GB2439270A

GB2439270A - Portable heating device comprising a concave outer surface

Info

Publication number: GB2439270A
Application number: GB0612531A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul Sleeman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-06-23
Filing date: 2006-06-23
Publication date: 2007-12-27
Also published as: GB0612531D0

Abstract

A portable heating device 1 comprises a first container 2 for carrying a substance to be heated, and a heat provision means, in which a concavity 4 is provided in an outer surface 5 of the first container, and in which at least one portion 6 of the heat provision means is adapted to fit inside the concavity, and to heat a substance carried in the first container in use. Preferably, the heat provision means comprises a second container 3 which is divided into first and second compartments 28, 29 with a breakable seal 30 disposed there between, where first and second chemical substances are carried in the first and second compartments respectively, and mixing of the substances results in an exothermic chemical reaction and the generation of heat. An activation means for mixing the two substances may comprise a rod or pin 31 mounted on a deformable portion 34 and designed to pass through the breakable seal. Preferably, the first substance is water and the second substance is calcium oxide. Alternatively, the heat provision means may comprise an electrically powered heating element powered by a battery or an electrical connection adapted to fit into an electricity power supply. The device may further comprise an outer container 7 having a base portion 8 and an upper potion 9 which is arranged to enclose the first and second containers. Preferably, the first container is adapted to carry food; for example, the first container may comprise a baby feeding bottle containing milk to be heated.

Description

PORTABLE HEATING DEVICE

This invention relates to a portable heating device, for use particularly, but not exclusively, to heat foodstuffs.

Some foodstuffs cannot be consumed unless they have been cooked, for example raw meat, while others are simply more pleasant when they are hot, for example tea or coffee. Most domestic environments are provided with cookers of one sort or another, and they are widely used to cook and heat foodstuffs for consumption. However, cookers are usually large devices which require a mains gas or electricity supply to operate, and are hence not portable. Therefore, when outside of the domestic environment other heat generating means must be provided to cook or heat foodstuffs.

There are many known ways to generate heat outside of the domestic environment, including camp fires and gas or electrical generator powered stoves.

However, such methods are time consuming to arrange, potentially hazardous and require an excess of fuel. They also cannot be employed on the move. Other known methods include simple electrical heating elements which can be powered by portable power supplies, for example from motor vehicle power outlets. Such devices can only be employed to heat up food, rather than to cook it.

As a result of the difficulties with heating or cooking food outside of the domestic environment, most people don't bother and instead make do with cold food.

However, in one particular instance the consumer may not accept cold food. It is common for babies to drink bottled milk, and in some cases they will not consume it unless it has been warmed up.

Therefore, several baby bottle warming devices are known, including electrically powered heated sleeves which are wrapped around the bottle, and which can be run from a motor vehicle power outlet. However, such methods are not particularly effective and fail to generate sufficient heat quickly enough. They also require a power source.

It is also known to provide containers which retain heat, so a baby's milk can be heated up in a domestic environment before being transferred to such a container and transported elsewhere. However, such containers cannot retain the heat for long and therefore have a limited use.

The present invention is intended to overcome some of the above problems.

Therefore, according to a first aspect of the present invention a portable heating device comprises a first container for carrying a substance to be heated, and a heat provision means, in which a concavity is provided in an outer surface of the first container, and in which at least one portion of the heat provision means is adapted to fit inside said concavity, and to heat a substance carried in the first container in use.

Therefore, the present invention provides for the contents of a baby bottle to be heated from within, as the concavity forms a convexity inside the baby bottle. In other words, milk in a baby bottle surrounds the heated concavity, which is a more efficient way to heat a substance than doing so from the outside, such as with a heated sleeve.

In a preferred construction the heat provision means can comprise a second container carrying a chemical or chemicals, and an activation means adapted to bring about a chemical reaction in the chemical or chemicals which results in the generation of heat.

The second container can be divided into a first compartment and a second compartment, with a breakable seal between them. A first chemical substance can be carried in the first compartment and a second chemical substance can be carried in the second compartment, and the mixing of the first chemical substance and the second chemical substances can result in the generation of heat.

As such, the activation means can comprise a rod or pin extending from a first side of the second container to the breakable seal, which has a first position in which it extends up to a point adjacent to the breakable seal and a second position in which is passes through the breakable seal. The rod can be mounted on a deformable portion of the first side of the second container, and deformation of the deformable portion towards a centre of the second container can move the rod from its first position to its second position. Thus, a user simply presses the deformable portion, and the seal is broken. The chemicals then mix and heat is generated.

