KR20020043608A - Self-heating or self-cooling containers - Google Patents

Abstract

The self-heating metal can 10 has an indented base 16 which constitutes an outer cavity 20 which is used to contain heating means. The heating means comprise quicklime 26 filled in the first chamber 28 and water in the second chamber 32 of the cavity 20. The breakable membrane 24 separates the two chambers 28, 32, and the second chamber 32 is closed by the closure 30. By pressing the button 50 of the closure to move the long puncture member 42 to puncture the membrane 24, water from the chamber 32 flows into the quicklime 22 to cause an exothermic reaction.

Description

Self-heating or self-cooling containers {SELF-HEATING OR SELF-COOLING CONTAINERS}

There have been many proposals for self-heating or self-cooling beverage containers. For example, Patent Application Publication WO 96/29255 has a conventional beverage can, except that it has an indented base that forms an outer cavity in which means for cooling or heating the contents of the can is housed. Cans with the same outer dimensions and shapes are known.

Heating or cooling to the contents of the can can be achieved by using two kinds of chemical reactants which are stable when separated but which cause exothermic or endothermic reactions when mixed. U.S. Patent 5,626,022 describes one of many embodiments of an insert for a self-heating or self-cooling can that can mix reactants if necessary.

This structure is common and suggests the use of modules that are preassembled and then inserted into cans.

Many examples of such inserts and modules have been proposed, but none of them are known to be completely satisfied. The design is very complex, unbearable or destroyed to normal transportation and handling. In particular, the need to form modules, such as subassemblies, increases manufacturing costs.

The present invention overcomes the problems presented in existing inserts for self-cooling and self-heating containers.

The present invention relates to a self-heating or self-cooling container.

1 is a schematic representation of one embodiment of a self-heating beverage container.

2 is an enlarged view of the base of the container of FIG. 1 in an inverted position;

3 shows an example of a container of the present invention in an inverted position and shows the shape of the outer cavity and the closure member.

4 shows an inverted container with a breakable membrane carrier.

According to the invention there is provided a tubular outer circumferential wall, an upper member for closing one end of the outer circumferential wall, a base member for closing the other end of the outer circumferential wall and an inner cavity for the contents of a container formed in the outer circumferential wall. A self-heating or self-cooling container is provided, the base member being indented to form an outer cavity extending within the outer circumferential wall but separated from the inner cavity, and heating or cooling the contents of the container within the outer cavity. Means for receiving and said heating or cooling means comprises a destructible membrane which divides said outer cavity into first and second chambers, a first reactive material and said first reactive material sealed in said first chamber by said destructible membrane; And a closing member for closing the second chamber to retain the second reaction material in the second chamber. By destroying or puncturing destructible film comprises a movable perforated means for mixing the first and the second reaction material.

In embodiments of the self heating or self cooling containers of the present invention, there is no need to form heating or cooling means with the subassembly. Instead, the individual parts of the heating or cooling means are simply assembled in the outer cavity of the container. This preferably occurs after the container is filled and after the contents have received any necessary treatment.

When the reaction materials are mixed, a chemical reaction will generally occur to create a heating or cooling effect, for example. This chemical reaction may be related to temperature changes as well as pressure changes. Thus, the pressure evacuation means is suitably associated with the closing member and / or the container. In a preferred embodiment, one valve or seal is associated with the closing member.

Although the container has been developed especially for use as a self-heating or self-cooling beverage container, it is suitable for use as a container in which the first material necessary for mixing with the second material is included and can be continuously mixed. The first and second materials needed to be mixed at the moment of use can be chemically reacted.

The invention extends to a container to facilitate mixing of the first and second materials, the container being a cavity, a breakable film that divides the cavity into first and second chambers, the first chamber by the breakable film A movement capable of mixing the first and second materials by breaking or puncturing the first material sealed in the interior, the closing member closing the second chamber to maintain the second reaction material in the second chamber and the breakable membrane; Possible drilling means.

For example, hair dryers and hair permanents need to be activated the moment they apply them to the hair. This is done by reacting the first chemical with the rest of the chemical formula. The first chemical may be housed in a second chamber of the container of the present invention, and the first chamber in the cavity may be used to contain the remaining chemical of formula. The closure is pressed when it is necessary to use a hair dry or hair perming agent to mix the first chemical with the rest of the chemical.

