WO2002040929A2 - Ensemble de sorbant sous vide et dispositif de refroidissement - Google Patents

Ensemble de sorbant sous vide et dispositif de refroidissement Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2002040929A2
WO2002040929A2 PCT/US2001/051295 US0151295W WO0240929A2 WO 2002040929 A2 WO2002040929 A2 WO 2002040929A2 US 0151295 W US0151295 W US 0151295W WO 0240929 A2 WO0240929 A2 WO 0240929A2
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
sorbent
cooling device
liquid
beverage
section
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2001/051295
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2002040929A3 (fr
Inventor
Douglas Smith
Original Assignee
Thermal Product Developments, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US09/691,436 external-priority patent/US6438992B1/en
Priority claimed from US09/844,295 external-priority patent/US6474100B1/en
Application filed by Thermal Product Developments, Inc. filed Critical Thermal Product Developments, Inc.
Priority to EP01987582A priority Critical patent/EP1328763B1/fr
Priority to AU2002239784A priority patent/AU2002239784B2/en
Priority to CA002426199A priority patent/CA2426199A1/fr
Priority to AU3978402A priority patent/AU3978402A/xx
Priority to DE60126501T priority patent/DE60126501T2/de
Priority to MXPA03003431A priority patent/MXPA03003431A/es
Publication of WO2002040929A2 publication Critical patent/WO2002040929A2/fr
Publication of WO2002040929A3 publication Critical patent/WO2002040929A3/fr

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B17/00—Sorption machines, plants or systems, operating intermittently, e.g. absorption or adsorption type
    • F25B17/08—Sorption machines, plants or systems, operating intermittently, e.g. absorption or adsorption type the absorbent or adsorbent being a solid, e.g. salt
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D31/00—Other cooling or freezing apparatus
    • F25D31/006—Other cooling or freezing apparatus specially adapted for cooling receptacles, e.g. tanks
    • F25D31/007—Bottles or cans

