirling cooler system and a method of chilling containers and fluids.

Prior art solutions often demand cooling of a substantially large mass of a cooling medium, such as water. A large mass requires a large amount of energy for its cooling. Typically, a large part of that energy is waisted by heat losses. A lot of energy is lost in cooling an excessive amount of cooling liquid compared to what is theoretically needed for the cooling of the beverage. OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to reduce or even eliminate the above- mentioned problems appearing in prior art.

The present invention has an object of providing means for cooling a beverage inside its container, such as wine, champagne or beer in a bottle or can, in a fast, simple, safe and effective way.

The present invention has especially an object of providing means to cool a beverage in a container fast without wetting the container or harming its label and enabling control of the target serving temperature.

Cooling rate can be stopped or greatly reduced within the cooling device at a predetermined target cooling time or target cooling temperature and thus excessive cooling of the beverage can be avoided. The invention provides more accurate heat transfer control than prior art.

The present invention has especially an object of providing means to cool a beverage in a container effectively without rotating the container.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Among others, in order to realize the objects mentioned above the beverage cooling device, the method for cooling a beverage and other objects according to the invention are characterized by what is presented in the enclosed independent claims.

The embodiments, examples and advantages mentioned in this text relate, where applicable, as well to the device, the method as to various uses and applications according to the invention, even though it is not always specifically mentioned.

A typical beverage cooling device according to the invention comprises a frame and supported on it

- a cooling location, adapted to receive and hold a beverage container; - at least one cooling element adapted to be in contact with the beverage container in the cooling location, in order to conduct heat through container wall between the beverage and the cooling element;

- a compressor arranged to cool a refrigerant;

- refrigerant channels to lead the refrigerant from the compressor to the at least one cooling element and back to the compressor;

whereby the refrigerant channels are arranged to be in heat transfer contact with the cooling element in order to conduct heat between the refrigerant and the cooling element. The heat transfer contact between the refrigerant channels and cooling element e.g. may mean that walls of the channels are in direct contact with the cooling element or that the cooling element forms a part of those walls.

The beverage cooling device comprises at least one arm supported movably to the frame at its first end. The at least one cooling element is arranged on the arm at its second end. The arm and the cooling element are movable between at least two positions, namely

- a free position, where the cooling element is arranged out from the cooling location and adapted not, or at least not substantially, to be in contact with the beverage container; and

- a contact position, where the cooling element is arranged in the cooling location and adapted to be in contact with the beverage container.

A typical method for cooling a beverage with a cooling device comprises at least the following steps:

- receiving and holding a beverage container in a cooling location inside the cooling device;

- holding at least one cooling element in contact with the beverage container in the cooling location, in order to conduct heat through container wall between the beverage and the cooling element;

- cooling a refrigerant with a compressor;

- leading the refrigerant from the compressor to the at least one cooling element and back to the compressor via refrigerant channels;

- conducting heat between the refrigerant and the cooling element. The cooling device comprises at least one arm supported movably to the frame at its first end. The at least one cooling element is arranged on the arm at its second end. The method further comprises at least the following steps:

- moving the arm and the cooling element between at least two positions, namely

o a free position, where the cooling element is out from the cooling location and not, or at least not substantially, in contact with the beverage container; and

o a contact position, where the cooling element is in the cooling location and in contact with the beverage container.

One way to describe the invention, i.e. a beverage cooling device and method for cooling a beverage in a beverage container is as follows: The device comprises a frame. At least one movable arm is supported movably on the frame. At least one cooling element is arranged on the arm. The cooling element is arranged to be cooled with a refrigerant. The arm and the cooling element can be moved between at least two positions, namely 1 ) a free position, where the cooling element is not, or at least not substantially, in contact with the beverage container and 2) a contact position, where the cooling element is in contact with the beverage container, thereby able to cool the beverage container and the beverage therein.

Thus, it has been found that a beverage cooling device and a method used with it can be achieved by using a movable arm with a cooling element at its end. The cooling device can be accomplished as simple, energy saving and easy to control. Only relatively small cooling elements, such as cooling pads, need to be cooled by the refrigerant. The temperature of the cooling elements is easy and fast to control, i.e. set as wanted. The heat transfer between the refrigerant and the beverage is easily and accurately controlled.

