WO2000077462A1

WO2000077462A1 - Pressure responsive valve for use in a self-contained cooling device

Info

Publication number: WO2000077462A1
Application number: PCT/US1999/016110
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hans B. Schieder; Andreas S. Vlahinos
Original assignee: Schieder Hans B; Vlahinos Andreas S
Priority date: 1999-06-11
Filing date: 1999-07-16
Publication date: 2000-12-21
Also published as: AU5106599A

Abstract

A self-contained cooling apparatus (12) to be placed in a beverage container (10) includes a first chamber (16) containing a liquid and within the first chamber (16) a second evacuated chamber (20, 38) containing a sorbent (28). At the top of the second chamber (20, 38) there is an opening (30) constituting a deformable valve seat closed by a valve member (32) part of a diaphragm (34). In a first embodiment the member (32) is kept against the seat by the pressure in a third chamber (36) closed by a plug which dissolves after the container (10) is filled and pressurized; when the container (10) is opened the pressure falls, the valve member (32) pulls away from the seat (30) and the liquid is put in communiction with the sorbent (28) causing the liquid to evaporate thereby cooling the beverage. Other embodiments use a dissolvable member (45, 46, 54) or a deformable bridge (67) to hold the member (32) against the seat (30).

Description

PRESSURE RESPONSIVE VALVE FOR USE IN A SELF-CONTAINED COOLING

DEVICE

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to the mechanical arts. In particular, the present invention relates to self-contained beverage coolers which may be activated upon demand via a pressure responsive valve.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

There are many beverages that may be stored almost indefinitely at average ambient temperatures of 20°- 25° C, but require cooling immediately before consumption. In general, the cooling of these beverages is accomplished by electrically-run refrigeration units. The use of these units to cool such beverages is not always practical, because refrigerators generally require a source of electricity, they are not in many cases portable, and they do not cool the beverage within a desired time frame.

An alternative method for providing cooled materials on demand is to use portable insulated containers. However, these containers function merely to maintain the previous temperature of the beverage placed inside them, or they require the use of ice cubes to provide the desired cooling effect. When used in conjunction with ice, insulated containers are much more bulky and heavy than the beverage. Moreover, in many locations, ice may not be readily available when the cooling action is required.

Ice cubes have also been used independently to cool beverages rapidly. However, use of ice independently for cooling is often undesirable because ice may be stored only for limited periods above 0 ° C and when mixed directly with the beverage to be cooled and can negatively affect the overall composition of the drink. Moreover, ice may not be available when the cooling action is desired.

Most attempts to build a self-contained, miniaturized cooling device have depended on the use of a refrigerant liquid stored at a pressure above atmospheric pressure, so that the refrigerant vapor could be released directly to the atmosphere. Unfortunately, many available refrigerant liquids have serious drawbacks when used to cool beverages. For example, the liquids are either flammable, toxic, harmful to the environment, or exist in liquid form at such high pressures that they represent an explosion hazard in quantities suitable for the intended purpose. Conversely, other available refrigerant liquids acceptable for discharge into the atmosphere (such as carbon dioxide) have relatively low heat capacities and latent heats of vaporization necessitating larger devices. As a result, cooling devices releasing carbon dioxide are bulkier than is commercially acceptable for a self-contained device.

The prior art discloses numerous disposable beverage containers having various types of self-contained cooling devices therein. However, most cooling devices have thus far been unduly complicated and expensive. One reason for the complexity of each of the devices has been the need to construct a mechanism to activate the cooling process upon demand. To accomplish this task, the prior art utilizes various ways of attaching the cooling device to the flip-top tab portion of the beverage container. Such a construction compromises the effectiveness of the cooling apparatus and seriously limits the type of cooling devices which may be incorporated into beverage containers.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,911,740 discloses a self-contained cooling device in which a cooling effect is produced by causing a refrigerant liquid to evaporate under reduced pressure in a first sealed chamber and in the process absorb heat from its surroundings. The resulting refrigerant vapor is then adsorbed or absorbed by a desiccant housed in a second, separate chamber. To achieve an effective cooling action, both the evaporative housing and the desiccant or sorbent housing must be maintained at a vacuum pressure level. The desiccant housing, in particular must have a substantial vacuum condition.

