US20130213976A1

US20130213976A1 - Thermal Energy Storage Assembly

Info

Publication number: US20130213976A1
Application number: US13/399,592
Authority: US
Inventors: Jeff Steininger
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Zak Designs Inc
Priority date: 2012-02-17
Filing date: 2012-02-17
Publication date: 2013-08-22
Also published as: CN202508462U

Abstract

A thermal energy storage assembly is described and which includes a supporting collar, which defines an internal passageway and which includes a resilient locking member mounted on one end thereof; a plurality of resilient arms are mounted on the supporting collar and which are operable to locate the supporting collar in spaced relation relative to the mouth of the fluid dispensing vessel, and a thermal energy storage material enclosure matingly couples in a non-detachable fashion with the supporting collar and is operable to be positioned within a fluid dispensing vessel, and wherein the thermal energy storage material enclosure encloses a thermal energy storage material for changing the temperature of a fluid to be dispensed and which is enclosed in the fluid dispensing vessel.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a thermal energy storage assembly, and more particularly, to an apparatus which finds particular utility, and usefulness, in the time-released transfer of thermal energy to various liquid mediums.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Thermal energy storage devices, for use with portable liquid containers or vessels, are well known in the art. Devices of this type have utilized internal cavities formed within a vessel and which was capable of receiving ice, for example for cooling a liquid which surrounded the internal cavity. This is best seen in U.S. Pat. No. 1,576,912 (James). Past devices were advanced with the development of internal cavities which could be removed, filled with a liquid and then frozen. This is seen in U.S. Pat. No. 2,160,165 (Patterson). Additionally, refillable tubes for use in baby bottles have been utilized in the past. This is seen in U.S. Pat. No. 5,456,090 (McCoy).
Such previous prior art devices underwent major advancement with the advent of lightweight materials, commonly used in sports or athletic bottles. These bottles have employed thermal inserts, as seen in U.S. Pat. Nos. to 6,494,056; 6,584,800 B1; and 7,082,784 B2 to name but a few. These references show a thermal energy device which can be removed, refilled, refrozen and then placed within the particular sports or athletic bottle.
While the above prior art teachings have worked with some degree of success, major impediments have been encountered regarding the inability to interchange the thermal energy storage device from one type of liquid storage container and utilize it with another. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 7,082,784 B2 (Roth), the thermal energy storage device can only be utilized with the consumable beverage container as disclosed within the patent. As such, the consumer is forced to purchase a consumable beverage container, which may not be to the consumer's liking, in order to obtain the convenience of a thermal energy storage device for cooling a particular beverage.
Additionally, as seen in U.S. Pat. No. 7,082,784 B2 (Roth), the majority of the disclosed prior art thermal energy storage devices utilize vents or openings within or near the top of the thermal energy storage device which allows for the passage of the liquid stored within the consumable beverage container to the user. While this arrangement works with some degree of success and seems satisfactory, at first analysis, the use of vents for the passage of the consumable liquid requires the decoupling of the consumable liquid from the thermal energy storage device immediately prior to the consumable liquid being consumed. As such, the cooling effect of the thermal energy storage device is lost, at least in part, prior to the consumable beverage being consumed.
The present invention resolves the perceived shortcomings, noted above, regarding the adaptability of a thermal energy storage device with a variety of portable consumable beverage containers, as well as those problems associated with the decoupling or separation of the consumable beverage from the thermal energy storage device immediately prior to the consumption of the beverage stream. This particularly novel arrangement permits the thermal energy storage device to be used with a portable consumable beverage container of the consumer's choice. Additionally, this particular novel arrangement maintains constant contact between the thermal energy device and the consumable liquid to be cooled until such liquid is consumed by the user.