The invention is suitable for many kinds of beverage containers, especially bottles and cans made of e.g. glass, plastic or metal. Suitable beverages are e.g. wine, champagne, beer, soft drinks and water. In an embodiment of the invention the cooling location comprises supports for the beverage container. The cooling location may have a bottom, one or more walls or other support elements adapted to receive and hold a beverage container.

In an embodiment of the invention the cooling device comprises an outer wall or casing around the cooling location, the at least one movable arm, the compressor and other possible parts. The outer wall or casing may comprise an openable cover through which a beverage container can be inserted to the cooling location.

In an embodiment of the invention there are at least two, preferably three, four or more arms situated around the cooling location and adapted to receive and hold a beverage container between them. With a plurality of arms, the contact area between the cooling elements and the container can be increased and controlled as needed. In the contact position the cooling elements can form a surface that supports the container from many or all sides, even at least substantially all around the container. The surface can be arranged curved around the cooling location with a radius that is at least close to the radius of the container.

In the free position, where the one or more cooling elements are arranged out of the cooling location, there remains a free space at the cooling location. The one or more arms with their cooling elements can be open so, that the free space allows a container to be arranged into the cooling location. This free space may have a diameter of more than 70 mm, more than 90 mm or more than 105 mm. Thus, a round container, such as a bottle or a can, with a diameter of more than 70 mm, more than 90 mm or more than 105 mm can be arranged into the cooling location.

The container size and shape may vary a lot depending on the type of the beverage and the manufacturer of the beverage. The movable arm or arms enable cooling a range of container sizes that is determined by the maximum opening of the arm or arms and the size when the arm or arms are in the minimum contact position. Thus, for round containers an embodiment of the invention covers at least bottle diameters from 68 mm to 92 mm. This size range is suitable for majority or white and red wines and champagne and sparkling wine bottles. Another embodiment may cover bottle sizes from 90 mm to 110 mm, which is suitable for bottles having large outside diameter, such as some special champagnes. Another embodiment may cover bottle sizes from 68 mm to 110 mm.

In an embodiment the cooling element or at least mainly the whole cooling element is made of relatively soft and/or elastic material. In an embodiment the cooling element material has Shore hardness less than 90 or less than 60 in Shore OO scale. In an embodiment the cooling element is made of material that has compressibility of more than 10 % and preferably more than 30 % at a pressure of 70 kPa. The cooling element material can be e.g. at least mainly silicone rubber with thermal additive.

In an embodiment the cooling element is made of material that has thermal conductivity of at least 1 W/(m*K) and preferably at least 4 W/(m*K).

Advantageously the cooling elements are of soft material with high thermal conductivity. The surface of the pads in contact with the bottle should be properly reinforced to avoid wear and tear. The cooling element material can be e.g. at least mainly silicone rubber with metal powder mixed in it for increasing thermal conductivity. The cooling element material can be also other soft material that meets the above heat conductivity and mechanical requirements.

For good heat conductivity good surface contact and avoidance of air gaps in the contact between a container and a cooling element is advantageous.

Due to the fact that beverage containers vary in size and shape it is advantageous that the cooling element can adapt to the possible changes in geometrical shape between any container and the arm in which the cooling element is mounted. Larger thickness in the cooling element enables better adaptation. Higher number of arms and/or cooling elements allows larger container diameter variation with same size and/or compressibility of the cooling elements. In an embodiment of the invention the cooling element total surface area in contact with the container when calculated for all arms is more than 10 %, more than 30 %, more than 40 % or more than 60 % of the beverage container outer surface area.

In an embodiment the at least one arm is a hollow structure so that it comprises one or more refrigerant channels inside it. This means that the refrigerant is lead from the compressor to the second end of the arm, near the at least one cooling element and back to the compressor via the refrigerant channels inside the at least one arm. This way no external pipes for the refrigerant are needed and the arms are cooled efficiently. The channels may be made e.g. by boring. The channels may extend from the first end of the arm to its second end.

In an embodiment the at least one arm is of aluminum or another metal or metal alloy, such as brass. E.g. aluminum is advantageous for its good thermal conductivity and low density. An arm made e.g. of brass or aluminum can be machined or cast into wanted form. The arm may be of non-metal materials like a thermoplastic polymer. A non-metal arm material may comprise metallic powders mixed into it. A non-metal arm material may be suitable for injection molding.