A critical element is the pressure activated valve that separates the two chambers. The valve disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,911,740 includes a valve seat and a sealed pressurized chamber, a portion of which comprises a flexible diaphragm biased into a first position against the valve seat by the pressure in the chamber, thereby closing the valve. A dissolvable plug is in communication with the pressurized chamber for compromising the seal of the chamber upon the plug's dissolution, after which the diaphragm moves into a second position away from the valve seat upon the release of pressure from the chamber thereby opening the valve.

However, there remains a definite need for pressure-activated valves having improved reliability and improved sealing properties, for use in self-contained cooling devices for beverage containers, especially for pressure-active valves that are simple and inexpensive to construct. The present invention satisfies these and other needs and provides further related advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a self contained cooling apparatus in a pressurized host container comprising a first chamber containing a vaporizable liquid, a second evacuated chamber containing a sorbent for the liquid, the second chamber being contained within the first chamber, a valve movable from an open position to a closed position, a deformable valve seat, and a biasing agent positioning the valve on the valve seat to prevent communication between the first chamber and the second chamber until a predetermined condition is met thereby opening the valve to allow communication between the first chamber and the second chamber thereby permitting the liquid to vaporize and permitting the vapor to pass into the sorbent whereby the evaporation of said liquid serves to cool the first chamber.

More specifically, the present invention comprises a temperature changing device which is immersed in a liquid and operates physically unattached to a pressurized liquid filled host container or aluminum can. The temperature changing device is a self-contained unit having at least two separated chambers, the first containing an evaporant liquid at low pressure to be adsorbed or absorbed by a sorbent or desiccant and the second being substantially evacuated and containing that sorbent or desiccant. When communication between the two chambers is established, there is a drop in pressure in the first chamber because of the evacuated condition in the second chamber. The drop in pressure causes the liquid in the first chamber to boil and vaporize. This liquid-to-gas vapor phase change results in the removal of heat equal to the latent heat of vaporization of the evaporated liquid from the first chamber, thereby cooling the first chamber. This reaction in turn cools the exterior wall of the first chamber which is in contact with the beverage, thereby cooling the beverage.

Adequate cooling characteristics, however, require that the problems referred to above are sufficiently addressed. To assure that the desiccant chamber is sufficiently evacuated, the desiccant used should be activated. Alternatively, a suitable phase change material may be included with the desiccant as an additional heat absorber. In order to avoid unwanted freezing associated with too rapid a heat transfer over a certain area and to provide a continuous supply of water or other liquid to be evaporated, it is desirable to coat the inner wall of the evaporative chamber with a sintered heat pipe material or micropore material which will keep a substantial amount of the liquid (water) entrained in the wall.

Another way of aiding heat transfer from the beverage to the evaporative chamber is by placing fins on the outside of the evaporative chamber.

To activate the cooling process, the user merely opens a flip-top tab, or other opening device which releases the pressure from within the beverage container so that a pressure responsive valve opens communication between the two separated chambers. In some embodiments, the invention uses a valve which comprises a valve seat formed as a port in a wall of the chamber containing the desiccant and a valve member that is part of a diaphragm forming a wall of a sealed pressurized chamber whereby the pressure in the chamber forces the diaphragm and the valve member against the valve seat thereby closing the valve. A dissolvable plug is placed within a wall of the pressurized chamber for compromising the seal of the chamber upon the plug's dissolution. After the temperature changing device is placed in the host container and the host container is filled and pressurized, the dissolvable plug will dissolve. The pressure resulting from the sealing of the host container is greater than that of the pressurized chamber thus keeping the valve closed in the absence of the dissolvable plug. When the pull-tab is opened releasing the pressure from the host container and the chamber, the diaphragm which has a built-in memory such that it tends to move into a second position, moves away from the valve seat, thereby opening the valve. Thereafter, the evaporant liquid flashes into vapor which is free to be absorbed by the sorbent and the cooling process begins. The valve disclosed herein may be used with many other prior art self cooling, pressurized containers (/^'. e. , such as beverage cans), containing a reservoir of pressurized gas (like C02) that is released to cool the contents of the can.