A thermal energy storage device which avoids the many shortcomings which are associated with the prior art devices utilized, heretofore, is the subject matter of the present patent application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A first aspect of the present invention relates to a thermal energy storage assembly, which includes a supporting collar having opposite ends, and which further defines an internal passageway which extends therethrough, and wherein a resilient locking member is mounted on one end of the supporting collar and which extends inwardly so as to partially occlude the internal passageway. The present invention also includes a plurality of resilient arms which are mounted on the supporting collar and which each have a distal end which matingly engage and cooperate with an inside-facing surface of a mouth of a fluid dispensing vessel, and wherein the resilient arms locate the supporting collar in spaced relation relative to the mouth of the fluid dispensing vessel. The present invention further includes a thermal energy storage material enclosure, which has a first end which cooperatively and matingly couples, in a non-detachable fashion, with the supporting collar, and wherein the resilient locking member engages the thermal energy storage material enclosure so as to prohibit the separation thereof, and wherein the thermal energy storage material enclosure, and the resilient locking member substantially occlude the internal passageway of the supporting collar, and wherein the thermal energy material enclosure has an opposite, secondly and an internal cavity, and wherein the second end defines a neck which allows a source of thermal energy storage material to be received within the internal cavity thereof. The present invention further includes a cover which is releasably screwthreadably engageable with the neck of the thermal energy storage material enclosure and which operates to retain the source of thermal energy storage material within the internal cavity thereof.
Another aspect of the present invention relates to a thermal energy storage assembly which includes a supporting collar having a central portion with opposite first and second ends and which further defines an internal passageway which extends therethrough. The internal passageway has a non-uniform cross-sectional dimension. The central portion further has a plurality of resilient locking members which are mounted on the first end of the central portion and which are disposed in spaced relation one relative to the other, and which further converge angularly, inwardly, relative to the internal passageway so as to partially occlude the internal passageway. The respective resilient locking members define a gap therebetween, and which have a given width dimension, and length dimension. The present invention further includes a plurality of resilient arms which are made integral with the second end of the central portion of the supporting collar. Each of the resilient arms have a distal end which individually matingly engage and cooperate with an inside facing surface of a mouth of a fluid dispensing vessel. The respective arms are disposed in predetermined spaced relation relative to the supporting collar, and which individually extend laterally, outwardly, relative to the central portion. A fluid passageway is defined between the respective resilient arms and the inside facing surface of the mouth of the fluid dispensing vessel, and which permits the source of fluid contained within the fluid dispensing vessel to pass therethrough. The present invention includes a thermal energy storage material enclosure having opposite first and second ends, and an elongated main body defining a cavity which receives a source of a thermal energy storage material. The main body has a predetermined cross-sectional dimension, and the first end of the main body defines an engagement member having a cross-sectional dimension which is less than cross-sectional dimension of the main body, and wherein the engagement member is coupled to the elongated main body by a reduced diameter portion which defines a plurality of spaced, longitudinally extending ribs, which each have a width dimension which is greater than the width dimension of the individual gaps as defined between the respective resilient locking members. The engagement member is sized and shaped so as to pass into the internal passageway of the supporting collar by resiliently deforming the respective resilient locking members. The longitudinally extending ribs are oriented so as to be received in the gaps as defined between the resilient locking members. The engagement member, once received in the internal passageway in the manner of a snap-fit, cannot be removed therefrom without damaging the supporting collar. In this arrangement substantially no fluid which is contained within the fluid dispensing vessel can pass therebetween the first end of the main body, and through the internal passageway as defined by the supporting collar. The second end of the main body defines a neck which allows the source of the thermal energy storage material to be delivered into the cavity of the thermal energy storage material enclosure. In the present invention, a cover is provided which is releasably engageable with the neck of the thermal energy storage material enclosure and which retains the thermal energy storage material therein. The thermal energy storage material causes the source of fluid contained within the fluid dispensing vessel to change temperature when the source of fluid comes into contact with the main body of the thermal energy storage material enclosure. These and other aspects of the present invention will be discussed in greater detail hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A preferred embodiment of the invention is described below with reference to the following accompanying drawing:

FIG. 1 is perspective environmental view showing a fluid dispensing vessel with which the present invention is used.