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to the mechanical arts.
  • the present invention relates to a sorbent assembly for use with sorbent-driven cooling devices.
  • the invention resides in an evacuated sorbent assembly and cooling device that provide advantages over known adsorbent-driven cooling devices in that the invention is easy and inexpensive to manufacture. Also, the invention is compact and lightweight, and has a short vapor path. Additionally, the invention provides effective cooling characteristics.
  • the present invention is embodied in an evacuated sorbent assembly for coupling to a liquid refrigerant reservoir and a cooling device comprised of at least one sorbent section, at least one liquid passageway section, and an actuator.
  • the sorbent section contains a sorbent for a liquid refrigerant.
  • the liquid passageway section is adjacent the sorbent section and defines a liquid passageway through a portion of the evacuated sorbent assembly or cooling device to the sorbent section.
  • the liquid passageway contains wicking material of an amount sufficient to prevent the liquid refrigerant from contacting the sorbent.
  • the actuator controls liquid communication between the liquid passageway section and the liquid refrigerant reservoir.
  • the evacuated sorbent assembly includes a vapor-permeable membrane that separates adjacent sorbent and liquid passageway sections whether or not the liquid passageway section contains wicking material.
  • Embodiments of the cooling device additionally include a liquid refrigerant reservoir, adjacent the liquid passageway section, and a casing that surrounds the sorbent section, the liquid passageway section, the vapor-permeable membrane, the liquid refrigerant reservoir, and the actuator.
  • a heat-removing material which may be a phase-changing material, in thermal contact with the sorbent; at least one liquid barrier between the heat-removing material and the sorbent; and at least one thermal spacer positioned between the sorbent section and the liquid passageway section.
  • the thermal spacer is interposed between the sorbent section and the vapor-permeable membrane. In other embodiments, the thermal spacer is interposed between the vapor-permeable membrane and the liquid passageway section. In another embodiment (FIG.
  • some embodiments include casings made from a flexible material such as a metallicized plastic.
  • a feature of the present invention is that it is compact and lightweight.
  • the invention is designed to fit within a host container, i.e., a beverage container.
  • An additional feature of the invention, related to its compact size, is the short vapor path between the liquid refrigerant reservoir and the sorbent. The vapor path is at most several millimeters.
  • FIG. 1 is a top plan view, partially cut away, of a cooling device in accordance with the invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the cooling device of FIG. 1 showing details of a sorbent chamber and a liquid refrigerant reservoir.
  • FIG. 2B is a sectional view of a first alternative embodiment of a cooling device in accordance with the invention.
  • FIG. 3 is a plan view of a beverage container with the beverage and the cooling device of FIG. 1 shown in phantom.
  • FIG. 4 is a perspective view, partially cut away, of a second alternative embodiment of a cooling device in accordance with the invention.
  • FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the cooling device of FIG. 4.
  • FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a third alternative embodiment of a cooling device in accordance with the invention.
  • FIG. 7 is a perspective view, partially cut away, of a fourth alternative embodiment of a cooling device in accordance with the invention.
  • FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a fifth alternative embodiment of a cooling device in accordance with the invention.
  • FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a sixth alternative embodiment of a cooling device in accordance with the invention.
  • FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a beverage container pouch containing a single cooling device in accordance with the invention.
  • FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view of the front surface and the cooling device of the pouch shown in FIG. 10.
  • FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an alternative beverage container pouch containing two cooling devices in accordance with the invention.
  • FIG. 13 is a cross sectional view of the front surface and the cooling device of the pouch shown in FIG. 12.
  • the word “absorption” refers to the occurrence of a substance (e.g., water vapor) penetrating the inner structure of another (the absorbent).
  • the word “adsorption” refers to the occurrence of a substance (e.g., water vapor) being attracted and held onto the surface of another (the adsorbent).
  • the words “absorption” and “adsorption” include derivatives thereof.
  • the word “sorbent” refers to a material that is either an absorbent and/or an adsorbent.
  • the evacuated sorbent assembly and cooling device is shown in the exemplary drawings. With particular reference to FIGS. 1, 2A and B, there is shown a cooling device 10 housing an evacuated sorbent assembly 12 adjacent a liquid refrigerant reservoir 14, which contains a liquid refrigerant 16.
  • the cooling device includes an evacuable casing 18, with opposing ends 20 and 22, and opposing sides 24 and 26.
  • the casing is substantially impervious to air and moisture so as to provide the cooling device with a suitable shelf-life (to allow for several years of storage/inactivation prior to use).
  • Useful casing materials have an oxygen transmission rate (OTR) preferably less than about 1 cm 3 /m 2 /day, more preferably less than 0.1 cm 3 /m 2 /day, and most preferably less than 0.01 cm 3 /m 2 /day.
  • OTR oxygen transmission rate