In other embodiments, the diaphragm also has a built in memory which causes it to want to move to a valve opening position. The diaphragm is held closed by either a dissolvable member which is secured in position by a bridge extending over the diaphragm, or a spring-like member which is held in a bowed or bent configuration against the diaphragm by a dissolvable member. When the dissolvable member dissolves, the spring-like member straightens out releasing the pressure on the diaphragm which then moves to its normal position, opening the valve.

In other embodiments, the valve member sits on a valve strait which extends substantially complementary to the valve member. The valve strait has a central opening and its overall configuration provides a greater level of contact with the valve member to further seal the two chambers when the valve member is in a closed position.

In one application, the plug is made from a sugar compound. For another application, it may be made from dissolvable salts or other water-soluble material (e.g., phosphoric acid).

In a further embodiment, the diaphragm also has a built in memory which causes it to want to move to an open valve position. The diaphragm is held displaced by a bridge made from an elastic metal with a memory twisted ninety degrees. When the beverage container is filled with the beverage and sealed, the pressure on the diaphragm acts to further push it downwards whereupon the twisted bridge loses contact with the diaphragm and returns to its normal non-twisted arrangement.

Though the temperature changing devices herein are disclosed in conjunction with a beverage container, it will be understood that they can be applied to any container whose contents are under a pressure different from atmospheric pressure, including evacuated chambers.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a beverage host container with a self-contained pressurized cooling device shown in phantom;

FIG.2 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view showing details of the cooling device shown in FIG. 1 with the valve in open position;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a further enlarged fragmentary view of the valve structure of FIG. 2 showing the valve in closed position;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of valve operating mechanism used in the cooling device of FIG. 2 taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view, partly in phantom, of the valve structure of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of valve operation mechanism used in the cooling device of FIG. 2 taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view, partly in phantom, of the valve structure of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a fourth embodiment of valve operation mechanism used in the cooling system of FIG. 2;

FIG. 10 is a top plan view, partly in phantom, of the valve structure of FIG. 9 taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 9; and

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a fourth embodiment of valve operation mechanism used in the cooling system of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

To exemplify the device in accordance with the invention, the following description may concentrate primarily on a pressure responsive valve for use in a self-contained cooling device placed within a soda or beer can. It should be readily apparent to the skilled artisan that the description, with little modification, might also apply to any other pressurized systems where it is desirable to open a valve in response to a reduction of pressure. Further, there can be modifications in the equipment used to accommodate other systems.

FIG. 1 shows a typical pressurized beverage host container 10 commonly made from aluminum or stainless steel that is used to contain a beverage such as beer, soda, seltzer water, or other carbonated or pressurized drinks. Typically, the pressure within such containers when sealed ranges from 35 psi to 95 psi. The standard 12 ounce soda and beer can is 4 3/4 inches high with a diameter of 2 5/8 inches at its widest point and the standard 16 ounce beer can is 6 'Λ inches high with a diameter of 2 5/8 inches at its widest point.

The host container 10 is opened by means of a flip-top or releasable tab (not shown) which is flipped or pulled off to provide an opening. When the container is opened as described, the pressure from within the container is released.

A self-contained, pressure-activated cooling device, generally at numeral 12, is shown within host container 10. Although the device shown is generally cylindrical, it may be of any suitable shape so long as it has substantial surface area to remove heat from the beverage.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view of the cooling device 12 which includes a cylindrical housing 16. The cylindrical housing 16 is closed at the top and includes a bottom closure member 18 welded or otherwise sealed to the lower end of the housing 16. Member 18 includes a raised conical portion 19 which serves to locate and center a substantially evacuated internal cylindrical housing 20. Within internal housing 20 is a cylindrical wall 22 having a substantial number of perforations 24. Situated between the inside of internal housing 20 and the outside of wall 22 is an annular chamber 26. At the upper end of the internal housing 20 is a smoothly curved opening 30.

