AU672955B2 - Exothermic and/or endothermic container for prepared meals - Google Patents

Description

L i I I I

I

OPI DATE 16/03/93 AOJP DATE 27/05/93 APPLN. ID 25150/92 PCT NUMBER PCT/FR92/OU817 S11111111 III 111111111 II 1111 III ll AU9225150 DEMANDE INTERNATIONALE PUBLIEE EN VERTU DU TRAITE DE COOPERATION EN MATIERE DE BREVETS (PCT) (51) Classification internationale des brevets 5 (11)Numero de publication internationale: WO 93/03660 A47J 36/28, F25D 5/02 Al (43) Date de publication internationale: 4 mars 1993 (04.03.93) (21) Numero de la demande internationale: PCT/FF.92/00817 (22) Date de dep6t international: 24 aoit 1992 (24.08.92) Publiee Avec rapport de recherche internationale.

Avant l'expiration du delai prvu pour la modification des revendications, sera republiie si de telles modifications sont reues.

Donn6es relatives i la priorite: 91/10558 23 aofit 1991 (23.08.91) FR (71)(72) D6posant et inventeur: VERDIER, Louis [FR/FR]; bis, avenue Gilles, F-94340 Joinville-le-Pont (FR).

(81) Etats d6sign6s: AT, AU, BB, BG, BR, CA, CH, CS, DE, DK, ES, Fl, GB, HU, JP, KP, KR, LK, LU, MG, MN, MW, NL, NO, PL, RO, RU, SD, SE, US, brevet europeen (AT, BE, CH, DE, DK, ES, FR, GB, GR, IE, IT, LU, MC, NL, SE), brevet OAPI (BF, BJ, CF, CG, CI, CM, GA, GN, ML, MR, SN, TD, TG).

67 L I E, -rHeIc l lAJ/OA uOoTH4RmlIC Co'AllUfE tORo PPIEO MEkALS (54) Title: S GE USE OR RE-USA.. EnTHERMIC AND/R NDOT HRMIC REPIE T, i. CONDENSATION MEANSI SH ASAT -R IMILAR, FREE FROM VAPOURS AND INjr'Cas m QN( -OR Rl TSU C RECIPIENTS (54)Titre: RECIPIENT EXOTHERMIQUE ET/OU ENDOTHERMIQUE, A CONDENSATION DES VAPEURS, TEL QUE BARQUETTE, ASSIETTE OU AUTRE, EXEMPT DE VAPEURS ET D'ODEURS, REUTILISABLE OU NON ET PLATEAUX-REPAS POUR LA RESTAURATION EMBARQUEE OU DE CAMPAGNE MUNIS D'UN OU PLUSIEURS DE CES RECIPIENTS (57) Abstract A single use or reusable exothermic and/or endothermic recipient such as a dish, plate or similar is disclosed. It comprises at least two parts 3) made from the same material and cooperating with each other in that they are superposed, one fitting inside the other or one being folded with respect to the other. The active part serves as an external shell for the passive part a space being formed between the bottom of each part to receive a reagent and a larger space being formed between the side portions and/or central portions of the two parts 3) to provide a collection chamber for vapours and odours, said chamber containing an initiator contained in a package. The external surface of one or other of the parts 3) has a means (9) for releasing the initiator which acts on the reagent in space The reagent is contained or placed in a package and causes an exothermic or endothermic reaction when acted upon by the released initiator. The two parts 3) are linked by means of a hinge so that, when joined, they form a single unit. Application in general to on-board or field catering.

~i -1- EXOTHERMIC AND/OR ENDOTHERMIC CONTAINER The invention relates to exothermic and/or endothermic containers such as tubs, plates, dishes or other containers, and which may or may not be re-usable, and meal plates equipped with one or more such containers.

Many ways have been proposed for obtaining an exothermic reaction for reheating foodstuffs or meals in circumstances where it is not possible to use a combustion device.

However previously proposed food containers utilising an exothermic reaction as a means of heating the food have raised certain difficulties arising both before and after the reaction. One problem is that of accidental triggering of the reaction.

~Accidental triggering can result from several factors, e.g. bad handling of the products during delivery or stocking, or thermal shocks, mainly after taking the products to be consumed out of a refrigerating or freezing machine, when sweating due to S" condensation is likely to occur.