  • the vapor transmission rate of useful casing materials is preferably less than about 2 g/m /day, more preferably less than 1 g/m /day, and the most preferably less than about 0.1 g/m /day.
  • the casing 18 is made from a flexible material such as a metallicized plastic laminate or a metal foil plastic laminate. Suitable casing materials include flexible films such as those produced by the Rexam Corporation located in Bedford Park, Illinois, and Toyo Aluminum located in Osaka, Japan.
  • the flexibility of the cooling device allows it to be deformed without losing its performance characteristics. For example, the cooling device may be curled and then placed within a beverage container without any degradation in its cooling abilities.
  • FIGS. 2 A and B A sectional view of the cooling device 10 is shown in FIGS. 2 A and B. Included in the evacuated sorbent assembly 12 are a pair of sorbent sections 28 and 30 in which a sorbent 32 is disposed.
  • the sorbent preferably includes an absorbent material dispersed on, impregnated in, affixed to, or otherwise combined with the porous support material.
  • the porous support material preferably has a high pore volume, and therefore a high surface area, to accommodate the absorption of large amounts of liquid refrigerant 16, in vapor form, by the sorbent.
  • the pore volume is expressed in units of volume per unit mass.
  • the porous support material has a pore volume of at least about 0.8 cc/g, more preferably at least about 1 cc/g, and even more preferably at least about 1.5 cc/g.
  • the average pore diameter is preferably at least about 1 nanometer, and typically in the range from about 1 to about 20 nanometers.
  • the average pore diameter distribution is such that there are very few pores having a diameter of less than about 0.5 nanometers.
  • the porous support material can be selected from virtually any material having the above-identified properties. Preferred materials for the porous support material include activated carbon and silica.
  • the porous support material can come in a variety of shapes and sizes selected for a particular application.
  • the porous support material is comprised of small activated carbon pellets having a size in the range of from about 0.5 to 2 millimeters.
  • the porous support material is silica pellets having a size from about 0.25 to 0.5 millimeters. The size of the pellets can be selected to influence the rate at which the vapor from the liquid refrigerant 16 is absorbed. Larger pellets absorb liquid refrigerant vapor at a slower rate due to increased path length.
  • the absorbent material have a pore volume that is at least about 50 percent of the pore volume of the porous support material, and even more preferably at least about 66 percent of the pore volume of the porous support material. That is, it is preferred that if the pore volume of the porous support material is about 1.5 cc/g, then the pore volume of the absorbent material is preferably no less than about 0.75 cc/g, more preferably no less than about 1.0 cc/g.
  • the absorbent material is preferably capable of absorbing at least about 100 percent of its weight in water, more preferably at least about 150 percent of its weight in water, and even more preferably at least about 200 percent of its weight in water.
  • the amount of water that can be absorbed will also be influenced by the relative humidity and temperature.
  • absorbent material any suitable absorbent material can be used.
  • Representative absorbent materials include salts such as calcium chloride, lithium chloride, lithium bromide, magnesium chloride, calcium nitrate, and potassium fluoride.
  • Other suitable absorbent materials include phosphorous pentoxide, magnesium perchlorate, barium oxide, calcium oxide, calcium sulfate, aluminum oxide, calcium bromide, barium perchlorate, and copper sulfate, zeolite 13x, zeolite 5a, silicalite, silica gel, alumina, carbon, modified carbons and the like.
  • the absorbent material may also contain combinations of two or more of these materials.
  • each sorbent section 28 and 30 Adjacent to each sorbent section 28 and 30 are liquid passageway sections 34 and 36, respectively, defining liquid passageways 38 and 40, respectively, through at least a portion of the evacuated adsorbent assembly 12.
  • a pair of actuators 42 and 44 control the flow of liquid refrigerant 16 from the liquid refrigerant reservoir 14 into the liquid passageway sections.
  • the actuators are mechanically activated.
  • the actuators are pressure activated such that a change in pressure causes the actuators to open and permit communication between the liquid refrigerant reservoir and the liquid passageway sections.
  • a wicking material 46 is placed within the liquid passageway sections 34 and 36.
  • the wicking material draws liquid refrigerant 16 from the liquid refrigerant reservoir 14 and retains the liquid refrigerant for subsequent vaporization and adsorption by the sorbent 32.
  • the wicking material absorbs any vaporized liquid refrigerant in the liquid passageway sections that re-condenses before reaching the sorbent.
  • suitable wicking materials include hydrophilic materials such as microporous metals, porous plastics (polyethylene, polypropylene), cellulose products, sintered heat pipe material, or glass paper, and the like.
  • wicking material 46 is required than is necessary to draw all of the liquid refrigerant 16 to be adsorbed in the evacuated sorbent assembly 12.
  • the wicking material has a pore size sufficient to permit capillary action (the drawing of all the liquid refrigerant from the liquid refrigerant reservoir 14) to occur within 60 seconds, and most preferably, within 10 seconds after actuation.
  • the wicking material 46 provides a direct interface between the liquid refrigerant 16 and the sorbent 32.
  • the wicking material maintains and holds the liquid refrigerant until it is vaporized and later adsorbed by the sorbent.
  • Sufficient wicking material is used so that non- vaporized liquid refrigerant does not directly contact the sorbent.