Aligned with opening 30 is a shallow conical deformation constituting a valve member 32 formed in a diaphragm 34. The diaphragm 34 separates cylindrical housing 16 into an upper chamber 36 and a lower chamber 38.

Lower chamber 38 contains a refrigerant liquid 40 and is substantially evacuated. Suitable refrigerant liquids used in the present invention have a high vapor pressure at ambient temperature so that a reduction of pressure will produce a high vapor production rate. The vapor pressure of the liquid at 20°C is preferably at least about 9mm Hg, and more preferably is at least about 15 or 20 mm Hg. Suitable refrigerant liquids include: various alcohols, such as methyl alcohol or ethyl alcohol; ketones or aldehydes such as acetone and acetaldehyde; water and freons such as freon C318, 114, 21, 11, 114B2, 113 and 112. The preferred liquid is water.

In some embodiments, the refrigerant liquid is mixed with an effective quantity of a miscible nucleating agent having a greater vapor pressure than the liquid to promote ebullition so that the liquid evaporates even more quickly and smoothly, while preventing the liquid from super-cooling. Suitable nucleating agents include ethyl alcohol, acetone, methyl alcohol, propyl alcohol and isobutyl alcohol, all of which are miscible with water. For example, a combination of a nucleating agent with a compatible liquid might be a combination of 5% ethyl alcohol in water or 5% acetone in methyl alcohol. The nucleating agent preferably has a vapor pressure at 25°C of at least about 25 mm Hg and, more preferably, at least about 35 mm Hg. Alternatively, solid nucleating agents may be used, such as conventional boiling stones used in chemical laboratory applications.

The portion of the cylindrical housing 16 forming lower chamber 38 further includes an inner coating of wicking material 39 for drawing and maintaining a desired amount of water or other suitable refrigerant liquid 40 in contact with the inner surface of the cylindrical housing. Preferred wicking materials include microporous metals or other hygroscopic materials, such as sintered heat pipe material or glass paper.

The refrigerant liquid 40 collects in very thin layers among the interstices of the microporous or sintered heat pipe wicking material 39. This arrangement through the capillary action provided by the wicking material 39, spreads much of the refrigerant liquid 40 over a comparatively large area. Consequently, a substantial amount of the refrigerant liquid is instantly exposed to the subsequent drop in pressure when the valve is opened causing the refrigerant liquid to flash into vapor. After the initial drop in pressure, the remaining refrigerant liquid 40 continues to migrate into the wicking material 39 resulting in further vaporization, thereby producing a cooling effect on the outside of the lower chamber 38.

As best seen in FIG. 3, to enhance the heat transfer qualities of the cooling device 12, and thus the cooling effect therefore provided, a plurality of fins 14 is secured to the outer surface of the cylindrical housing 16, and may additionally be coated with a wicking material 39.

Before sealing, annular chamber 26 is filled with appropriate materials including a sorbent or desiccant 28, preferably commingled with a heat-removing material 29 (not shown). The liquid and the sorbent must be complimentary (i.e. the sorbent must be capable of absorbing or adsorbing the vapor produced by the liquid), and suitable choices for these components are any combination that provides for rapid beverage cooling, is compact, and meets all applicable government safety standards.

The sorbent material preferably absorbs or adsorbs all the vapor produced by the liquid, while complying with all applicable government safety standards. Suitable sorbents include: barium oxide, magnesium perchlorate, calcium sulfate, calcium oxide, activated carbon, calcium chloride, glycerine silica gel, alumina gel, calcium hydride, phosphoric anhydride, phosphoric acid, potassium hydroxide, and sodium sulfate.

The heat-removing material is one of three types: (1) a material that undergoes a change of phase when heat is applied; (2) a material that has a heat capacity greater than the sorbent; or (3) a material that undergoes an endothermic reaction when brought in contact with the liquid refrigerant. Suitable phase change materials include: paraffin, naphthalene sulphur, hydrated calcium chloride, bromocamphor, cetyl alcohol, cyanamide, eleudic acid, lauric acid, hydrated calcium silicate, sodium thiosulfate pentahydrate, disodium phosphate, hydrated sodium carbonate, hydrated calcium nitrate, neopentyl glycol, Glauber's salt, potassium, sodium and magnesium acetate.