FIG. 2 is a perspective exploded view of the present invention employed with the fluid dispensing vessel as seen in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view of the present invention as seen mounted within a fluid dispensing vessel.

FIG. 4 is a greatly enlarged side elevation view of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal, vertical sectional view taken from a position along line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a greatly enlarged side elevated view of one end of the present invention as it is inserted into a fluid dispensing vessel.

FIG. 7 is a greatly enlarged, side elevation view of one end of the present invention as it is inserted into a fluid dispensing vessel at a time after that seen in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a greatly enlarged, side elevation view of one end of the present invention as it is inserted into a fluid dispensing vessel at a time after that seen in FIG. 2.

FIG. 9 is a greatly enlarged side elevation view of the first end of the thermal energy storage material enclosure which forms a picture of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the support collar which forms a feature of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

This disclosure of the present invention is submitted in furtherance of the constitutional purposes of the United States “to promote the progress of science in useful arts.” Article I, Section 8.
The thermal energy storage assembly of the present invention is generally indicated by the numeral 10 as seen in FIGS. 1 through 10, respectively. As illustrated, the present invention is used in combination with a fluid dispensing vessel or container which is generally indicated by the numeral 11. The fluid dispensing vessel 11 is of conventional design. It has a bottom surface 12, and a continuous sidewall 13, extends upwardly, therefrom, and thereby defines an internal cavity 14 (FIG. 3). The internal cavity 14 is operable to enclose a fluid to be dispensed 15, and which is typically consumed by a user, not shown. The continuous sidewall 13 extends upwardly and terminates at a mouth 16, which directly communicates in fluid flowing relation with the cavity 14. The mouth 16 is defined by an internal-facing surface 20 (FIG. 2), and by an external-facing surface 21 which is threaded, as seen in FIG. 2, and provides a convenient means by which a top 22 can be threadably engaged with the surface 21 in order to completely seal the internal cavity 14 and thereby retain the fluid 15 within the fluid dispensing vessel 11 until it is needed. The top 22 which is provided typically has a removable lid 23, which can be easily displaced by a user, and the fluid 15 may be consumed through the removable lid 23. As will be understood, the mouth 16 provides a convenient means whereby a fluid to be dispensed 15 may be poured therethrough in order to be received and enclosed within the internal cavity 14.
The present invention 10 includes, as one of its features, a supporting collar which is generally indicated by the numeral 30 (FIG. 10). The supporting collar 30 includes a central portion 31 which has a first end 32, and an opposite second end 33. Still further, the central portion 31 is defined by an inside-facing surface 34, and an outside facing surface 35. The supporting collar has an internal passageway 40 defined by the inside facing surface 34, and which extends between the first and second ends 32 and 33 thereof. As seen in the drawings, the internal passageway 40 has a cross-sectional dimension which increases when measured between the first and second ends 32 and 33 thereof. As further understood by a study of the drawings, a plurality of resilient locking members 41 are mounted on the first end 32, and which are disposed in spaced relation, one relative to the others. The individual locking members 41 each converge angularly, inwardly, relative to the internal passageway 40 so as to partially occlude the internal passageway 40. Still further, the plurality of resilient locking member 41 define individual gaps 44 therebetween same which have a given length and width dimension. This feature will be discussed in greater detail hereinafter.
As seen in the drawings (FIG. 2), the thermal energy storage assembly 10 of the present invention includes a plurality of resilient arms 50 which are spaced a given distance apart along the second end 33 of the central portion 31 of the supporting collar 30. More specifically, the plurality of resilient arms have a proximal end 51 which is affixed to the second end 33, and which extend substantially radially, outwardly, therefrom. Additionally, as will be seen in the drawings, the plurality of resilient arms 50 each have a distal end 52 (FIG. 8) which individually matingly and forcibly engage, and cooperate with an inside facing surface 20 of the mouth 16 of the fluid dispensing vessel 11. The respective resilient arms 50 are disposed in substantially equally spaced relation relative to the supporting collar 30 (FIG. 10), and further individually extend laterally outwardly relative to the central portion. In particular, the respective resilient arms 50 (FIG. 4) each have a first course 53, which is mounted on the second end 33 of the central portion 31. The first course extends radially outwardly relative thereto, and terminates in a second course which is generally indicated by the numeral 54. The second course 54 extends generally in a direction towards the first end 32 of the central portion 31, and in diverging relation relative thereto. The second course 54 terminates at a third course 55, and which is made integral with the second course 54, and which extends laterally outwardly relative thereto, and in the general direction of, and in diverging relation relative to, the second end 33 of the supporting collar 30. As seen in the drawings, the third course 55 terminates at a distal end 52, and