In many embodiments there are a few advantageous properties for the arm material like good heat conductivity, mechanical strength and leak tightness to withstand the refrigerant pressure. These properties can be achieved by many wrought and cast materials, like those experienced in the art will know. In an embodiment the at least one arm is of metal that has high heat conductivity and that can be wrought or cast for serial production. The heat conductivity of the arm metal may be e.g. more than 50 W/(m^*K), preferably more than 100 W/(m^*K) or more preferably more than 200 W/(m^*K).

In an embodiment the at least one arm is hinged to the frame. Hinging is a reliable way to arrange an arm movable. The movability of the arm in relation to the frame may be achieved with other means also, e.g. by arranging the arm telescopic. In an embodiment a power transmission means is arranged between the frame and the arm. The power transmission may be e.g. an electric motor, or a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder arranged between the arm and the frame. The power transmission means may also be arranged manual, e.g. as a lever to be turned by a user. The power transmission means moves the arm between the free position and the contact position.

In an embodiment when a beverage container is in the cooling location and the arm is in the contact position, i.e. when heat transfer between the beverage container and the cooling element is wanted, the at least one arm and the cooling element on its end are pressed against the beverage container with the power transmission means. Pressing a soft and/or elastic cooling element harder increases heat transfer between the cooling element and the beverage container. This happens firstly, because pressing harder tends to add to the contact area between the cooling element and the container. And secondly, by pressing harder the thickness of the cooling element between the second end of the arm and the container decreases, thus decreasing thermal resistance of the cooling element between them. Also, the compressibility of the cooling element allows for larger bottle shape and diameter variation with the same arms and cooling elements, as the heat transfer may be controlled with controlling the power feed to the transmission means. The pressing force may be adjusted for each situation.

In an embodiment the at least one arm and the cooling element on its end is pressed against the beverage container with a pressure of more than 3 kPa or more than 14 kPa. The pressure needed may be adjusted for each situation.

In an embodiment the beverage cooling device comprises a user interface and a thereto connected control unit arranged to control the cooling process and the movement of the at least one arm. The control unit may be set to e.g. control pre- cooling of the apparatus before a beverage container is inserted to the device, to control cooling of a beverage in a container in the device, to maintain the beverage and the container at a target temperature. The control unit may be set to adjust e.g. the force directed to the arm when pressing the cooling element against the beverage container or the temperature and flow rate of the refrigerant in the device. The user interface may be used e.g. for selecting a type of beverage and container to be cooled and to set a target temperature for the beverage. The user interface may comprise a screen, e.g. a touch screen allowing for communication between the user and the control unit.

In an embodiment the temperature of the cooling element can be set below 0 °C. In an embodiment the temperature is set below -15 °C to enable high heat transfer rate between the refrigerant and the beverage. In an embodiment the cooling element can be precooled already before inserting a beverage container into the device.

In an embodiment the control unit monitors the temperature of the beverage with a thermometer. Monitoring and adjusting of the temperature may be continued also after the beverage temperature has reached the target value. This way the beverage temperature may be kept at an optimum also when the amount of beverage in the container decreases. E.g. this ensures that the beverage does not freeze or get too cold or warm even if the container is left inside the apparatus for extensive time periods, e.g. for a whole evening or longer.

In an embodiment the device and method according to the invention can also be used for heating the beverage. This would be advantageous e.g. when fast and accurate heating is needed. This would be advantageous e.g. for containers that are sensitive to a liquid heat transfer material with which a heat bath method cannot be used. In this embodiment the device would have means for heating the container, e.g. means for heating the heat transfer medium arranged to flow in the device. The heat transfer medium may the same medium that is previously in this text called refrigerant. When heating, the compressor flow may be reversed compared to the cooling. Other arrangements made to optimize good heating performance may also be done, as those skilled in the art will understand.

In an embodiment the device and method according to the invention can also be used for cooling of medical products. In another embodiment the device and method can be used for cooling of technical products. In both cases the benefits are the same as with beverage containers: no liquid contact needed and no movement or shaking. Additionally, the target temperature can be adjusted well below 0 °C, which is not possible with water and ice cubes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The invention is described in more detail below with reference to the enclosed schematic drawing, in which

Figure 1 shows a projection view inside the device according to the invention, seen from above,

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a second device according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXAMPLES OF THE FIGURES

For the sake of clarity, the same reference numbers are used for corresponding parts in different embodiments.