The phase change materials remove some of the heat from the sorbent material simply through storage of sensible heat because the phase change materials heat up as the sorbent heats up, removing heat from the sorbent. However, the most effective function of the phase change- materials is in the phase change itself. An extremely large quantity of heat is absorbed in connection with the phase change (i.e. change from a solid phase to a liquid phase, or change from a liquid phase to a vapor phase). During the phase change, there is typically little change in the temperature of the phase change materials, despite the relatively substantial amount of heat required to effect the change, which heat is absorbed during the change.

Another requirement of any of utilized phase change materials is that it change phase at a temperature greater than the expected ambient temperature of the material to be cooled, but less than the temperature achieved by the sorbent material upon absorption of a substantial fraction (i.e. one-third or one-quarter) of the refrigerant liquid. Thus, for example, in the cooling devices according to the present invention, the phase change should take place at a temperature above about 30°C, preferably above about 35°C but preferably below about 70°C, and most preferably below about 60°C. To seal annular chamber 26, the upper chamber 36 is pressurized to a predetermined value at about the same or a somewhat lower pressure than the ultimate pressure of the beverage in the sealed container 10. The resulting pressure load forces valve member 32 against opening 30. A small port 42 in the side of chamber 36 provides the host container 10 access to chamber 36. After chamber 36 is pressurized, port 42 is sealed with a plug made from either hardened sugar, dissolvable salts or similar dissolvable, ingestible material to maintain the desired pressure level. The dissolvable materials used to plug port 42 must be compatible with the beverage or other material placed within container 10.

Subsequent to filling, sealing and pressurizing the container 10, the beverage in the container 10 contacts the dissolvable plug in port 42. This contact acts to dissolve the plug resulting in generally equalizing the pressure of the carbonated beverage in container 10 with the pressure level in chamber 36. Because the beverage pressure is somewhat higher than the pressure in chamber 36, valve member 32 remains firmly seated against opening 30.

FIG.4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the top of FIG.2 , but it illustrates the cooling device after chamber 36 has been pressurized so that valve member 32 closed. When valve member 32 is closed, the pressure in chamber 36, which is significantly above atmospheric pressure, exerts a force on diaphragm 34 causing the valve member 32 to be firmly seated on the curved surface of the smoothly radiused opening 30. This pressurized condition prevents refrigerant liquid 40 in chamber 38 from reaching the evacuated chamber 26 containing the sorbent or desiccant 28. Preferably, the assembled cooling device 12 containing refrigerant liquid 40 and desiccant 28 along with a heat-removing material is installed in container 10 just prior to its filling with a beverage and sealing with a lid having a flip-top or releasable tab.

When it is desired to consume the beverage in container 10, the flip top or releasable tab is actuated and the pressure in container 10, and thus the pressure in upper chamber 36 is released. The release of pressure causes diaphragm 34 to move to its relaxed or open position, as shown in FIG. 2. This open position allows fluid communication between chambers 38 and 26 causing a drop in pressure in chamber 38 due to the evacuated condition of chamber 26. The pressure drop in chamber 38 upon opening the container 10 causes the liquid 40 to boil at ambient temperature. The liquid-to-gas phase change can occur only if the liquid 40 removes heat equal to the latent heat of vaporization of the evaporated liquid 40 from chamber 38 which would result in the cooling of chamber 38. The cooled chamber 38, in turn, removes heat from its surrounding material including the outside wall of chamber 38 which is in contact with the beverage in container 10. The beverage is thereby cooled and ready for consumption.

A second embodiment of the valve operating mechanism is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. In these drawings, identical parts are given the same numerals as in FIGS. 1-4. In this embodiment, pressurized chamber 36 is replaced by a bridge 44, so that the beverage directly contacts the top of diaphragm 34 . It is the pressurized beverage that provide the pressure load necessary to force the bridge 44 against valve member 32 thus causing the valve member to be firmly seated on the curved surface of the smoothly radiused opening 30.