Another problem is that the reaction can generate steam and odours which may 20 escape to the atmosphere which means that the product is unsuitable for use in a closed space, such as the cabin of an aircraft or an apartment.

C According to the present invention, there is provided an exothermic and/or l endothermic container for the packaging of a prepared meal and having means for heating or cooling the meal, said container comprising az inner part for carrying a meal, and an outer part which provides externalug for the inner part, a space defined between the inner and outer parts, said space receiving a reaction agent, a chamber defined between the inner and outer parts, an initiating agent which when liberated reacts with j the reaction agent in the space to cause an exothermic or endothermic reaction, and means actuable to cause liberation of the initiating agent, said chamber serving as a collectin, chamber to collect steam and odour generated as a result of the reaction 960417,p:\oper\rsh,verdier.025,1 -2between the initiating agent and reaction agent.

An exothermic and/or endothermic container in accordance with preferred embodiments of the invention allows drawbacks of previously proposed containers to be overcome in a satisfactory manner, and comprises two containers, one active which acts as the packaging of the other non-active container, which contains the meal. The container provides a condensation chamber for collecting the steam and odours resulting from the reaction agent. A covered or coated reaction agent is positioned under the nonactive container and reacts with the initiating agent when released.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:- Figure 1 shows a sectional view of an exothermic container, composed of two parts which join under the condensation chamber; Figure 2 shows a sectional view of another embodiment of the container with a removable base; Figure 3 shows a sectional view of another embodiment of the container which has a condensation chamber that can be closed and a drawer for the active element; 00 :o 0 Figure 4 shows an embodiment of the container composed of two parts 20 interlocked by their respective edges; Figure 5 shows a sectional view of another embodiment; :show" Figure 6 shows in greater detail the general structure of the active container shown in Figure Figure 7 shows several different methods of reinforcing the active container; P 25 Figure 8 shows schematically several ways of realising the covered reaction agent.

0 0 As shown in Figures 1, 2, 4 and 5, an exothermic and/or endothermic container 1, such as a tub, plate or other, whether re-usable or not, includes at least two parts 2 and 3 of which at least one is made of insulating materials or includes complementary insulating materials. The container part 2 is non-active and constitutes an inner part and the container 3 is active and constitutes an outer part; the non-active container part 2 960826,p:\oper\rsh,verdier.025,2 I I contains the prepared meal to be heated or cooled whilst the active container part 3 1/ provides the external support for the non-active container part 2 leaving a space 4 between the two container parts 2 and 3 sufficiently large to accommodate an active agent hereinafter referred to as the reaction agent. Between the sides 6 of the two container parts 2 and 3 there is a larger space which forms an impervious condensation chamber 7 for the steam and odours. This chamber 7 also contains an initiating agent 8, which Smay be a catalytic agent. Preferably the initiating agent is in fluid form enclosed in flexible packaging. The surface of one or the other of the container parts 2 and 3 facing into the chamber 7 is equipped with a means 9 for freeing the initiating agent which, when it is activated, allows the fluid liberated to run downwardly into the space 4 which is defined between the bottoms of the two containers and which contains the reaction agent 5 which by the action of the fluid liberated, produces an enclosed exothermic or endothermic reaction.

The reaction agent 5 which may also be covered !ies externally of the bottom and sides of the non-active container part 2 so as to obtain a highly efficient reaction and i' effective heat transfer with the adjacent surfaces of the non-active container part 2. The two container parts 2 and 3, depending upon the variation to which they are realised, are joined so that they form a single impervious assembly.

!i According to a preferred characteristic of the invention, as shown in Figures 1 to 6, the two container parts 2 and 3 which interlock with each other define the space 4 which is sufficiently large to withstand the change in volume due to the exothermic and/or endothermic reactions, but which overall is reduced as much as possible but calculated to be sufficient for the intended purpose. The condensation chamber 7 houses the fluid initiating agent 8 which can, depending on the embodiment used, be contained in flexible packaging (Figures 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6) or contained by the structure of the chamber 7 (Figure after having been introduced into the chamber via an appropriate hole 10 leading into the chamber from the outside. In this latter variant the base of the chamber 7 has a sealing device 11 to close the chamber 7, but which allows rapid and sure opening and closing from tne outside when it is required to release the initiating o 9 60826,p:\oper\rsh,verdier.025,3 -4agent 8. The space 4 contains the reaction agent 5 which, depending on the particular embodiment, can be positioned on the base and sides, on the base only or on a removable component such as a drawer 12, a screwed base or other component which carries the initiating agent 8, the reaction agent 5, and a means for releasing the initiating agent 8.