In another embodiment, the container of the present invention may constitute a paint can, for example, in which one color of paint contained in the first chamber is mixed with another color of paint held in the second chamber. This allows, for example, the container of the present invention to make a paint comprising a selected mix of two colors available.

Containers of the present invention are primarily suitable for containing fluids, but may be used in any matter required at the time of use, and / or mixing of fluid materials with other materials, and / or chemical reactions.

For example, the closure member and the puncturing means can be separated into elements. For example, the perforation member may be arranged to be movable through and with respect to the closure member.

However, in presently preferred embodiments which are simply structured and convenient to use, the closing member supports the puncturing means and the movement of the puncturing means can destroy or puncture the breakable membrane.

In addition, the closure member may include a cap with a partition formed to receive the second reaction material and / or enclose additional elements of the container.

However, it is now desirable to make this structure as simple as possible.

In one embodiment, the closure member includes a perimeter arranged to engage the container and supports one or more elongated perforated members extending from the inner surface of the closure member.

The long perforated member may be fixed to the inner surface of the closure member or may be formed integrally therewith.

The perforated member needs to be movable to perforate the breakable membrane. This movement can be accommodated by mounting the perforation member on a pushbutton or plunger structure supported in the closure member. In the case where the perforated member is directly attached to or integrally formed with the closure member, the hinge means can be formed in the closure member.

In a preferred embodiment, the closure member and the perforation member are formed of plastic and the closure member is formed to provide the necessary movement relative to the perforation member.

In a preferred embodiment, the long puncture member is attached to and erect from the closure member, such an arrangement to move the puncture member to pierce the breakable membrane by pressing the closure member adjacent to the puncture member.

Preferably, the perforated member is disposed almost in the center of the closure member.

The perforated member can be attached to the closure member. In a preferred embodiment, the elongate member is formed integrally with the closure member.

In a preferred embodiment, the perforation member is mounted on the closure member with a button formed in the closure member. This button may be an individual structure provided in the closure member. However, the button is preferably molded integrally with the closure member.

In a preferred embodiment, the button is formed as an annular groove and has a domed portion. Normally, the dome is convex, but putting pressure on it causes excessive central movement, which reverses the curvature of the dome. This pushes the perforated member supported toward the breakable membrane to puncture the breakable membrane.

Suitably, the closure member is arranged to clip to the base of the container and acts to close the outer cavity. Alternatively, the closure member can be mechanically connected by other means, for example by screw connection.

For example, the closure member may be provided with an outer rim suitably shaped to clip to the base of the container.

The closure member may be of any outer circumferential shape in the preferred embodiment, but the closure member is circular, in which case the outer circumference is annular. The annular groove can be formed and arranged radially inward of the outer periphery in the closure member to receive the base edge of the container.

Suitably, the closure member and its outer rim are shaped to allow any increase in pressure in the second chamber of the outer cavity to press the rim to better engage the base edge of the container.

The containers of the present invention have been specifically developed for use as self-cooling or self-heating containers for beverages. Of course, it is conceivable that the container can be used for any content.

The reactant material is chosen so that the required reaction takes place and can be in any particulate form. However, the structure of the cooling or heating means is particularly suitable when the first reaction material sealed in the first chamber is in the form of powder, particles or other particulates, but the second reaction material in the second chamber is a fluid.

When cooling or heating of the container is required, the container is turned upside down to allow access to the base of the closure member, and then the closure member is pressed against the perforated membrane. This releases the fluid in the second chamber, so that the fluid flows into the first chamber to start the chemical reaction. The use of a second reaction material in fluid form aids in the mixing process.

For self heating containers, for example, quicklime can be filled in the first chamber and water can be kept in the second chamber. Lime is very absorbent and improves the shelf life of the container because lime is sealed from contaminants by sealing it with a breakable membrane in the first chamber.

The destructible membrane can be any material capable of supporting the weight of the material when the container is in the normal upright position and capable of sealing the first reactive material in the first chamber. For example, a breakable film can be formed by a disk of a metal foil fixed to an outer cavity, which extends across the disk.