Wedged between bridge 44 and valve member 32 is a generally cylindrical column 45 made up of hardened sugar, dissolvable salt or similar dissolvable, ingestible material. During assembly of the cooling device 12, column 45 is wedged between bridge 44 and valve member 32, to displace diaphragm 34 in its lower position thereby closing valve member 32 tightly against opening 30.

The cooling device 12 can remain in this configuration indefinitely until it is placed in the pressurized beverage filled container 10. After being exposed to the beverage, cylinder 46 dissolves, but diaphragm 34 remains in its downward position due to the pressure load created by the pressurized beverage. When container 10 is opened, the pressure within drops whereby diaphragm 34 returns to its normal position and carries valve member 32 to an open position. The open valve member 32 position provides communication between chamber 38 and chamber 26 causing the beverage to cool.

A third embodiment is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. Again, identical parts have been given identical numerals. To minimize the amount of dissolvable material such as sugar or salt, portion 46 has been replaced by a single leaf spring 50 secured to the underside of bridge 44. Spring 50 has a memory such that it wants to straighten out, but is held in a bowed configuration against diaphragm 34. Spring 50 is bowed as a result of being restrained between its attachment to bridge 44 (by weld or rivet) on one end and a dissolvable latch or plug 54 firmly secured to the lower side of bridge 44. Valve member 32 is thereby held closed against opening 30 when spring 50 is bent. As shown, latch 54 is in the form of a pin extending through bridge 44, but it may also be a simple abutment secured to bridge 44 restraining the end of spring 50. Since spring 50 is restrained by latch 54 of sugar or salt, it needs to be only strong enough to displace diaphragm 34 in its lower position. Plug or abutment 54 must be large enough to withstand shear forces from spring 50 over a period of time typically associated with rough handling. Once the dissolvable plug or abutment has dissolved, leaf spring 50 straightens, releasing diaphragm 34 which, at that point continues to be held in its lower position holding valve 32 closed because of the pressure in the host container 10. Opening container 10 releases the pressure permitting diaphragm 34 to return to its normal position thereby opening valve 32.

A fourth embodiment shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 is a modification of the above described second embodiment. Again, identical parts have been given identical numerals and FIG. 10 is a sectional view through the valve similar to FIGS. 4 and 5. Replacing bridge 44 is a new bridge 67 which from the top view seen in FIG. 9 is generally rectangular with a triangular projection 69 extending therefrom. The bridge 67 is made from an elastic metal, such as phosphor bronze, and is pictured in FIG. 9, in its normal state. The bridge 67 further has a memory whereas it returns to its normal state after deformation. With reference to FIG. 10, during assembly of the cooling device 12, and after all of the substances have been placed within the appropriate chambers, the bridge 67 is mechanically torsionally twisted approximately ninety degrees such that it contacts and biases diaphragm 34 to force valve 32 to close opening 30. When host container 10 is filled with liquid and during the sealing process, the pressure applied to the diaphragm 34 causes valve 32 to further extend valve 32 into the opening 30 while still preventing communication between the various chambers. The further downward movement of the diaphragm 34 frees bridge 67 whereupon it returns to its normal state (see FIG. 9) such that it no longer impedes upwards movement of the diaphragm 34. Opening container 10 releases the pressure forcing diaphragm 34 to seal opening 30 resulting in the cooling of the beverage.

A fifth embodiment as seen in FIG. 11 is a modification of the above described first embodiment. Again, identical parts have been given identical numerals. FIG.11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the top of FIG.2 , but it illustrates the cooling device with valve member 32 closed. Replacing the opening 30 is a valve strait 73 extending substantially complementary to the valve member 32 with a central opening to increase the contact surface area that the valve member sits on to further the sealing between the two chambers. A dissolvable portion 46 as seen in the second embodiment in FIG.5 is employed to displace diaphragm 34 such that valve member 32 is in a closed position.

After being exposed to the beverage, portion 46 dissolves, but diaphragm 34 remains in its downward position due to the pressure load created by the pressurized beverage. When container 10 is opened, the pressure within drops whereby diaphragm 34 returns to its normal position and carries valve member 32 to an open position not in contact with valve strait 73. The open valve member 32 position provides communication between chamber 38 and chamber 26 causing the beverage to cool.