  • a vapor-permeable membrane 48 separating sorbent sections 28 and 30 and adjacent liquid passageway sections 34 and 36.
  • the vapor-permeable membrane is semi-permeable such that only vaporized liquid refrigerant 16 may pass through it to be adsorbed by the sorbent 32.
  • the vapor-permeable membrane is a substantially flat film that is heat- sealed or sealed by an adhesive so as to encase the sorbent and to prevent liquid from contacting the sorbent within the vapor-permeable membrane.
  • Useful vapor-permeable membranes include semi-permeable films such as films available under the trademark TYNEK® produced by the E.I.
  • the vapor-permeable membrane is not substantially flat, but is corrugated or otherwise shaped so as to increase surface area and thereby the rate at which vaporized liquid refrigerant passes through the membrane.
  • the vapor-permeable membrane 48 may be a hydrophobic coating applied to one or both of the surfaces of the sorbent sections 28 and 30 and the liquid passageway sections 34 and 36 which are facing one another. Suitable hydrophobic coatings include those available under the trademark SCOTCHGARD® produced by 3M, St. Paul, Minnesota. As there can be large temperature differences between the wicking material 46 and the sorbent sections 28 and 30, in some embodiments thermal spacers 56 and 58 are interposed between the sorbent sections and the vapor-permeable membranes 48 or between the sorbent sections and the wicking material. The thermal spacers are utilized to insulate heat generated by the sorbent 32.
  • the thermal spacers have a thermal resistance (thermal conductivity at package conditions divided by thickness) preferably less than 100 W/m 2 K, more preferably less than 50 W/m 2 K, and most
  • the materials utilized for the thermal spacers can be selected from a range of materials known to the art that provide sufficient vapor permeability such as fiberglass, plastic fibers, and plastic foams.
  • an insulating material 71 is placed between the sorbent sections 28 and 30 and adjacent liquid passageway sections 34 and 36 replacing the wicking material 46, thermal spacers 56 and 58, and the vapor-permeable membrane 48 shown in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2 A.
  • the insulating material 71 is chosen to inhibit thermal leakback from the sorbent sections 28 and 30 to the exterior of the device.
  • the insulating material has thermal conductivity limits less than 0.05 W/mK, preferably less than about 0.035 W/mK, and most preferably, less than about 0.025 W/mK.
  • the insulating material 71 has a collapse strength sufficient to resist about one bar uniaxial load, and limit the shrinkage, due to evacuation, to less than about 20%, more preferably less than about 5%, and most preferably less than about 2%.
  • an anisotropic insulating material containing both a hydrophilic region 72 and a hydrophobic region 73 is preferred. Such an insulating material inhibits the passage of liquid refrigerant 16 into the sorbent sections 28 and 30, yet allows the vapor of the liquid refrigerant to pass into the sorbent sections 28 and 30.
  • the hydrophilic region 72 of the insulating material has pores with a relatively large diameter, not less than 10 mm in diameter, on average.
  • the large pores of the hydrophilic region 72 encourage the rapid flow of liquid refrigerant 16 into the material.
  • the hydrophobic region 73 has pores of a relatively small diameter, typically less than about 2 mm in diameter, so that the un-vaporized liquid refrigerant 16 is inhibited from passing into the sorbent section 28 and 30, but rather only the vapor from the liquid refrigerant 16 is directed into the sorbent section 28 and 30.
  • the ratio of the thickness of the hydrophobic region 73 to hydrophilic region 72 is a function of the choice of materials used to form those regions, the quantity of liquid refrigerant 16 in the device, and the desired performance criteria of the device.
  • the insulating material 73 can be formed by laminating a hydrophilic material such as cellulose, paper, non-woven or woven cloth formed from fibers of glass, plastic, ceramic or cellulose, to a hydrophobic material.
  • the hydrophobic material can be made by modifying a hydrophilic material with a hydrophobic agent, such as by impregnating a hydrophilic material with wax or adding a hexamethyldisiliazane or a flourinated reactive group to the hydrophilic material.
  • the insulating material can be formed by surface modification, whereby a sheet of material (either hydrophilic or hydrophobic) is modified to change the surface on one side.
  • a sheet of material either hydrophilic or hydrophobic
  • the surface of one side of a hydrophobic material can be made hydrophilic by exposure to thermal or plasma treatments or by impregnation with surfactants.
  • the surface of a hydrophilic material can be made hydrophobic by treatment with hydrophobing agents or impregnation of wax-like material.
  • the evacuated sorbent assembly 12 can also contain a heat-removing material 50 in thermal contact with the sorbent sections 28 and 30.
  • the heat-removing material is placed adjacent to the surface of the sorbent section(s) opposite the vapor-permeable membrane 48.
  • the heat-removing material is one of three types: (1) a material that undergoes a change of phase when heat is applied (phase-change material); (2) a material that has a heat capacity greater than the sorbent 32; or (3) a material that undergoes an endothermic reaction when brought in contact with a vaporized liquid refrigerant 16.
  • phase-change material a material that undergoes a change of phase when heat is applied
  • a material that has a heat capacity greater than the sorbent 32 or (3) a material that undergoes an endothermic reaction when brought in contact with a vaporized liquid refrigerant 16.
  • the heat-removing material for use in a particular application may vary depending on the sorbent utilized, the thermal insulation, if any, between the phase-