a protrusion 56 is made integral with the distal end 52, and is able to matingly engage the inside facing surface 20 of the mouth 16 as earlier described. The respective resilient arms 50 can be resiliently compressed in a direction laterally, inwardly, in order to accommodate or be received within the mouth 16 of variously designed fluid dispensing vessels 11. This is seen by reference to FIGS. 6-8 respectively. Consequently, the present thermal energy storage assembly 10 is not confined for use with a specific design of fluid dispensing vessel 11, but can be used in a number of differently designed fluid dispensing vessels, thereby avoiding one of the detriments associated with the individual prior art devices which have been utilized, heretofore. As will be seen from the drawings, the second and third courses 54 and 55, respectively each have an overall length dimension which typically does not exceed about the length dimension of the supporting collar 30. Further, the supporting collar 30 has a predetermined cross-sectional dimension which is generally less than the cross-sectional dimension of the thermal energy storage material enclosure which will be discussed in greater detail, hereinafter.
As best seen in the drawings, the thermal energy storage assembly 10 of the present invention includes a thermal energy storage material enclosure which is generally indicated by the numeral 60. The thermal energy storage material enclosure 60 has a main body 61, having a first end 62 which cooperatively, matingly couples, in a non-detachable fashion, with the supporting collar 30. In this regard, the resilient locking members 41 individually engage the thermal energy storage material enclosure 60 so as to prohibit the separation thereof from the supporting collar 30. The thermal energy storage material enclosure 60, and the respective resilient locking members 41 significantly occlude the internal passageway 40 of the supporting collar 30. Further the thermal energy storage material enclosure 60 has a second end 63. The main body 61 is defined by a continuous sidewall 64, and the second end 63 terminates in a neck 65. The neck 65 defines a passageway. Further, the neck has a threaded outside facing surface 66. A cover 67 is provided, and which threadably releasably mates with the threaded outside facing surface 66, thereby providing a means to seal the neck 65. The neck 65 is coupled in fluid flowing relation relative to the internal cavity 68, and which is defined by the continuous sidewall 64. The internal cavity 68, as provided, is operable to receive a thermal energy storage material 70 therein. The thermal energy storage material to may include water and other similar materials which, when sufficiently chilled for example, move from a liquid, physical state, to a solid physical state, and thereafter provide a means by which the fluid to be dispensed 15, and which is enclosed within the fluid dispensing vessel 11 may have its temperature changed to provide a fluid 15 having an acceptable temperature, and which may be consumed by a user, not shown.
As seen in the drawings, and more specifically by reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, respectively, the thermal energy storage material enclosure 60 includes an engagement member 80 which is made integral with the first end 62 thereof. The engagement member has a cross-sectional dimension which is less than that of the main body 61. The engagement member is further coupled to the elongated main body 61 by a reduced diameter portion 81 which defines a plurality of spaced, longitudinally extending ribs 82, which each have a width dimension which is greater than about the width dimension of the individual gaps 44 as defined between the respective resilient locking members 41. The engagement member 80 is sized and shaped so as to pass into the internal passageway 40 of the supporting collar 30 by resiliently deforming the respective resilient locking members 41. The longitudinally extending ribs, as seen in the drawings 82, are oriented so as to be received in the aforementioned gaps 44, as defined between the resilient locking members 41, and the engagement member 80, once received in the internal passageway 40, in the manner of a snap-fit, cannot be removed therefrom without significantly damaging the supporting collar 30 and/or distorting or breaking the respective resilient locking members 41. In this arrangement, substantially no fluid 15, which is contained within the fluid dispensing vessel 11, can pass therebetween the first end 62 of the main body 61, and through the internal passageway 40 as defined by the supporting collar 30. This snap-fit arrangement causes the first end 62 of the thermal energy storage material closure 60 to substantially completely occlude the internal passageway 40. When coupled to the supporting collar 30, the individual resilient locking members 41 are received in the pockets 83, which are defined therebetween the spaced longitudinally extending ribs 82. When fully assembly as seen in the drawings, the thermal energy storage material enclosure 60, in combination with the collar 30 and the internal facing surface 20 of the mouth 16, defines a plurality of fluid passageways 85, which allows fluid to be dispensed 15 to pass from the internal cavity 14 of the fluid dispensing vessel 11 and be received for consumption at the removable lid 23 thereof. This arrangement permits the fluid 15 to be dispensed to remain in close, intimate contact with the main body 61 of the thermal energy storage material enclosure 60. It should be understood, and prior to use, the thermal energy storage material 70 which is received within the internal cavity 68 of the main body 61 is refrigerated so as to change its physical state to a solid state, and the fluid which is dispensed 15 is changed to given reduced temperature as it remains in intimate contact with the main body 61.