It will be appreciated that there are many different chemicals which generate heat when they are mixed, but in a preferred construction the first substance can be water and the second substance can be calcium oxide.

In a preferred construction the portable heating device can further comprise an outer container adapted to carry the first container and the heat provision means.

The outer container can comprise a base portion and an upper portion. The base portion can be adapted to carry the heat provision means such that the first container can be mounted thereon, and the upper portion can be adapted to enclose the first container and the heat provision means.

In order to allow for the parts to fit neatly together, the second container can comprise a first portion adapted to fit into said concavity, and a second portion adapted to be disposed against the first container when the first portion is fitted into said concavity. Further, the base can comprise a plurality of mounting fins arranged radially about a central axis, and spaced radially apart therefrom so as to define an inner mounting area adapted to receive the second portion of the second container.

The plurality of mounting fins can also be adapted to support an underside of the first container thereon. As such, the second container can be mounted in the inner mounting area, and the first container can be mounted on top of the mounting fins with the first portion of the second container inside the concavity.

In order to allow for the deformable portion on the second container to be deformed when the second container is enclosed in the outer container, the base portion can be provided with a outer deformable portion which is arranged such that its deformation deforms the deformable portion of the second container when the second container is carried therein.

The upper portion of the outer container can be provided with internal protrusion means adapted to hold the first container on the heat provision means when the upper portion is secured to the base portion.

It will be appreciated that the invention can be used to heat any substance, however as stated above the invention is preferably used to heat milk. As such the first container can be adapted to carry food, and more particularly it can be a baby bottle.

In an alternative to the above described arrangement, the heat provision means can instead be an electrically powered heating element. Such an element can be battery powered, or it can be provided with an electricity connection means adapted to fit into a electricity power supply.

It will be appreciated that the chemical heat provision means described above will only work once. As such, the second container described above forms a consumable item which needs to be replaced every time the device is used.

Therefore, according to a second aspect of the present invention, a heat provision means is adapted for use in a portable heating device as described above.

One embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of the components of a portable heating device according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional side view of the portable heating device as shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is an exploded, cross-sectional perspective view of the second container part of the heating device as shown in Figure 1; and, Figure 4 is a perspective view of the base portion of the heating device as shown in Figure 1.

As shown in Figure 1 a portable heating device 1 comprises a first container for carrying a substance to be heated, in the form of baby boffie 2, and a heat provision means, in the form of second container 3. As shown in Figure 2, a concavity 4 is provided in an outer surface 5 of the first container 2. At least one portion of the heat provision means 3, in the form of first portion 6, is adapted to fit inside said concavity 4, and to heat a substance carried in the first container 2 in use, as described below.

The device I further comprises an outer container 7 adapted to carry the baby bottle 2 and the second container 3. The outer container 7 comprises base portion 8 upon which the second container 3 and the baby bottle 2 can be mounted, as described further below, and upper portion 9 which encloses the second container 3 and the baby bottle 2, as shown in Figure 2. The base portion 8 is provided with screw thread 10 in its inner surface 11, and the upper portion 9 is provided with screw thread 12 on its outer surface 13. The screw thread 12 is provided on a portion 14 of the outer surface 13 of the upper portion 9 which is of a smaller diameter than the rest of the upper portion 9 and the base portion 8. As such, the portion 14 fits inside the base portion 8, and the screw thread 12 engages with the screw thread 10, as shown in Figure 2. Thus, when the base portion 8 and the upper portion 9 are attached as shown in Figure 2, the diameter of the outer container 7 is uniform along its length.

Referring to Figure 4, the base portion 8 is provided with a plurality of mounting fins 15. The mounting fins 15 are arranged radially about a central axis A-A of the base portion 8, and are spaced radially apart therefrom, so as to define an inner mounting area 16. The upper sides 17 of the mounting fins 15 are shaped to co-operate with the underside 18 of the baby bottle 2, as is most clearly shown in Figure 2.

The second container 3 comprises said first portion 6 and a second portion 19 which is disposed against the baby bottle 2 when the first portion 6 is fitted into the concavity 4. Referring to Figure 2, the second portion 19 fits into the inner mounting area 16 defined by the fins 15. As such, when the baby bottle 2 is mounted onto the first potion 6, as shown in Figure 2, the underside 18 of the baby bottle 2 is supported by the upper sides 17 of the fins 15.