Preferably, the cooling device displaces no more than three ounces which would result in an outer housing approximately three inches high and one inch in diameter. The inner housing is approximately 1/4 inch smaller in diameter and 3/8 inch shorter in height.

Although the invention has been described in detail with reference only to the preferred embodiments, those having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that various modifications can be made without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the invention is defined with reference to the following claims.

Claims

1. A self contained cooling apparatus in a pressurized host container comprising: a first chamber containing a vaporizable liquid; a second evacuated chamber containing a sorbent for said liquid, said second chamber being contained within said first chamber; a valve movable from an open position to a closed position; a deformable valve seat; and a biasing agent positioning said valve on said valve seat to prevent communication between said first chamber and said second chamber until a predetermined condition is met thereby opening said valve to allow communication between said first chamber and said second chamber thereby permitting said liquid to vaporize and permitting said vapor to pass into said sorbent whereby the evaporation of said liquid serves to cool said first chamber.

2. The cooling device of claim 1 wherein said biasing agent comprises: a third chamber adjacent to said valve closing said valve when in a pressurized state; and a plug sealing said third chamber until a predetermined condition is met thereby releasing the pressure within said third chamber thereby opening said valve.

3. The cooling device of claim 2 wherein said plug is dissolvable and the predetermined condition is the introduction of liquid into the host container dissolving said plug allowing for an equalization of pressures within the host container and said third chamber.

4. The cooling device of claim 1 wherein said biasing agent comprises: a column made of dissolvable material positioned so as to displace said valve into the closed position until a liquid is introduced into the host container so as to dissolve said column, thereby opening said valve.

5. The cooling device of claim 1 wherein said biasing agent comprises: a spring with a memory; and a latch made of dissolvable material securing said spring in an extended position contacting said valve and displacing said valve in the closed position until a liquid is introduced into said host container so as to dissolve said latch allowing said spring to return to its normal state, thereby allowing said valve to move to the open position.

6. The cooling device of claim 4 or 5 wherein said dissolvable material is sugar.

7. The cooling device of claim 4 or 5 wherein said dissolvable material is salt.

8. The cooling device of claim 1 wherein said biasing agent comprises: a bridge made from elastic material torsionally twistable to displace said valve into a closed position until the pressurized introduction of a liquid into the host container further biases said valve whereupon said bridge will return to its normal state, thereby allowing said valve to move to the open position.

9. The cooling device of claim 1 wherein said vaporizable liquid is water.

10. The cooling device of claim 1 wherein said valve comprises a conical member carried on said diaphragm in alignment with said valve seat.

11. The cooling device of claim 1 wherein said second chamber further contains a phase change material.

12. The cooling device of claim 1 wherein a plurality of fins are attached to said first chamber.

13. A self contained cooling apparatus in a pressurized host container comprising: a first chamber containing a vaporizable liquid; a second evacuated chamber containing a sorbent for said liquid, said second chamber being contained within said first chamber; a valve movable from an open position to a closed position; a column made of dissolvable material positioned so as to displace said valve into the closed position to prevent communication between said first chamber and said second chamber until a liquid is introduced into the host container so as to dissolve said column, thereby opening said valve to allow communication between said first chamber and said second chamber thereby permitting said liquid to vaporize and permitting said vapor to pass into said sorbent whereby the evaporation of said liquid serves to cool said first chamber.

14. The cooling device of claim 13 wherein said dissolvable material is sugar.

15. The cooling device of claim 13 wherein said dissolvable material is salt.

16. The cooling device of claim 13 wherein said vaporizable liquid is water.

17. The cooling device of claim 13 wherein said second chamber further contains a phase change material.

18. The cooling device of claim 13 wherein a plurality of fins are attached to said first chamber.

19. A self contained cooling apparatus in a pressurized host container comprising: a first chamber containing a vaporizable liquid; a second evacuated chamber containing a sorbent for said liquid, said second chamber being contained within said first chamber; a valve movable from an open position to a closed position; a spring with a memory; and a latch made of dissolvable material securing said spring in an extended position contacting said valve so as to displace said valve into the closed position to prevent communication between said first chamber and said second chamber until a liquid is introduced into the host container so as to dissolve said latch, thereby releasing said spring and opening said valve to allow communication between said first chamber and said second chamber thereby permitting said liquid to vaporize and permitting said vapor to pass into said sorbent whereby the evaporation of said liquid serves to cool said first chamber.