Operation

The operation of the described embodiment of the present invention is believed to be readily apparent and is briefly summarized at this point. As best seen by reference to FIG. 2 and following, a thermal energy storage assembly 10 of the present invention includes a supporting collar 30 having a central portion 31, with opposite first and second ends 32 and 33, respectively, and which further defines an internal passageway 40 which extends therethrough. The internal passageway 40 has a non-uniform cross-sectional dimension (FIG. 10). The central portion further has a plurality of resilient locking members 41, which are mounted on the first end 32 of the central portion 31, and which are disposed in spaced relation one relative to the other, and which further converge angularly, inwardly relative to the internal passageway 40 so as to partially occlude the internal passageway 40. The resilient locking members 41 define a gap 44 therebetween, and which have a given width dimension and length dimension. The present invention 10 includes a plurality of resilient arms 50 which are made integral with the second end 33 of the central portion 31 of the supporting collar 30. Each of the respective resilient arms 50 have a distal end 52, which individually matingly engage, and cooperate with an inside facing surface 20, of a mouth 16 of a fluid dispensing vessel 11. The respective arms 50 are disposed in predetermined spaced relation relative to the supporting collar 30, and which individually extend laterally outwardly relative to the central portion 31. A fluid passageway 85 is defined between the respective resilient arms 50 and the inside-facing surface 20 of the mouth 16 of the fluid dispensing vessel 11, and which permits a source of fluid 15 contained within the fluid dispensing vessel 11 to pass therethrough. The present invention 10 also includes a thermal energy storage material enclosure 60 having opposite first and second ends 62 and 63, respectively, and an elongated main body 61 defining an internal cavity 68, which receives a source of a thermal energy storage material 70. The main body 61 has a predetermined cross-sectional dimension, and the first end 62 of the main body 61 defines an engagement member 80, having a cross-sectional dimension which is less than that of the main body 61. The engagement member 80 is coupled to the elongated main body by a reduced diameter portion 81, which defines a plurality of spaced, longitudinally extending ribs 82, which each have a width dimension which is greater than the width dimension of the individual gaps 44, as defined between the respective resilient locking members 41. The engagement member 80 is sized, and shaped, so as to pass into the internal passageway 40, which is defined by the supporting collar 50, by resiliently deforming the respective resilient locking members 41. The longitudinally extending ribs 82 are oriented so as to be received in the gaps 44 as defined between the resilient locking members 41. The engagement member 80, once received in the internal passageway 40, in the manner of a snap-fit, cannot be removed therefrom without damaging the supporting collar 30. Generally speaking, no significant volumes of fluid 15 which is contained in the fluid dispensing vessel 11 can pass therebetween the first end 62 of the main body 61, and through the internal passageway 40, as defined by the supporting collar 30. The second end 63 of the main body 61 defines a neck 65 which allows the source of the thermal energy storage material 70 to be delivered into the cavity 68 of the thermal energy storage material enclosure 60. As seen in the drawings, a cover 67 is provided, and which is releasably engageable with the neck 65 of the thermal energy storage material enclosure 60. The cover retains the thermal energy storage material 70 therein. The thermal energy storage material 70 causes the source of fluid 15 contained within the fluid dispensing vessel to change temperature when the source of the fluid 15 