Figure 1 shows a beverage cooling device 1 , which has a mainly circular horizontal cross-section. The view is shown as seen from above with the upper part of the device hidden or cut away so that the inventive parts are well seen. A frame 2 supports a cooling location 3, i.e. a place to receive and hold a beverage container 4. The device 1 is of mainly cylindrical form, with upright cylindrical wall 2a rising from a circular bottom 2b. A top part 2c with an opening 2d (not shown in Fig. 1 ) for the container 4 is situated on top of the wall 2a.

Figure 2 shows a beverage cooling device 1 , the outside of which has a mainly circular horizontal cross-section on its top part and oval or egg-shaped cross- section at its bottom part. A frame 2 supports a cooling location inside the device, i.e. a place where most of the wine bottle 4 is situated. The device 1 is of a somewhat bulged, mainly cylindrical form, with a wall 2a rising from a bottom 2b. A top part 2c with an opening 2d for the bottle situated on top of the wall 2a. A lid could be situated above the opening 2d. Six movable arms 11 are supported to the frame 2 at their first ends 12 by hinges (not shown). There is a thermal insulation 8 between each first end 12 and the wall 2a of the device 1. Each arm 11 has a soft and elastic cooling pad or cooling element 5 on its second end 13. A beverage container 4, e.g. a wine bottle is situated in the cooling location 3, i.e. in the middle of the six arms 11.

A compressor (not shown) is arranged to cool a fluid refrigerant (not shown). The cooled refrigerant is led inside the arms 11 via refrigerant channels 10 from the compressor to the cooling elements 5 and back to the compressor. The refrigerant in the channels 10 is in heat transfer contact with the cooling elements 5, thereby cooling the cooling elements 5.

Figure 1 shows the arms 11 in their contact position, i.e. turned towards the cooling location 3 and against the beverage container 4. The cooling elements 5 are in contact with the beverage container wall 6. In the contact position of Figure 1 , if the cooling elements 5 are kept colder than the beverage container wall 6, heat transfers from the beverage to the refrigerant, whereby the beverage is cooled.

In an embodiment the six movable arms 11 may each have a cooling element 5 each with a width of 36 mm and height of 140 mm. Thus, the pads 5 would cover a substantial part of a bottle, which has outside diameter of 70 mm and total height of 320 mm. It is possible to arrange the pads 5 to cover substantially whole circumference of the cylindrical part of a bottle or even substantially whole surface area of the cylindrical part of a bottle.

When the temperature of the beverage has reached the target value, or if a user wants to remove the beverage container 4 from the device 1 , the arms 11 and their cooling elements 5 are turned away from cooling location 3 around their hinges, i.e. out of contact with the beverage container 4. This position is called the free position (not shown). Now the container 4 can be removed through the opening 2d. The cooling device 1 comprises an electric control unit (not shown), i.e. a computer with a computer program to be run in its memory. A user interface 15,

1.e. a combined thermometer and a power button, is arranged on the wall 2a and connected to the control unit. The control unit controls e.g. the cooling process and the movements of the arms 11. The control unit may e.g. set the target end temperature and control the cooling process of the beverage based on the user’s beverage choice or set to adjust the force directed to arms 11 when pressing the cooling element 5 against the beverage container 4. The compressor, cooling fan, power supply and control unit and other possible parts not visible in Figures 1 and 2 may be located e.g. on the rear side of or under the apparatus shown in Figure

2.

The figures show only a few preferred embodiments according to the invention. Facts of secondary importance with regards to the main idea of the invention, facts known as such or evident for a person skilled in the art, such as power sources or support structures possibly required by the invention, are not necessarily separately shown in the figures. E.g. shape and construction of the arms and cooling pads may be optimized to fit a certain type of container or to a variety of container sizes and shapes. E.g. selection and design of compressors or a suitable refrigerant are known technology and therefore not discussed in detail here.

It is apparent to a person skilled in the art that the invention is not limited exclusively to the examples described above, but that the invention can vary within the scope of the claims presented below. The dependent claims present some possible embodiments of the invention, and they are not to be considered to restrict the scope of protection of the invention as such.

