WO2007070893A1 - Container for receiving a cartridge for heating or cooling the contents of the container - Google Patents

Container for receiving a cartridge for heating or cooling the contents of the container Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2007070893A1
WO2007070893A1 PCT/ZA2006/000107 ZA2006000107W WO2007070893A1 WO 2007070893 A1 WO2007070893 A1 WO 2007070893A1 ZA 2006000107 W ZA2006000107 W ZA 2006000107W WO 2007070893 A1 WO2007070893 A1 WO 2007070893A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
cartridge
container
cavity
reactant
barrier
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/ZA2006/000107
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Jacques David Beyers
Original Assignee
Jacques David Beyers
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
Application filed by Jacques David Beyers filed Critical Jacques David Beyers
Priority to US12/095,884 priority Critical patent/US20090314667A1/en
Publication of WO2007070893A1 publication Critical patent/WO2007070893A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D81/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
    • B65D81/34—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents for packaging foodstuffs or other articles intended to be cooked or heated within the package
    • B65D81/3484—Packages having self-contained heating means, e.g. heating generated by the reaction of two chemicals
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47J—KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
    • A47J36/00—Parts, details or accessories of cooking-vessels
    • A47J36/24—Warming devices
    • A47J36/2411—Baby bottle warmers; Devices for warming baby food in jars
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47J—KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
    • A47J36/00—Parts, details or accessories of cooking-vessels
    • A47J36/24—Warming devices
    • A47J36/28—Warming devices generating the heat by exothermic reactions, e.g. heat released by the contact of unslaked lime with water
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02W—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO WASTEWATER TREATMENT OR WASTE MANAGEMENT
    • Y02W30/00—Technologies for solid waste management
    • Y02W30/50—Reuse, recycling or recovery technologies
    • Y02W30/80—Packaging reuse or recycling, e.g. of multilayer packaging