comes into contact with the main body 61 of the thermal energy storage material enclosure 60. As earlier discussed, the thermal energy storage material 70 may include water and the like. The thermal energy storage material enclosure 60 can, for example, be pre-refrigerated in order to change the thermal energy storage materials phase from a liquid to a solid. The thermal energy storage assembly is then inserted within a given fluid dispensing vessel 11 and the chosen fluid 15 to be dispensed is then chilled, for example, to the given temperature which is suitable for consumption by a user, not shown. As seen in the drawings (FIGS. 6-8), the plurality of resilient arms 50, as provided, locate the supporting collar 30, substantially centrally relative to the mouth 16 of the fluid dispensing vessel 11. The collar 30 is held in place by the biasing force provided by the respective plurality of resilient arms 50. The respective arms 50 are resiliently biased as the supporting collar 30 is pressed into the neck or mouth 16 of the fluid dispensing vessel 11, as seen in FIGS. 6-8.
Therefore, it will be seen that the present invention provides a very convenient means whereby a source of fluid to be consumed by a user using a given fluid dispensing vessel can have its temperature reduced in a manner not possible, heretofore. The present invention provides a convenient means for achieving these objectives in an overall design which is simple in operation and which can be easily cleaned and repeatedly reused, depending upon the needs of a user.
In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural and methodical features. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown and described since the means herein disclosed comprise preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted in accordance with the Doctrine of Equivalents.

Claims

I claim:

1. A thermal energy storage assembly, comprising:

a supporting collar having opposite ends, and which further defines an internal passageway which extends therethrough, and wherein a resilient locking member is mounted on one end of the supporting collar and which extends inwardly so as to partially occlude the internal passageway;

a plurality of resilient arms mounted on the supporting collar and which each have a distal end which matingly engage and cooperate with an inside facing surface of a mouth of a fluid dispensing vessel, and wherein the resilient arms locate the supporting collar in spaced relationship relative to the mouth of the fluid dispensing vessel;

a thermal energy storage material enclosure which has a first end which cooperatively, matingly couples in a non-detachable fashion with the supporting collar, and wherein the resilient locking member engages the thermal energy storage material enclosure so as to prohibit the separation thereof, and wherein the thermal energy storage material enclosure and the resilient locking member substantially occlude the internal passageway of the supporting collar, and wherein the thermal energy storage material enclosure has an opposite second end, and an internal cavity, and wherein the second end defines neck which allows a source of thermal energy storage material to be received within the internal cavity thereof; and

a cover which is releasably engageable with the neck of the thermal energy storage material enclosure and which operates to retain the source of thermal energy storage material within the internal cavity.

2. A thermal energy storage assembly as claimed in claim 1, and wherein the supporting collar has a first and an opposite second end, and wherein the internal passageway extends between the first and second ends, and wherein the internal passageway has a cross sectional dimension which increases when measured between the first and second ends thereof, and wherein the plurality of resilient arms are respectively mounted on the second end, and extend laterally outwardly relative thereto, and wherein the resilient locking member is mounted on the first end.