The baby bottle 2 is of a known construction apart from the concavity 4 formed therein, It comprises a bottle 20, a teat 21, a screw ring 22 and an upper cap 23. The upper portion 9 of the outer container 7 is provided with internal protrusion 24 which contacts the upper cap 23 when the upper portion 9 is secured to the base portion 8, as shown in Figure 2. This helps to secure the baby bottle 2 in place inside the outer container 7.

Referring to Figure 3, the second container 3 comprises a lower section 25 and an upper section 26. The upper section 26 is provided with a connection portion 27 which is of a smaller diameter than the rest of it, and which is dimensioned to fit into the lower section 25, as shown in Figure 2. The lower section 25 defines a first compartment 28, and the upper section 26 defines a second compartment 29. A breakable seal 30, constructed from a metal foil, is mounted to the upper section 26 to seal the second compartment 29.

The lower section 25 is provided with a pointed rod 31 which extends from its base 32 upwards towards its top 33. The rod 31 is mounted on a deformable portion 34 provided at the base 32 of the lower section 25, which allows the rod 31 to be pushed upwards.

In Figure 2 the upper section 26 is connected to the lower section 25, and as such the rod 31 assumes a first position in which it extends up to a point adjacent to the breakable seat 30. If an upwards force is applied to the deformable portion 34 the rod 31 is pushed through the breakable seal 30, and substances in the first and second compartments 28 and 29 can mix.

In order to allow for such an upward forced to be applied to the deformable portion 34 when the second container 3 is enclosed in the outer container 7, the base portion 8 is provided with a outer deformable portion 35, which is arranged directly underneath the deformable portion 34, and axially aligned thereto. The outer deformable portion 35 is provided inside a small socket 36 in the base portion 8, to prevent its accidental depression.

In use water (not shown) is contained within the second compartment 29 and calcium oxide (not shown) is contained within the first compartment 28. The upper section 26 is filled with water then sealed with the breakable seal 30, then the lower section 25 is filled with calcium oxide, and sealed with the upper section 26. The upper section 26 is non-releasably fixed to the lower section 25 to prevent leakage.

Thus, in use the user fills the baby bottle 2 with milk (not shown) to be consumed and closes it with the teat 21, screw ring 22 and upper cap 23. When the milk is to be heated up for consumption the user opens up the outer container 7, and places a sealed and unspent second container 3, carrying both water and calcium oxide separated by the breakable seal 30 as described above, in the inner mounting area 16. The user then places the concavity 4 of the baby bottle 2 onto the first portion 6, until the baby bottle 2 fits snugly thereon, and is supported by the fins 15.

The upper portion 9 of the outer container is then screwed back onto the base portion 8 to enclose the baby bottle 2 and the second container 3. The protrusion 24 ensures that everything is held together.

To operate the device 1, the user simply presses against the outer deformable portion 35, which deforms inwards, and deforms the deformable portion 34. This pushes the rod 31 upwards, which breaks the seal 30. As a result the water in the second compartment 29 mixes with the calcium oxide in the first compartment 28, and the two substances react with one another and generate heat.

The heat is radiated out from the second container 3 and then through the outer surface 5 of the baby bottle 2, primarily in the vicinity of the concavity 4, but also through the underside 18, which heats up the milk in the baby bottle 2. Any heat radiated out from parts of the second portion 19 which do not contact the baby bottle 2, is emitted into the region of the fins 15. As such the air between the fins 15 is heated up and this helps to heat the parts of the underside 18 of the baby bottle 2 which are not supported on the fins 15. Hot air also circulates around the outside of the fins 15 and travels upwards into the upper portion 9 of the outer container 7, which further heats the baby bottle 2. This construction also prevents any undue overheating of the internal parts of the device 1, as heated air can circulate inside the outer container 7. The heat generated by the reaction inside the second container 3 is sufficient to heat the milk in the baby bottle 2 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit.

It will be appreciated that as the outer container 7 is closed, the heat generated by the chemical reaction between the water and the calcium oxide is contained to a certain extent within the outer container 7. This ensures that the energy released is utilised to its best effect to heat up the baby bottle 2 and its contents, and is not wasted to atmosphere.

It will be further appreciated that the temperature generated by the heat provision means can be raised or lowered by altering the quantities of water and calcium oxide in the second container 3 as desired. In the embodiment shown the quantities are measured such that the milk is heated to a maximum of 95 degrees Fahrenheit. The baby bottle 2 can be removed from the device 1 before this temperature is reached if a lesser temperature is desired.