20. The cooling device of claim 19 wherein said dissolvable material is sugar.

21. The cooling device of claim 19 wherein said dissolvable material is salt.

22. The cooling device of claim 19 wherein said vaporizable liquid is water.

23. The cooling device of claim 19 wherein said second chamber further contains a phase change material.

24. The cooling device of claim 19 wherein a plurality of fins are attached to said first chamber.

25. A self contained cooling apparatus in a pressurized host container comprising: a first chamber containing a vaporizable liquid; a second evacuated chamber containing a sorbent for said liquid, said second chamber being contained within said first chamber; a valve movable from an open position to a closed position; a bridge made from elastic material torsionally twistable to displace said valve into the closed position to prevent communication between said first chamber and said second chamber until a predetermined condition is met, thereby opening said valve to allow communication between said first chamber and said second chamber thereby permitting said liquid to vaporize and permitting said vapor to pass into said sorbent whereby the evaporation of said liquid serves to cool said first chamber.

26. The cooling device of claim 25 wherein said dissolvable material is sugar.

27. The cooling device of claim 25 wherein said dissolvable material is salt.

28. The cooling device of claim 25 wherein said vaporizable liquid is water.

29. The cooling device of claim 25 wherein said second chamber further contains a phase change material.

30. The cooling device of claim 25 wherein a plurality of fins are attached to said first chamber.

31. A self contained cooling apparatus in a pressurized host container comprising: a first chamber containing a vaporizable liquid; a second evacuated chamber containing a sorbent for said liquid, said second chamber being contained within said first chamber; a valve strait; a valve member movable from an open position to a closed position wherein said valve member substantially contacts said valve strait; and a biasing agent positioning said valve on said valve strait to prevent communication between said first chamber and said second chamber until a predetermined condition is met thereby opening said valve to allow communication between said first chamber and said second chamber thereby permitting said liquid to vaporize and permitting said vapor to pass into said sorbent whereby the evaporation of said liquid serves to cool said first chamber.

32. The cooling device of claim 31 wherein said biasing agent comprises: a third chamber adjacent to said valve closing said valve when in a pressurized state; and a plug sealing said third chamber until a predetermined condition is met thereby releasing the pressure within said third chamber thereby opening said valve.

33. The cooling device of claim 32 wherein said plug is dissolvable and the predetermined condition is the introduction of liquid into the host container dissolving said plug allowing for an equalization of pressures within the host container and said third chamber.

34. The cooling device of claim 31 wherein said biasing agent comprises: a column made of dissolvable material positioned so as to displace said valve into the closed position until a liquid is introduced into the host container so as to dissolve said column, thereby opening said valve.

35. The cooling device of claim 31 wherein said biasing agent comprises: a spring with a memory; and a latch made of dissolvable material securing said spring in an extended position contacting said valve and displacing said valve in the closed position until a liquid is introduced into said host container so as to dissolve said latch allowing said spring to return to its normal state, thereby allowing said valve to move to the open position.

36. The cooling device of claim 34 or 35 wherein said dissolvable material is sugar.

37. The cooling device of claim 34 or 35 wherein said dissolvable material is salt.

38. The cooling device of claim 31 wherein said biasing agent comprises: a bridge made from elastic material torsionally twistable to displace said valve into a closed position until the pressurized introduction of a liquid into the host container further biases said valve whereupon said bridge will return to its normal state, thereby allowing said valve to move to the open position.

39. The cooling device of claim 31 wherein said vaporizable liquid is water.

40. The cooling device of claim 31 wherein said valve comprises a conical member carried on said diaphragm in alignment with said valve seat.

41. The cooling device of claim 31 wherein said second chamber further contains a phase change material.

42. The cooling device of claim 31 wherein a plurality of fins are attached to said first chamber.