In a preferred embodiment, the outer cavity is shaped to form an annular flange therein. The disc shaped membrane may be attached to the annular flange after the filling of the first reaction material is completed in the first chamber. For example, the disc shaped breakable membrane can be attached to the annular flange by the carrier member. Alternatively, the outer periphery of the disc shaped breakable membrane can be attached directly to the annular flange.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The present invention will be described below with reference in particular to self-heated beverage containers. However, the containers of the present invention described below may alternatively be arranged to be self-cooled. In fact, as described above, containers are generally used whenever a product needs to be packaged in such a way that the two materials are mixed at the point of use.

The container shown in FIG. 1 may be a beverage container 10 of metal or plastic material having a substantially cylindrical outer circumferential wall 12, one end of which is closed by an upper end member 14. As is known from WO96 / 29255, the base member 16 of the container is indented to form an elongated outer cavity 20 extending into the outer circumferential wall 12. The upper member 14, the base member 16, and the outer circumferential wall 12 of the container together form an inner cavity 22, in which contents such as a beverage are received. The outer cavity 20 extends into this inner cavity 22, but they are separated by the wall of the base member 16.

The container 10 shown in FIG. 1 is constructed with the same external dimensions and shapes as a conventional beverage can. This means that the can 10 can be filled and processed in an existing filling line.

The outer cavity 20 of the can 10 is adapted to be used for including heating means. If the can 10 is a self-heating can, for example, the heating means may be quicklime (calcium oxide) 26 filled in a first chamber in the cavity 20. The second chamber 32 in the cavity 20, separated from the first chamber by the breakable membrane 24, is filled with water. The second chamber 32 is closed by the closure 30.

When the contents of the can 10 are to be heated, the can is inverted and the upper member 14 is erected so that the base of the closure 30 is accessible. When the button at the bottom of the base to be described below is pressed, the long puncture member 42 punctures the membrane 24 and water from the chamber 32 flows into the quicklime 26 to generate an exothermic reaction. . The generated steam is discharged around the outer periphery of the closure 30 through an outlet or recess (not shown) formed on the outer periphery of the closure 30 or on the wall of the cavity 20 or both. The user will keep the can upside down until the discharge of steam is complete. At this stage, the contents of the can will be heated to a satisfactory temperature.

The structure of the heating means is clearly shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

As shown in FIG. 3, the base member 16 is shaped to form one or more annular flanges 34 in the wall of the outer cavity 20. This flange 34 is used to support the breakable membrane 24 such that the outer cavity 20 is divided into a first chamber and a second chamber 32. It will be appreciated that the breakable membrane 24 may be pierceable, rupturable or breakable in a number of ways.

In a preferred embodiment, the breakable film 24 is a disk of metal foil. After the first reaction material, eg quicklime 26 (not shown in FIG. 3) is filled into the first chamber 28, the membrane 24 is positioned in the cavity 20 and annular flanges along the outer periphery. Bonded to or otherwise sealed to 34.

Suitably, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the closure 30 is formed of a plastic material and is integral with the elongated perforation member 42. The closure 30 comprises a substantially circular member with an annular outer rim 36. This rim 36 forms an annular recess 38 which can clip the closure 30 to the base of the can 10. As can be seen in the illustrated embodiment, the free edge of the rim 36 supports an annular projection 40 arranged to engage in an annular groove provided outside of the base edge of the can 10.

For the stability of the connection, the outer periphery region of the closure 30 is made of a thicker material than the central region.

The closure 30 supports the upright elongate perforation member 42 at about the center. In the illustrated embodiment, the puncture member 42 has a cylindrical and pointed free end. However, it is also possible to alternatively provide a number of individual elongated perforated members, for example spikes or barbed forms, which are arranged along the circumference of a circle or some other suitable shape.

The perforation member 42 is fixed to the closure 30 at the center of the button 50 formed in the closure 30 by the annular groove 48.

As can be seen in the state shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the button 50 is convex and positioned radially inward of the annular groove 48.

It can be seen that the quicklime 26 is sealed in the first chamber by the breakable film 24, thereby forming an open second chamber 32. The chamber 32 is then filled with water retained by snapping the closure 30 to a position on the base of the can 10. In this regard, importantly, the chamber 32 is shown to be substantially waterproof in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, with the outer periphery of the closure 30 having an integrally formed seal in the form of an annular elongated wiper 52. It is. Additionally or alternatively, one valve or seal 56 (FIG. 1) arranged to prevent ingress of air from the outside can be incorporated into the outer periphery region of the closure 30. Such a valve is effective for sealing water in the chamber 32 but can also evacuate the chamber.