3. A thermal energy storage assembly as claimed in claim 2, and wherein the respective resilient arms each have a proximal end which is mounted on the second end of the supporting collar, and which are further defined by a first course which is mounted on the second end of the collar and which extend radially outwardly therefrom, a second course made integral with the first course and which extends laterally outwardly relative thereto, and in the direction of, and in diverging relation relative to the first end of the supporting collar, and a third course, which is made integral with the second course, and which extends laterally outwardly relative thereto, and in the direction of, and in diverging relation relative to the second end of the supporting collar, and wherein the distal end of the respective resilient arms are made integral with the third course.

4. A thermal energy storage assembly as claimed in claim 3, and wherein the resilient locking member includes a plurality of spaced resilient locking members which each extend inwardly so as to partially occlude the internal passageway, and wherein a gap of predetermined dimensions is defined between each of the resilient locking members, and wherein an engagement member is made integral with the first end of the thermal energy storage material enclosure and which has a cross sectional dimension which is less than the cross sectional dimension of the internal passageway as measured at the first end of the supporting collar, and wherein the engagement member has a reduced diameter portion defining a channel, and wherein a plurality of spaced, longitudinally extending ribs couple the engagement member with the first end of the thermal energy storage material enclosure, and wherein the ribs have a thickness dimension which is substantially equal to the width dimensions of the respective gaps as defined between the plurality of resilient locking members, and are individually received in the respective gaps when the engagement member is forcibly moved into the internal passageway of the collar.

5. A thermal energy storage assembly as claimed in claim 4, and wherein the first end of the thermal energy storage material enclosure has a predetermined cross sectional dimension and the second end of the supporting collar has a cross sectional dimension which is less than the first end of the thermal energy storage material enclosure; and wherein the second end of the thermal energy storage material enclosure has a cross sectional dimension which is less than the first end thereof.

6. A thermal energy storage assembly as claimed in claim 5, and wherein the cover screwthreadably mates with the neck of the thermal energy storage material enclosure, and wherein the thermal energy storage material is flowable in a first physical state, and which permits the thermal energy storage material to be poured into the neck, and be received in the internal cavity of the thermal energy storage material enclosure, and wherein the thermal energy storage material enclosure is fabricated from a flexible material which allows the thermal energy storage material to expand when the thermal energy storage material is placed into a second, solid state.

7. A thermal energy storage assembly as claimed in claim 6, and wherein, when assembled, the thermal energy storage material enclosure, and the supporting collar define, at least in part, a fluid passageway extending between an internal cavity defined by the fluid dispensing vessel and the mouth of the fluid dispensing vessel, and wherein a source of fluid to be dispensed travels along the fluid passageway and comes into intimate contact with the thermal energy storage material enclosure so that the thermal energy storage material may act upon the fluid so as to change the temperature of the source of fluid.

8. A thermal energy storage assembly as claimed in claim 7, and wherein the source of fluid contained within the fluid dispensing vessel is prohibited from traveling along the internal passageway as defined by the supporting collar.

9. A thermal energy storage assembly as claimed in claim 8, and wherein the thermal energy storage material comprises water.

10. A thermal energy storage assembly comprising:

a supporting collar, having a central portion, with opposite first and second ends, and which further defines an internal passageway which extends therethrough, and wherein the internal passageway has a non-uniform cross-sectional dimension, and wherein the central portion further has a plurality of resilient locking members which are mounted on the first end of the central portion, and which are disposed in spaced relation, one relative to the other, and which further converge angularly, inwardly, relative to the internal passageway so as to partially occlude the internal passageway, and wherein the respective resilient locking members define a gap therebetween, and which have a given width dimension, and length dimension;

