GB2182762A

GB2182762A - Cooling devices for cans containing beverages

Info

Publication number: GB2182762A
Application number: GB08527426A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kin Shen Hwang
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1985-11-07
Filing date: 1985-11-07
Publication date: 1987-05-20
Anticipated expiration: 2005-11-07
Also published as: GB2182762B; GB8527426D0

Abstract

Cooling devices 2, 4 for cans containing beverages are disclosed in which, either a closure member 2a is integrally formed with an end panel 10 of the can 1, or a closure member (40) is separately formed into a part annular loop shape that is capable of detachably engaging the outer surface of the can 1. A suitable cooling substance 22, preferably in a compressed form, is charged in the closure member 2a, (40) which is sealed with a detachable sealing member 3, (44). The sealing member can be removed to allow the pressurised coolant to evaporate or expand, so as to absorb heat from the can and thus cool the content of the can. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Cooling devices for cans containing beverages This invention relates to cooling devices which can when operated be used to cool beverages contained in cans.

Canned beverages are usually placed inside a refrigerator or a container filled with ice in order to lower the temperature and to increase the taste of the beverages before they are served to and enjoyed by the consumer/ drinker. However, on some occasions a refrigerator or ice cubes may not be available and the beverages thus cannot be cooled as desired. Therefore, it is an object of this invention to avoid this disadvantage by providing cooling devices which can when operated be used to cool beverages contained in cans.

According to the present invention, a cooling device for a can containing a beverage comprises closure member which contains therein a cooling substance, said cooling substance being capable of absorbing heat from its surrounding when exposed to the atmosphere and allowed to evaporate, and a detachable sealing member sealing said cooling substance in said closure member.

In one embodiment, said closure member is integrally formed with a metallic panel of a can, and said metallic panel is an end panel of a cylindrically bodied can whose opposite end panel is capable of being opened to provide access to a beverage.

In another embodiment, said closure member is formed into the shape of a loop capable of snugly fitting around a cylindrically bodied can, said detachable sealing member is located on one of the two extreme opposite ends of said loop, and said closure member has an upper surface, an outer surface and a lower surface each of which is covered with a heat-insulating material.

Said detachable sealing member may have a ring tab capable of being pulled to cut open said closure member, and said cooling substance may be compressed difluoromethane, dichloromethane or fluorotrichloromethane, or dry ice.

In use, phe cooling device is manually operated by detaching the sealing member to expose the cooling substance to the atmosphere whereby the cooling substance is activated and the can and the beverage contained therein are cooled to the desired temperature.

Two cooling devices, in accordance with the present invention, will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a partly cut away perspective view of a can, showing a first embodiment of the cooling device of this invention; Figure 2 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the cooling device shown in Fig. 1; Figure 3 is a partly cut away perspective view showing a second embodiment of the cooling device of this invention; and Figure 4 is a schematic drawing showing the second embodiment of the cooling device shown in Fig. 3 being employed on a can.

In Figs. 1 and 2 there is shown a first embodiment of the cooling device of this invention. As shown, a cooling device 2 is located at substantially the centre of bottom end panel 10 of cylindrically bodied can 1 and protrudes vertically towards top end panel 10' as though it were concealed within the interior of can 1. Cooling device 2 comprises: closure member 2a which is integrally formed with end panel 10 and defines a closed inner end 20; sealing member 3 detachably provided at outer end 21 of closure member 2a; and cooling substance 22 such as compressed difluoromethane, or dichloromethane or fluorotrichloromethane, or dry ice, contained within the space defined by closure member 2a and sealing member 3. Sealing member 3 has a shape corresponding to that of outer end 21 of closure member 2a and is provided with a ring tab 30 fixedly attached to its outer surface.

When operated, one can put can 1 in an upsidedown position with bottom end panel 10 facing upwards, and then hold and pull ring tab 30 to remove sealing member 3, or to cut open closure member 2a, so that the cooling substance is exposed to the atmosphere and allowed to expand or evaporate.

The evaporating cooling substance will absorb heat from the surrounding, thus cooling the whole can.