In this way, the closure 30 can ensure that the chamber 32 is effectively sealed and leaks are prevented during normal transportation and processing. In particular, the membrane 24 is sealed in the quicklime filled with the chamber 28, thereby preventing contamination of the quicklime. This increases the shelf life of the heating means of the can 10.

When the can needs self-heating, the can is reversed as described above. Press button 50. The button 50 is arranged so as to have a hypercenter action in which the button moves from the initial convex dome position to the substantially concave dome position when pressed. Preferably, the button is stable in both states. This movement of the button 50 moves the puncture member 42 in the direction to puncture or destroy the breakable membrane 24. In general, it can be expected that the pressing of the button 50 causes a strong breakdown of the membrane 24 such that the water is quickly discharged into the limestone in the chamber 28 and starts the self-heating reaction. However, since the can 10 is reversed, as long as a slight rupture of the membrane 24 occurs, there may be some failure of the resulting breakdown. In this regard, any rupture in the membrane 24 will result in the flow of water from the chamber 32 to the chamber 28, which inherently tends to ensure a large rupture in the membrane 24.

The reactions that take place in the water and the quickener are necessary to generate steam and to ensure that the air and steam can be discharged from the outer cavity 20. In the illustrated embodiment, the exhaust channel 54 seen in FIG. 2 is provided through the material around the closure 30. It can be seen that the channel 54 opens radially outwardly of the wiper 52 into the outer cavity 20. The wiper 52 thereby prevents the discharge of water but can release air and steam.

The self-heated containers described and shown can be filled in conventional filling lines, and their contents can be subjected to any necessary processing. For example, the contents of the container can be pasteurized and / or sterile. After this, it is simple to provide the heating means to the outer cavity 20 by reversing each completed and filled container. Therefore, the outer cavity 20 is filled with a predetermined amount of quicklime, the breakable membrane 24 is inserted and bonded to the annular flange 34 or otherwise secured by suitable means, and then formed Water is filled into the two chambers and the closure 30 is clipped onto the container 10.

The embodiment described above shows a simple structure, in particular adapted to the heating means, and similar structures can be used for the cooling means. The final can is robust enough to withstand normal transport and handling.

Preferably, the closure 30 is made of a plastic material. Currently the plastic material is preferably translucent or transparent.

If the container 10 is a metal can, then it may be difficult to attach the breakable membrane 24 to the annular flange 34 using, for example, a metal contact. For example, a flange such as 34 formed on a metal can will not be as soft as a plastic material can. Moreover, the metal cans act as metal sinks that take heat away from the adhesive. As a result, it may be difficult to obtain a complete seal between the outer periphery of the membrane 24 and the flange 34. 4 illustrates an embodiment of the invention that can reduce the difficulty of this property.

As shown, in the embodiment of FIG. 4, the breakable membrane 24 is fixed to the carrier 60. Preferably, this carrier 60 is integrally formed of a plastic material and has a cylindrical plug 62 having an annular ring 64 at one end. The outer periphery region of the breakable membrane 24 extends across the carrier because it is attached, bonded or otherwise secured to the annular ring 64. The carrier 60 then assembles with the annular flange 34 so that it plugs in the chamber 28 and the membrane 24 seals the chamber 28. In general, it will be necessary to secure the carrier 60 in place to ensure that the chamber 28 is sealed by the breakable membrane 24 and remains intact. For example, annular ring 64 may be attached or otherwise secured to annular flange 34.

If the carrier 60 is a plastic material and the breakable membrane 24 is a foil disk, it is generally easy to achieve a complete seal between the two members, for example by glueing. It is then only necessary to ensure that the carrier 60 reliably plugs the chamber 28.

The carrier 60 may be a rigid body of plastic material. Alternatively, the structure may be such that the carrier 60 is, for example, semipermeable material or body shape.

It is proposed that the closure and / or the outer surface of the container 10 be made or coated with a material having thermochemical properties. In this way, if the closure is operated to cause self-heating of the can at any time, it is immediately manifested by a change in the color of, for example, a portion of the closure and / or a portion of the container 10.