  • Suitable heat-removing materials 50 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, hydrated inorganic salts including Glauber's salt, inorganic salts encapsulated in paraffin, hydrated potassium and sodium sulfate, and hydrated sodium and magnesium acetate.
  • the preferred heat- removing material is an inorganic salt that has been melted and re-solidified to form a monolith (thereby reducing the volume of the heat-removing material by approximately 30%).
  • the heat-removing material 50 removes some of the heat from the sorbent sections 28 and 30 simply through the storage of sensible heat, because the heat-removing material heats up as the sorbent sections heat up, thereby removing heat from the sorbent sections.
  • the most effective heat-removing material typically undergoes a change of phase.
  • a large quantity of heat is absorbed in connection with a phase change (i.e., change from a solid phase to a liquid phase, change from a solid phase to part solid phase and part liquid phase, or change from a liquid phase to a vapor phase).
  • phase change there is typically little change in the temperature of the heat-removing material, despite the relatively substantial amount of heat absorbed to effect the change.
  • phase-change heat-removing material 50 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 sections 28 and 30 upon absorption of a substantial fraction (i.e., one-third or one-quarter) of the liquid refrigerant 16.
  • 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.
  • a phase-change heat-removing material 50 When absorbing heat, a phase-change heat-removing material 50 may generate by- products such as water, aqueous salt solutions, and organics. Therefore, depending on the particular heat-removing material utilized, in some embodiments it is desirable to include liquid barriers 52 and 54, such as polyethlene or polypropylene film, interposed between the sorbent sections 28 and 30, respectively, and the heat-removing material to prevent any by-products from contacting the sorbent 32 (and thereby decreasing its effectiveness).
  • the liquid barriers are heat sealed or adhesively sealed to the heat-removing material.
  • the liquid refrigerant reservoir 14 is positioned immediately adjacent one end 22 of the casing 18.
  • This arrangement provides an advantage over prior art sorbent chambers that typically employ devices with long vapor paths which decrease the effectiveness of the vaporization of the liquid refrigerant 16.
  • the short vapor paths allow the evacuated sorbent assembly 12 to operate at a much higher pressure level than previous sorbent assemblies.
  • the liquid refrigerant reservoir 14 is a plastic 60, typically made of polyethylene, that is filled and heat sealed along its edges 62 enclosing the liquid refrigerant 16. Weakened portions 64 and 66 of the plastic bag serve as pressure sensitive actuators 42 and 44.
  • the liquid refrigerant 16 stored in the liquid refrigerant reservoir 14 has a high vapor pressure at ambient temperature so that a reduction of pressure will produce a high vapor production rate.
  • the liquid refrigerant has a high heat of vaporization.
  • the vapor pressure of the liquid refrigerant at 20°C is typically at least about 9 mm Hg, preferably at least about 15 or 20 mm Hg.
  • Suitable liquid refrigerants include various alcohols, such as methyl alcohol or ethyl alcohol; ketones or aldehydes such as acetone and acetaldehyde; and hydrofluorocarbons such as C318, 114, 21, 11, 114B2, 113, 112, 134A, 141B, and 245FA.
  • the preferred liquid refrigerant is water because it is plentiful and does not pose any environmental problems while providing the desired cooling characteristics.
  • the liquid refrigerant 16 is mixed with an effective quantity of a miscible nucleating agent (or a partial miscible nucleating agent) having a greater vapor pressure than the liquid refrigerant to promote ebullition so that the liquid refrigerant evaporates even more quickly and smoothly, while preventing the liquid refrigerant from super-cooling and thereby decreasing the adsorption rate in the sorbent 32.
  • a miscible nucleating agent or a partial miscible nucleating agent having a greater vapor pressure than the liquid refrigerant to promote ebullition so that the liquid refrigerant evaporates even more quickly and smoothly, while preventing the liquid refrigerant from super-cooling and thereby decreasing the adsorption rate in the sorbent 32.
  • Suitable nucleating agents include ethyl alcohol, acetone, methyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol and isobutyl alcohol, all of which are miscible with water.
  • 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.
  • a solid nucleating agent may be used, such as a conventional boiling stone used in chemical laboratory applications.
  • the vapor-permeable membrane also encases a layer of heat-removing material 50 in thermal contact with the sorbent 32, liquid barriers 52 and 54 interposed between the heat-removing material and the sorbent sections, respectively, and thermal spacers 56 and 58 interposed between the sorbent sections and the liquid passageway sections 34 and 36, respectively.
  • the thermal spacers may be interposed between the sorbent sections and the vapor-permeable membrane or between the vapor- permeable membrane and the liquid passageway sections.
  • insulating material 71 is placed between the sorbent sections and liquid passageway sections 34 and 36.
  • the opposing ends 20 and 22 and at least one of the opposing sides 24 and 26 are heat sealed after evacuation to greater than 1 mm Hg.
  • the casing is sealed with an adhesive.
  • the liquid refrigerant reservoir 14 is a plastic bag 60 with weakened portions 64 and 66
  • external pressure is applied to the casing 18 and liquid refrigerant reservoir. The external pressure ruptures the weakened portions 64 and 66 and releases the liquid refrigerant into the liquid passageways.