In Fig. 3 there is shown a second embodiment of this invention, in which the cooling device is made as an article separate from can 1. The cooling device 4 shown in Fig. 3 comprises a closure member 40 in a part annular, hollow, loop shape which is made of metal having good heat conductivity and is preferably rectangular in cross section.

Closure member 40 is provided with layer 41 of heat-insulating material along its top, bottom, and outer peripheral surfaces, leaving its inner peripheral surface uninsulated. Also, closure member 40 has its two extreme opposite ends 42 and 43 so spaced that it can be snugly fit onto the outer surface of a cylindrically bodied can 1 having a diameter slightly larger than the unstressed inner diameter of closure member 40. The above-mentioned cooling substance such as compressed difluoromethane, dichloromethane or fluorotrichloromethane, or dry ice, is stored in hollow portion 40a of closure member 40, which has its one end 42 readily closed while its other end 43 is sealed with detachable sealing member 44 after the cooling substance has been charged into closure member 40. Sealing member 44 is provided with a ring tab 44a.

With the arrangement described above, it is apparent that can 1 containing a beverage can be cooled when cooling device 4 is engaged around the can body (as shown in Fig. 4) and ring tab 44a is pulled to remove sealing member 44, or to cut open closure member 40.

Since closure member .40 is suitable insulated along its top, bottom and outer peripheral surfaces, it will merely absorb heat from the contents of the can through the uninsulated inner peripheral surface in contact with the outer surface of the can body without absorbing heat from the atmosphere.

From the foregoing, there results a cooling device for a can containing a beverage which is simple in construction and easy to operate.

Furthermore, as the cooling substance is isolated from the contents of the can, no hygienic problems will be incurred in either storing or drinking the beverage.

Claims

1. A cooling device for a can containing a beverage comprising a closure member which contains therein a cooling substance, said cooling substance being capable of absorbing heat from its surrounding when exposed to the atmosphere and allowed to evaporate, and a detachable sealing member sealing said cooling substance in said closure member.

2. A cooling device according to claim 1, in which said closure member is integrally formed with a metallic panel of a can.

3. A cooling device according to claim 2, in which said metallic panel is an end panel of a cylindrically bodied can whose opposite end panel is capable of being opened to provide access to a beverage.

4. A cooling device according tot claim 1, in which said closure member is formed into the shape of a loop capable of snugly fitting around a cylindrically bodied can.

5. A cooling device according to claim 4, in which said detachable sealing member is located on one of the two extreme opposite ends of said loop.

6. A cooling device according to claim 4 or claim 5, in which said closure member has an upper surface, an outer surface and a lower surface each of which is covered with a heat-insulating material.

7. A cooling device according to any preceding claim, in which said detachable sealing member has a ring tab capable of being pulled to cut open said closure member.

8. A cooling device according to any preceding claim, in which said cooling substance is compressed difluoromethane, dichloromethane or fluorotrichloromethane.

8. A cooling device according to any preceding claim, in which said cooling substance is compressed difluoromethane, dichloromethane or fluorotrichloromethane, or dry ice.

9. A cooling device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2, or Figs. 3 and 4, of the accompanying drawings.

CLAIMS Amendments to the claims have been filed, and have the following effect: Claims 1, 2, 3 & 8 above have been deleted or textually amended.

New or textually amended claims have been filed as follows:-

1. A cooling device for a can containing a beverage comprising a closure member which contains therein a cooling substance, said cooling substance being capable of absorbing heat from its surrounding when exposed to the atmosphere and allowed to evaporate, and a detachable sealing member sealing said cooling substance in said closure member without sealing a beverage in a can.

2. A cooling device according to claim 1, in which said closure member is integrally formed with an end panel of a can containing a beverage, and protrudes inwardly towards an opposite end panel of said can, that end of said closure member closer to said opposite end panel of said can is integrally closed, and the opposite end of said closure member is closed by said detachable sealing member.

3. A cooling device according to claim 2, in which said opposite end panel of said can is closed by a further detachable sealing member sealing said beverage in said can.