It is contemplated that improvements or modifications to the described and illustrated embodiments may be made within the scope of this application.

Claims (27)

As self-heating or self-cooling containers, A tubular outer circumferential wall, an upper member for closing one end of the outer circumferential wall, a base member for closing the other end of the outer circumferential wall and an inner cavity for the contents of a container formed in the outer circumferential wall, the base member Indented to form an outer cavity that extends within the outer circumferential wall but separate from the inner cavity, wherein the means for heating or cooling the contents of the container are housed in the outer cavity, wherein the heating or cooling means includes the outer cavity A breakable film that divides the first and second chambers, the first chamber closed by the breakable film in the first chamber and the second chamber closed to retain the second reactive material in the second chamber. The first and second reaction materials by breaking or puncturing a closure member and the breakable membrane Itself comprises a movable perforated means of mixing-heating or self-cooling container. The self-heating or self-cooling container of claim 1, further comprising pressure venting means associated with the closure member and / or the container. The self-heating or self-cooling container of claim 2, wherein one valve or seal is associated with the closure member. A container for facilitating mixing of first and second materials, The container includes a cavity, a breakable film that divides the cavity into first and second chambers, a first material sealed in the first chamber by the breakable film, and a second reactive material in the second chamber. A closing member for closing the second chamber and movable puncturing means capable of mixing the first and second materials by breaking or puncturing the breakable membrane. The container of claim 1, wherein the closure member supports the puncturing means and can destroy or puncture the breakable membrane with the movement of the puncturing means. 6. The container of claim 5, wherein the closure member includes an outer periphery arranged to engage the container and supports at least one elongated perforated member extending from an inner surface of the closure member. 7. The container of claim 6, wherein the elongated perforated members or each is fixed to or integrally formed with an inner surface of the closure member. 8. A container according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the elongated perforated member is mounted on a plunger structure or pushbutton supported in the closure member. 8. The container of claim 7, further comprising hinge means formed in the closure member capable of puncturing the breakable membrane by movement of the puncture member. 7. The container of claim 6, wherein the closure member and the perforation member are formed of a plastic material and the closure member is formed to provide the required movement of the perforation member. 12. The container of claim 10, wherein an elongated perforated member is attached to and stands up from the closure member and is arranged to move the perforated member to perforate the breakable membrane by pressing the closure member adjacent to the perforated member. 12. The container of claim 11, wherein the perforated member is arranged approximately in the center of the closure member. The container according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the elongated perforated member is integrally formed with the closure member. The container according to any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the perforation member is mounted on the closure member by a button formed in the closure member, and the button is integrally molded with the closure member. 15. The container of claim 14, wherein the button is formed by an annular groove and has a dome shape. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the closure member is arranged to close the outer cavity of the container by clipping on the base of the container. 17. The container of claim 16, wherein the closure member is provided with an outer circumference that is suitably shaped to clip to the base of the container. 18. The container of claim 17, wherein the closure member is circular, the outer circumference of the closure member is annular, and the annular groove is formed radially outwardly of the circumference within the closure member and is arranged to receive the base edge of the container. Container. 19. The method of claim 17 or 18, wherein the closure member and the outer rim of the closure member allow any increase in pressure in the second chamber of the outer cavity to press the rim to better engage the base edge of the container. The container which is in the shape to do. The container of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first reactive material sealed in the first chamber is in the form of powder, particles, other particulates, and the second reactive material in the second chamber is a fluid. The method of claim 1, wherein the breakable membrane is formed of any material capable of sealing the first reactive material in the first chamber and capable of supporting the weight of the material when the container is in a normal upright position. Container. 22. The container of claim 21, wherein the breakable membrane is formed by a disk of metal foil fixed to the outer cavity and extending across the outer cavity. 23. The method of claim 21 or 22, wherein the outer cavity is shaped to form an annular flange, and the disc shaped fractureable film is attached to the annular flange after the filling of the first reactive material is filled in the first chamber. Container. 24. The container of claim 23, wherein the disc shaped breakable membrane is attached to the annular flange by a carrier member. 24. The container of claim 23, wherein an outer periphery of the disc shaped destructible membrane is attached directly to the annular flange. Self-heating or self-cooling containers almost as described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Almost the same container as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.