  • Liquid refrigerant 16 is introduced into the evacuated adsorbent assembly 12 from the liquid refrigerant reservoir 14 via the liquid passageways 34 and 36.
  • the liquid refrigerant collects in very thin layers among the interstices of the wicking material 46.
  • the vaporized liquid refrigerant then passes through the vapor- permeable membrane 48, and enters the sorbent sections 28 and 30 where the vaporized liquid refrigerant is adsorbed by the sorbent 32.
  • the liquid refrigerant collects in the hydrophilic region of the insulation material.
  • the vaporized refrigerant then passes through the hydrophilic region 73 and absorbent sections 28 and 30.
  • the sorbent adsorbs vaporized liquid refrigerant, the liquid refrigerant collected within the wicking material begins to vaporize and pass through the vapor-permeable membrane into the sorbent.
  • Vaporization of the liquid refrigerant 16 causes a cooling effect on the outside of the cooling device 10 which, as shown in FIG. 3 can be used to cool a beverage 80 in a beverage container 82.
  • Less than 1.5 grams of liquid refrigerant water per fluid ounce of beverage, less than 3 grams of sorbent 32 per fluid ounce of beverage, and less than 5 cubic centimeters of sorbent 32 per fluid ounce of beverage is required to cool the beverage by 22 °C in preferably less than 10 minutes, more preferably less than 5 minutes, and most preferably less than 3 minutes after actuation.
  • the cooling device occupies less than 0.5 fluid ounces per fluid ounce of beverage.
  • the evacuated sorbent assembly 12 and cooling device 10 of the invention may be used as part of a cooling device which may be wrapped around the outer circumference of a beverage container rather than being placed therein.
  • the sorbent assembly need not be symmetrical, but rather, it can be asymmetrical and arranged, for example, such that the layer adjacent the casing 18 is the sorbent section 28, with the next layer being the vapor-permeable membrane 48, and with the final layer being the wicking material 46.
  • the sorbent assembly and cooling device can be arranged in a spherical configuration as shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 6.
  • the liquid refrigerant reservoir 16 is adjacent the length of the evacuated sorbent assembly 12.
  • FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of the present invention where the evacuated sorbent assembly has a polygonal cross-section.
  • two or more evacuated sorbent assemblies are adjacent to a single liquid refrigerant reservoir.
  • FIG. 10 shows a conventional beverage container pouch 80 constructed of a plastic-lined, metallicized material, which is heat-sealable.
  • the pouch has a top end 82, a bottom end 83 formed by panel 84, to create a base for the beverage container pouch, opposing side panels (one shown) 85, and opposing front and back panels, 90 and 92, respectively.
  • a single coolant device 94 is formed as part of, or affixed to the exterior surface of the front panel. In an alternative embodiment, the coolant device may be formed as part of, or affixed to the interior surface of the panel.
  • the coolant device 94 is affixed to the exterior surface 95 of the front panel 92 of the pouch 80 by securing the exterior 95 of the coolant device to the exterior surface of the front panel 90 with the wicking material 46 facing the pouch 80.
  • Adjacent to the interior surface of the affixed coolant device is the liquid passageway 36 containing the wicking material 46.
  • the cooling device casing material is sealed 100 to a portion of the wicking material 46 to form a cavity 102 housing the liquid refrigerant 16 and the liquid refrigerant reservoir 14 including actuator 64.
  • On the other side of the wicking material is a thermal spacer 56, followed by the sorbent material 28, the liquid barrier 52, and, finally, the heat-removing material 50.
  • a weakened region 103 in the pouch forms an area adapted to be punctured by a plastic straw.
  • FIG. 12 shows a conventional beverage container pouch 80 constructed of a plastic-lined, metallicized material, which is heat-sealable.
  • the pouch has a top end 82, a bottom end 83, opposing side panels (one shown), 84, and opposing front and back panels, 90 and 92, respectively.
  • a brace of coolant devices 102 and 104 are formed as part of, or may be affixed to the front and back panels 90 and 92.
  • the coolant devices are formed as part of, or may be affixed to the interior surface of the panels.
  • the coolant device 102 is formed as part of the pouch 80 by constructing a wall of the cooling device from a portion 110 of the front panel 90. Adjacent to the interior surface of the wall 110 of the wall of the coolant device is a capillary membrane 112 that provides a liquid passageway from the liquid refrigerant reservoir 14 throughout the length of the sorbent assembly.
  • the cooling device casing material is sealed 114 to a portion of the capillary membrane 112 material to form a cavity 116 housing the liquid refrigerant reservoir 14 including actuator 64.
  • an insulating material 71 having hydrophilic and hydrophobic surfaces 72 and 73, respectively, followed by the sorbent material 28, the liquid barrier 52, and finally, the heat removing material 50.
  • Embodiments of the cooling device decrease the temperature of a beverage in a beverage container by at least about 12 °C and in some embodiments at least 15 °C or even 20 °C after actuation.
  • the liquid refrigerant reservoir contains less than 1.5 grams of liquid refrigerant per fluid ounce of beverage in the container.
  • the refrigerant liquid is water.
  • the sorbent section has a mass of less than 3 grams of sorbent per fluid ounce of beverage.
  • the cooling device may decrease the beverage temperature in 10 minutes, or only 5 minutes, or even only 3 minutes.
  • the sorbent section occupies less than 5 cubic centimeters per fluid ounce of beverage, and the cooling device occupies less than 0.5 fluid ounces per fluid ounce of a beverage in a beverage container.