When the milk in the baby bottle 2 is ready for consumption the user opens up the outer container 7 once more, and removes the baby bottle 2 from the base portion 8. The baby bottle 2 can then be used in the known way.

After a short period of time the chemical reaction between the water and the calcium oxide comes to an end, and the generation of heat stops. When it is safe to do so the user removes the spent second container 3 and disposes of it. If a further heating process is required, the same procedure as above is performed, but with a new un-spent second container 3.

The invention also includes these consumable heat provision means on their own, and the second aspect of the present invention is clearly supported by Figure 3

and the accompanying description.

The embodiment described above can be altered without departing from the scope of Claim 1. In particular, in other alternative constructions (not shown) the heat provision means comprises electrically heated elements. In one version the electrically heated element is battery powered, and in another version the electrically heated element is provided with an electricity connection means adapted to fit into a electricity power supply. -lo-

in other alternative embodiments (not shown) the first containers are not baby bottles, but simple food containers containing food to be heated up for consumption.

Thus, a portable heating device is provided which can quickly and easily heat up bottled baby milk for consumption.

Claims

Claims 1. A portable heating device comprising a first container for

carrying a substance to be heated, and a heat provision means, in which a concavity is provided in an outer surface of the first container, and in which at least one portion of the heat provision means is adapted to fit inside said concavity, and to heat a substance carried in the first container in use.

2. A portable heating device as claimed in Claim 1 in which the heat provision means comprises a second container carrying a chemical or chemicals, and in which the heat provision means is provided with activation means adapted to bring about a chemical reaction in the chemical or chemicals which results in the generation of heat.

3. A portable heating device as claimed in Claim 2 in which the second container is divided into a first compartment and a second compartment, in which a breakable seal is disposed between the first compartment and the second compartment, in which a first chemical substance is carried in the first compartment and a second chemical substance is carried in the second compartment, and in which mixing of the first chemical substance and the second chemical substances results in the generation of heat.

4. A portable heating device as claimed in Claim 3 in which the activation means comprises a rod or pin extending from a first side of the second container to the breakable seal, in which the rod has a first position in which it extends up to a point adjacent to the breakable seal and a second position in which is passes through the breakable seal.

5. A portable heating device as claimed in Claim 4 in which the rod is mounted on a deformable portion of the first side of the second container, and in which deformation of the deformable portion towards a centre of the second container moves the rod from said first position to said second position.

6. A portable heating device as claimed in Claim 5 in which the first substance is water, and in which the second substance is calcium oxide.

7. A portable heating device as claimed in any of the preceding Claims in which the portable heating device further comprises an outer container adapted to carry the first container and the heat provision means.

8. A portable heating device as claimed in Claim 7 in which the outer container comprises a base portion and an upper portion, in which the base portion is adapted to carry the heat provision means such that the first container can be mounted thereon, and in which the upper portion is adapted to enclose the first container and the heat provision means.

9. A portable heating device as claimed in Claim 8 when dependent on any of Claims 2 to 6, in which the second container comprises a first portion adapted to fit into said concavity, and a second portion adapted to be disposed against the first container when the first portion is fitted into said concavity.

10. A portable heating device as claimed in Claim 9 in which the base comprises a plurality of mounting fins arranged radially about a central axis, and spaced radially apart therefrom so as to define an inner mounting area adapted to receive the second portion of the second container, and in which the plurality of mounting fins are adapted to support an underside of the first container thereon.

11. A portable heating device as claimed in any of Claims 8 to 10 when dependent on Claim 5, in which the base portion is provided with a outer deformable portion, and in which deformation of the outer deformable portion when the outer container carries the first container and the heat provision means deforms the deformable portion of the second container.

12. A portable heating device as claimed in any of Claims 7 to 11 in which the upper portion is provided with internal protrusion means adapted to hold the first container on the heat provision means when the upper portion is secured to the base portion.

13. A portable heating device as claimed in any of the preceding Claims in which the first container is adapted to carry food.

14. A portable heating device as claimed in Claim 13 in which the first container IS a baby bottle.

15. A portable heating device as claimed in Claim 1 in which the heat provision means comprises an electrically powered heating element.

16,. A portable heating device as claimed in Claim 15 in which the electrically powered heating element is powered by a battery.

17. A portable heating device as claimed in Claim 15 or 16 in which the electrically powered heating element is provided with an electricity connection means adapted to fit into a electricity power supply.

18. A portable heating device substantially as described herein and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

19. Heat provision means adapted for use in a portable heating device as claimed in any of the preceding Claims.