Claims

1. A beverage cooling device (1 ) comprising a frame (2) and supported on it

- a cooling location (3), adapted to receive and hold a beverage container (4);

- at least one cooling element (5) adapted to be in contact with the beverage container (4) in the cooling location (3), in order to conduct heat through container wall (6) between the beverage (7) and the cooling element (5);

- a compressor arranged to cool a refrigerant;

- refrigerant channels (10) to lead the refrigerant from the compressor to the at least one cooling element (5) and back to the compressor;

whereby the refrigerant channels (10) are arranged to be in heat transfer contact with the cooling element (5) in order to conduct heat between the refrigerant and the cooling element;

characterised by that the beverage cooling device (1 ) comprises at least one arm (11 ) supported movably to the frame (2) at its first end (12); and that the at least one cooling element (5) is arranged on the arm (11 ) at its second end (13), whereby the arm (11 ) and the cooling element (5) are movable between at least two positions, namely

- a free position, where the cooling element (5) is arranged out from the cooling location (3) and adapted not to be in contact with the beverage container (4); and

- a contact position, where the cooling element (5) is arranged in the cooling location (3) and adapted to be in contact with the beverage container (4).

2. A beverage cooling device according to claim 1 , characterised by that the cooling element (5) is at least mainly made of material that has Shore hardness less than 90 or less than 60 in Shore OO scale.

3. A beverage cooling device according to claim 1 or 2, characterised by that the cooling element (5) is made of material that has compressibility of more than 10 % and preferably more than 30 % at a pressure of 70 kPa.

4. A beverage cooling device according to any previous claim 1 to 3, characterised by that the cooling element (5) is made of material that has thermal conductivity of at least 1 W/(m*K) and preferably at least 4 W/(m*K).

5. A beverage cooling device according to any previous claim 1 to 4, characterised by that the at least one arm (11 ) is a hollow structure so that it comprises the refrigerant channels leading from the first end (12) of the arm to its second end (13).

6. A beverage cooling device according to any previous claim 1 to 5, characterised by that the at least one arm (11 ) is of metal that has heat conductivity higher than 50 W/(m*K) and that can be wrought or cast for serial production.

7. A beverage cooling device according to any previous claim 1 to 6, characterised by that the at least one arm (11 ) is hinged to the frame.

8. A beverage cooling device according to any previous claim 1 to 7, characterised by that a power transmission means (14) is arranged between the frame (2) and the arm (11 ).

9. A beverage cooling device according to any previous claim 1 to 8, characterised by that there are at least two, preferably more arms (11 ) situated around the cooling location (13) and adapted to receive and hold a beverage container (4) between them.

10. A beverage cooling device according to any previous claim 1 to 9, characterised by that it comprises a user interface (15) and a thereto connected control unit (16) arranged to control the cooling process and the movement of the at least one arm (11 ).

11. A method for cooling a beverage with a cooling device (1 ), the method comprising at least the following steps: - receiving and holding a beverage container (4) in a cooling location (3) inside the cooling device (1 );

- holding at least one cooling element (5) in contact with the beverage container (4) in the cooling location (3), in order to conduct heat through container wall (6) between the beverage (7) and the cooling element (5);

- cooling a refrigerant with a compressor;

- leading the refrigerant from the compressor to the at least one cooling element (5) and back to the compressor via refrigerant channels (10);

- conducting heat between the refrigerant and the cooling element (5);

characterised by that the cooling device (1 ) comprises at least one arm (11 ) supported movably to the frame (2) at its first end (12); and that the at least one cooling element (5) is arranged on the arm at its second end (13), whereby the method further comprises at least the following steps:

- moving the arm (11 ) and the cooling element (5) between at least two positions, namely

o a free position, where the cooling element (5) is out from the cooling location (3) and not substantially in contact with the beverage container (4); and

o a contact position, where the cooling element (5) is in the cooling location and in contact with the beverage container (4).

12. A method according to claim 11 , characterised by that a power transmission means is arranged between the frame and the arm, whereby when the arm is in the contact position, the method comprises a step of:

- pressing with the power transmission means (14) the at least one arm (11 ) and the cooling element (5) on its end against the beverage container (4) in the cooling location (3).

13. A method according to claim 12, characterised in that the at least one arm (11 ) and the cooling element (5) on its end is pressed against the beverage container (4) with a pressure of more than 3 kPa and preferably more than 14 kPa.

14. A method according to any previous claim 11 to 13, characterised by leading the refrigerant from the compressor to the at least one cooling element (5) and back to the compressor via refrigerant channels (10) inside the at least one arm (11 ).

15. A method according to any previous claim 11 to 14, characterised by that the cooling device (1 ) comprises at least two, preferably more arms (11 ) supported movably to the frame (2) and situated around the cooling location (3), whereby the method comprises a step of:

- moving the at least two arms (11 ) and their cooling elements (5) between the at least two positions, i.e. the free position and the contact position.