Abstract

L"invention concerne un dispositif de refroidissement induit par du sorbant sous vide pouvant être ajouté à un conteneur de boisson ou d"aliment et aussi fixé ou intégré à un panneau de conteneur de boisson.
PCT/US2001/051295 2000-10-18 2001-10-16 Ensemble de sorbant sous vide et dispositif de refroidissement WO2002040929A2 (fr)

Priority Applications (6)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP01987582A EP1328763B1 (fr) 2000-10-18 2001-10-16 Ensemble de sorbant sous vide et dispositif de refroidissement
AU2002239784A AU2002239784B2 (en) 2000-10-18 2001-10-16 Evacuated sorbent assembly and cooling device
CA002426199A CA2426199A1 (fr) 2000-10-18 2001-10-16 Ensemble de sorbant sous vide et dispositif de refroidissement
AU3978402A AU3978402A (en) 2000-10-18 2001-10-16 Evacuated sorbent assembly and cooling device
DE60126501T DE60126501T2 (de) 2000-10-18 2001-10-16 Vakuumsorptionsmittelanordnung und kühleinrichtung
MXPA03003431A MXPA03003431A (es) 2000-10-18 2001-10-16 Montaje de sorbente evacuado y dispositivo de enfriamiento.

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US09/691,436 2000-10-18
US09/691,436 US6438992B1 (en) 2000-10-18 2000-10-18 Evacuated sorbent assembly and cooling device incorporating same
US09/844,295 US6474100B1 (en) 2001-04-25 2001-04-25 Evacuated sorbent assembly and cooling device
US09/844,295 2001-04-25

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WO2002040929A2 true WO2002040929A2 (fr) 2002-05-23
WO2002040929A3 WO2002040929A3 (fr) 2002-09-06

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AT (1) ATE353427T1 (fr)
AU (2) AU2002239784B2 (fr)
CA (1) CA2426199A1 (fr)
DE (1) DE60126501T2 (fr)
MX (1) MXPA03003431A (fr)
WO (1) WO2002040929A2 (fr)

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
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WO2002088608A1 (fr) * 2001-04-25 2002-11-07 Thermal Product Developments, Inc. Procede de fabrication d'un dispositif de refroidissement multicouche auto-refroidissant active par sorption