a plurality of resilient arms which are made integral with the second end of the central portion of the supporting collar, and wherein each of the resilient arms have a distal end which individually, matingly engage, and cooperate with an inside facing surface of a mouth of a fluid dispensing vessel, and wherein the respective arms are disposed in predetermined, spaced relation relative to the supporting collar, and which individually extend laterally outwardly relative to the central portion, and wherein a fluid passageway is defined between the respective resilient arms, and the inside facing surface of the mouth of the fluid dispensing vessel, and which permits a source of fluid contained within the fluid dispensing vessel to pass therethrough;

a thermal energy storage material enclosure having opposite first and second ends, and an elongated main body defining a cavity which receives a source of a thermal energy storage material, and wherein the main body has a predetermined cross-sectional dimension, and the first end of the main body defines an engagement member having a cross- sectional dimension which is less than that of the main body, and wherein the engagement member is coupled to the elongated main body by a reduced diameter portion which defines a plurality of spaced, longitudinally extending ribs which each have a width dimension which is greater than the width dimension of the individual gaps, as defined between the respective resilient locking members, and wherein the engagement member is sized, and shaped so as to pass into the internal passageway of the supporting collar by resiliently deforming the respective resilient locking members, and wherein the longitudinally extending ribs are oriented so as to be received in the gaps as defined between the resilient locking members, and wherein the engagement member, once received in the internal passageway in the manner of a snap-fit, cannot be removed therefrom without damaging the supporting collar, and wherein substantially no fluid which is contained in the fluid dispensing vessel can pass therebetween the first end of the main body and through the internal passageway as defined by the supporting collar, and wherein the second end of the main body defines a neck which allows the source of the thermal energy storage material to be delivered into the cavity of the thermal energy storage material enclosure; and

a cover which is releasably engageable with the neck of the thermal energy storage material enclosure, and which retains the thermal energy storage material therein, and wherein the thermal energy storage material causes the source of fluid contained within the fluid dispensing vessel to change temperature when the source of fluid comes into contact with the main body of the thermal energy storage material enclosure.

11. A thermal energy storage assembly as claimed in claim 10, and wherein the plurality of resilient arms are substantially U-shaped and have an outside facing surface which individually biasingly engage the inside facing surface of the mouth of the fluid dispensing vessel, and wherein each of the U-shaped arms have a distal end which matingly engages the inside facing surface forming the mouth of the fluid dispensing vessel.

12. A thermal energy storage assembly as claimed in claim 10, and wherein the respective resilient locking members each have a distal end which forms an aperture having a cross sectional dimension which is less than the cross sectional dimension of the internal passageway which is defined by the supporting collar and less than the cross sectional dimension of the engagement member which is made integral with the thermal energy storage material enclosure.

13. A thermal energy storage assembly as claimed in claim 10, and wherein plurality of resilient arms locate the supporting collar substantially centrally relative to the mouth of the fluid dispensing vessel.

14. A thermal energy storage assembly as claimed in claim 10, and wherein supporting collar has an outside facing surface defining an outside diametral dimension, and wherein the thermal energy storage material enclosure has an outside diametral dimension, as measured at a location near the first end, which is greater than outside diametral dimension of the supporting collar.

15. A thermal energy storage assembly as claimed in claim 14, and wherein the outside diametral dimension of the thermal energy storage material enclosure is substantially uniform when measured in a direction extending between the first and second ends thereof.

16. A thermal energy storage assembly as claimed in claim 14, and wherein the outside diametral dimension of the thermal energy storage material enclosure is nonuniform when measured in a direction extending between the first and second ends thereof.

17. A thermal energy storage assembly as claimed in claim 10, and wherein the thermal storage material comprises water which is either in the liquid or solid state.

18. A thermal energy storage assembly as claimed in claim 10, and wherein the cover screwthreadably attaches to the second end of the thermal energy storage material enclosure.

19. A thermal energy storage assembly as claimed in claim 10, and wherein the engagement member is wholly received within the internal passageway which is defined by the collar.