In another embodiment (not shown) the two container parts 2,3 are moulded as respective parts of a single unit, with the two containers being interconnected by a hinge.

In the more detailed construction illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, an internal flange 13 of the outer container part 2 which defines a wall of the condensation chamber 7 has one or more ridges or grooves 14 and 15, which, when the container parts 2 and 3 are interlocked, provide a first mechanical seal between the two container parts 2 and 3, whilst allowing a possible pinching of an upper edge 16 of the covered reaction agent A tongue 17 on the upper part of the active container 3, also provides a second mechanical seal which can be comrnplemented further by appropriate methods such as glueing around the edges or thermowelding the two containers.

According to another preferred characteristic, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, the container part 3 is so configured that the inlet and outlet to the condensation chamber 7 is in the form of a venturi 18 in order to provide better absorption of the vapours given off by the chemical reaction, and which will be stored in this chamber.

O 0k As previously discussed, the condensation chamber 7 is equipped with means 9 to liberate the initiating agent 8. The means 9 operates by perforating, tearing, opening 25 or otherwise acting on the means enclosing the initiating agent 8. The liberating means is preferably placed in a recess 19 formed by a depression in the lower part of the condensation chamber 7 for example, and made impervious by means of an appropriate seal 20 if necessary. The positioning of the liberating means 9 in a protected place is f important, as the containers packaged for sale are subjected to successive handling and storage operations; it is therefore important to avoid any unintentional release of the Rinitiating agent.

nt t ag n 960826,p:\oper\rsh,verdier.025,4 I r I Ir 1 I-r As shown in Figure 7, the base and/or sides of the active container part 3 can be covered or formed so that they have reinforcements 21, or grooves 22 and 23, rendering all or part of the container adiabatic, so as to protect the user from all heat variations due to the triggering of the chemical reaction.

The initiating agent may consist of water with the possible addition of glycol, emkand, methylated spirits or ethylene glycol, contained in hermetically sealed flexible packaging that may be perforated or torn and produced, for example, in a plastic from the polyethylene or polypropylene families.

As shown in Figure 8, the reaction agent 5 may be covered, compacted and protected on its upper part 24, so as to make it impermeable, using a metallic sheet such as a sheet of aluminium, or plastic, or bubble wrap, the baibbles being intended to provide additional adiabatic effect once the chemical reaction's role has been completed.

This protection is to avoid any unforeseen triggering of the chemical reaction due, for example, to the vaporisation of condensed water which can happen as a result of thermal shocks, such as may occur on withdrawal from cold storage or refrigeration of containers packaged for sale. The pinching of the upper edge 16 of the covered reaction agent 5 at the internal flange 13 also reduces the risk of unforeseen triggering.

The reaction agent 5, for better installation, may be partially pre-cut as shown at except on the top surface where it remains protected. In order to be more efficient and to ensure circular irradiation, it is preferably placed on all of the exposed surfaces of the non-active container part. Preferably it is also absorbent so that it can absorb, :is 25 after the chemical reaction, any excess liquid from the initiating agent which is stagnant in the condensation chamber or on the base of the active container part.

0 rI 960826,p:\opcr\rsh,verdier.025,5 I 1IIC~~ -6- Preferably the covered reaction agent is composed of constituents such as: calcium oxide potassium hydroxide orthophosphoric acid potassium permanganate sodium nitrate phosphoric anhydride also possibly added: glycerine sorbite or sorbitol colloids or colloidal materials metallic oxide powders ethyl cellulose methyl cellulose S' 15 isopropanol permitting compacting to an acceptable thickness, associating and working with other constituents such as: papier mache wood shavings waste tissue -vegetable or cellulose fibres -fabric waste The reaction agent may also be pre-cut in order to match the inside of the noni active container/better, whilst facilitating its installation. Its upper half is protected to make it impermeable, it can however, be encapsulated by providing in this case, on one or more of its sides, an opening for absorption of the initiating agent.