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US3683889A (en) * 1969-09-16 1972-08-15 Viktoria Hoffman Heating container
NL8502615A (nl) * 1985-09-25 1987-04-16 Elson International Trading B Inrichting omvattende een kunststofzak voor het daarin opnemen van vloeistoffen en een isolerende buitenzak voor het daarin schuiven van de kunststofzak.
US4723974A (en) * 1985-07-26 1988-02-09 Ammerman Stephen W Transporting container for an amputated extremity
US4736599A (en) * 1986-12-12 1988-04-12 Israel Siegel Self cooling and self heating disposable beverage cans
US4771607A (en) * 1986-09-24 1988-09-20 Shinagawa Fuel Co., Ltd. Cooling method and apparatus with soft burnt lime adsorbent
US4974419A (en) * 1988-03-17 1990-12-04 Liquid Co2 Engineering Inc. Apparatus and method for simultaneously heating and cooling separate zones
US4993239A (en) * 1987-07-07 1991-02-19 International Thermal Packaging, Inc. Cooling device with improved waste-heat handling capability
US5088302A (en) * 1990-04-12 1992-02-18 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Portable cooler using chemical reaction
US5168708A (en) * 1991-09-23 1992-12-08 Israel Siegel Disposable and reusable valveless sorption self-cooling and self-heating containers
DE4207857A1 (de) * 1992-03-12 1993-09-16 Bayerische Motoren Werke Ag Verdunstungskaelteanlage mit einer sorptions-energiequelle
WO1999037958A1 (fr) * 1998-01-24 1999-07-29 The University Of Nottingham Dispositif de transfert de chaleur
US5941078A (en) * 1994-05-31 1999-08-24 Insta Heat, Inc. Container with integral module for heating or cooling the contents
WO2000050827A1 (fr) * 1999-02-26 2000-08-31 Tempra Technology, Inc. Preparation de materiaux dissipant la chaleur
WO2001065187A1 (fr) * 2000-03-02 2001-09-07 Tempra Technology Inc. Dispositifs de distribution portables chauffes /refroidis

Patent Citations (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3683889A (en) * 1969-09-16 1972-08-15 Viktoria Hoffman Heating container
US4723974A (en) * 1985-07-26 1988-02-09 Ammerman Stephen W Transporting container for an amputated extremity
NL8502615A (nl) * 1985-09-25 1987-04-16 Elson International Trading B Inrichting omvattende een kunststofzak voor het daarin opnemen van vloeistoffen en een isolerende buitenzak voor het daarin schuiven van de kunststofzak.
US4771607A (en) * 1986-09-24 1988-09-20 Shinagawa Fuel Co., Ltd. Cooling method and apparatus with soft burnt lime adsorbent
US4736599A (en) * 1986-12-12 1988-04-12 Israel Siegel Self cooling and self heating disposable beverage cans
US4993239A (en) * 1987-07-07 1991-02-19 International Thermal Packaging, Inc. Cooling device with improved waste-heat handling capability
US4974419A (en) * 1988-03-17 1990-12-04 Liquid Co2 Engineering Inc. Apparatus and method for simultaneously heating and cooling separate zones
US5088302A (en) * 1990-04-12 1992-02-18 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Portable cooler using chemical reaction
US5168708A (en) * 1991-09-23 1992-12-08 Israel Siegel Disposable and reusable valveless sorption self-cooling and self-heating containers
DE4207857A1 (de) * 1992-03-12 1993-09-16 Bayerische Motoren Werke Ag Verdunstungskaelteanlage mit einer sorptions-energiequelle
US5941078A (en) * 1994-05-31 1999-08-24 Insta Heat, Inc. Container with integral module for heating or cooling the contents
WO1999037958A1 (fr) * 1998-01-24 1999-07-29 The University Of Nottingham Dispositif de transfert de chaleur
WO2000050827A1 (fr) * 1999-02-26 2000-08-31 Tempra Technology, Inc. Preparation de materiaux dissipant la chaleur
WO2001065187A1 (fr) * 2000-03-02 2001-09-07 Tempra Technology Inc. Dispositifs de distribution portables chauffes /refroidis

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2002088608A1 (fr) * 2001-04-25 2002-11-07 Thermal Product Developments, Inc. Procede de fabrication d'un dispositif de refroidissement multicouche auto-refroidissant active par sorption

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MXPA03003431A (es) 2005-01-25
AU2002239784B2 (en) 2007-01-25
CA2426199A1 (fr) 2002-05-23
AU3978402A (en) 2002-05-27
ATE353427T1 (de) 2007-02-15
WO2002040929A3 (fr) 2002-09-06
EP1328763B1 (fr) 2007-02-07
DE60126501D1 (de) 2007-03-22
EP1328763A2 (fr) 2003-07-23
DE60126501T2 (de) 2007-11-29

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