The invention may be used for catering on site or in the field, tinned food, drinks and plate meals with one or more containers which include one or more of the above described characteristics.

960417,p\op','rsh,verdier.025,6

J~

-7- In general, the invention has applicability for catering on-board aircraft, spacecraft, boats, trains or other transport, for catering in the field, for mobile catering as well as on the spot catering at all sites, even in zones of conflict.

0o o *s a ft 1 a a I, a Cs, a ft f a', 960417,p:\oper\rsh,verdier.025,7

Claims (20)

1. An exothermic and/or endothermic container for the packaging of a prepared meal and having means for heating or cooling the meal, said container comprising an inner part for carrying a meal, and an outer part which provides externalft for the inner part, a space defined between the inner and outer parts, said space receiving a reaction agent, a chamber defined between the inner and outer parts, an initiating agent which when liberated reacts with the reaction agent in the space to cause an exothermic or endothermic reaction, and means actuable to cause liberation of the initiating agent, said chamber serving as a collecting chamber to collect steam and odour generated as a result of the reaction between the initiating agent and reaction agent. S2. A container according to claim 1, wherein the chamber contains the initiating *0 9 agent.

3. A container according to claim 2, wherein the initiating agent is held within an enclosure within the chamber, and the means for liberating the initiating agent comprises means for causing opening of the enclosure.

4. A container according to claim 3, wherein the liberating means causes opening of the enclosure by tearing or perforating the enclosure. i* A container according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the liberating means extends from a wall of the chamber.

6. A container according to claim 5, wherein the liberating means is situated within a depression in the wall of the chamber to tinimise risk of accidental actuation. f

7. A container according to claim 2, wherein the chamber forms an enclosure for the initiating agent, and the liberating means comprises means for opening the chamber to permit the initiating agent to pass from the container into the space. 960417,p:oper\rsh,verdier.025,8 -9-

8. A container according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the reaction agent lies at least beneath a bottom wall of the inner part.

9. A container according to claim 8, wherein the reaction agent also lies adjacent a side wail of the inner part. A container according to claim 1, wherein the reaction agent, initiating agent and liberating means are carried by a component mounted within the space.

11. A container according to claim 10, wherein said component .s removable.

12. A container according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the inner part is separate from and is sealed to the outer part.

13. A container according to claim 12, wherein the outer part includes an inner wall having one or more ribs or grooves which co-operate with the inner part to provide a first seal between the two parts.

14. A container according to claim 13, wherei' the inner part is also sealed to the outer part at an upper wall of the outer part to provide a second seal between the two parts.

15. A container according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the inner and outer parts are respective parts of a single unit connected one to the other by means of a hinge.

16. A container according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein at least a portion of the outer part is so formed as to substantially prevent heat transmission through that part.

17. A container according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein an upper portion of the reaction agent carries an impermeable sheet which renders said portion impermeable, and the reaction agent is absorbent. 960417,p:\oper\rsh,verdier.025,9 I I

18. A container according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the initiating agent consists of water with the optional addition of glycol, emkand, methylated spirits or ethylene glycol, phosphoric acid.

19. A container according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the reaction agent comprises at least one of: calcium oxide potassium hydroxide orthophosphoric acid potassium permanganate sodium nitrate phosphoric anhydride z with the optional addition of at least one of: ethyl cellulose methyl cellulose glycerine sorbitol colloidal materials metal oxide powders isopropanol papier mache wood shavings fabric waste vegetable or cellulose fibres

20. A container according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherei .he reaction agent is coated or covered.

21. A container according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the initiating agent is within a flexible packaging. 960417,p:\oper\rsh,verdier.025,10 I1I

22. An exothermic and/or endothermic container, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. DATED this 17th day Of April LOUIS VERDIER By his Patent Attorneys: DAVIES COLLISON CAVE

1996. I I T 4 4~ 4 .44,' 4C*&44 U 44 *4 .4.4. .4 4 *44e*4 .4 4. *4 4 44 444. 4~~c bb~L_ 960417,p;\oper\rs,verdier.02A 11