Definitions

  • CONTAINER FOR RECEIVING A CARTRIDGE FOR HEATING OR COOLING THE CONTENTS OF THE CONTAINER
  • This invention relates to a container for receiving a cartridge for heating or cooling a beverage or foodstuff located in the container.
  • the invention further relates to a cartridge for use in combination with the container.
  • Containers containing consumables such as coffee, soup, sake, and the like provided with an integral heating unit for heating its contents are known in the art. Examples of such containers are described in US 4,640,264 and US 4,784,111. A further example of such a container can be found in South African patent number 96/8737.
  • the heating unit generally includes two chambers separated by a frangible barrier, wherein one chamber includes water and the other includes a solid reactant. The water and the solid reactant are brought into contact with each other when the barrier is broken.
  • the unit can be located in the container containing the consumables in such a manner that the container must be inverted once the barrier has been broken to permit a user to consume the contents of the container.
  • the heating unit forms part of a base of a container into which the container containing the consumable is inserted to heat or cool it.
  • the container need not be inverted prior to consumption.
  • the main disadvantage of the containers described by the prior art is that the container containing the foodstuff or beverage is not re-usable.
  • the prior art container When the prior art container is purchased, it already contains a particular foodstuff or beverage and a user does not have the option of filling the container with a desired foodstuff or beverage.
  • the inventor therefore believes that a need exists for providing a container configured and dimensioned to receive a cartridge for heating or cooling the contents of the container therein, wherein the container is reusable.
  • Such a container would be particularly useful for providing heated milk, nutrition formula, or the like to infants, toddlers, and small children.
  • the caretaker will typically heat a liquid to be fed to the infant whilst said liquid is in a feeding bottle using, for example, a microwave oven.
  • the temperature to which the bottle and its contents are heated is difficult to regulate and the caretaker will often have to wait some time for the bottle and its contents to cool down prior to being able to feed the infant.
  • Heating the bottle in a microwave usually entails leaving the infant unattended for a couple of minutes, thereby causing distress to an already hungry and uncomfortable infant.
  • the present invention allows a caretaker to heat the contents of a feeding bottle in the presence of the infant and it is unlikely that the contents of the feeding bottle are heated to a temperature above which said contents are too hot to be fed to the infant.
  • a cartridge including:- a first reactant cavity for containing a first reactant; a second reactant cavity for containing a second reactant, which second reactant cavity is in an operative condition located below the first reactant cavity; a frangible barrier separating the first and second reactant cavities; a flexible member defined at an end of the first reactant cavity remote the barrier, the member having a receiving formation on an inner surface thereof for receiving an end of an elongate member therein, which elongate member extends towards the barrier; one or more openings located in an operatively upper region of the second reactant cavity; and wherein in use, the integrity of the barrier is disrupted by a force acting on an outer surface of the flexible member to displace it towards the barrier, thereby causing the elongate member to disrupt the integrity of the barrier and permitting the first and second reactants to react with each other.
  • the cartridge may include one or more flap formations configured and dimensioned to overlay the openings.
  • the second reactant cavity may have two openings and two flap formations.
  • the flap formations may be hingedly mounted on the outer surface of the second reactant cavity so as to overlay the openings.
  • the cartridge may include one or more channels defined in an outer surface of the second reactant cavity extending from the openings towards a free end of the cartridge.
  • the flap formations may be displaced into an open condition to permit the gases to exit the second reactant cavity.
  • the gases exit the openings they may be guided towards the free end of the cartridge by the channels.
  • reaction resulting when the first and second reactants react with each other may be exothermic or endothermic.
  • the first reactant may be a fluid.
  • the fluid may be water.
  • the second reactant may be a solid in the form of a granulate or powder.
  • the second reactant may be calcium oxide.
  • the frangible barrier may be in the form of a foil.
  • the flexible member may be convex in shape so as to stand proud of the first reactant cavity.
  • the receiving formation on the inner surface of the flexible member may be in the form of a female formation configured and dimensioned to snugly receive an end of the elongate member therein.
  • the elongate member may extend so as to abut against the frangible barrier or it may extend to a zone just short of said barrier.
  • the elongate member may include a flared portion located at its free end nearest the barrier.
  • the flared portion may be generally circular in plan view. The flared portion ensures that the majority of the frangible barrier is disrupted when the force acts on the outer surface of the flexible member and thereby on the elongate member.
  • a re-usable container configured and dimensioned to receive a cartridge as described above therein, the container including:- - a material cavity for containing a material to be heated or cooled; an opening located at a first end of the container to permit access to the material cavity; and a cartridge cavity extending from a second end of the container towards the first end of the container, the cartridge cavity being configured and dimensioned to receive the cartridge therein; wherein in use, the cartridge is inserted into the cartridge cavity so that the flexible member of the cartridge abuts against a surface of the cartridge cavity resulting in a force being exerted on the outer surface of the flexible member.
  • the force acting on the flexible member may cause the cartridge to be activated into providing either heating or cooling to the material cavity.
  • the cartridge cavity may include a protrusion on its surface against which the flexible member of the cartridge abuts in use.
  • the cartridge cavity may include one or more channels defined in its walls, which channels extend towards the opening of the cartridge cavity.
  • the channels may be located in register with openings in the second reactant cavity of the cartridge.
  • the material to be heated or cooled may be a beverage or a foodstuff.
  • the container may include a closure member located at its second end for retaining the cartridge in the cartridge cavity, once inserted.
  • the closure member may be displaceable between an inoperative condition in which it permits the cartridge to be inserted into or removed from the cartridge cavity and an operative condition in which it retains the cartridge in the cartridge cavity.
  • the closure member may include openings therein to permit gases exiting via the openings in the cartridge to pass therethrough.
  • the opening located at the first end of the container may be provided with a threaded neck portion or the like to permit a cap or other closure member to be mounted over the opening to seal the material cavity.
  • the material cavity may be filled with a beverage or foodstuff and sealed prior to sale of the container.
  • a user may himself fill the material cavity with a beverage or foodstuff of choice.
  • the container is a feeding bottle for an infant or toddler and the reaction between the first and second reactants is exothermic.
  • the quantity of the first and second reactants may be selected in proportion to the size of the material cavity of the bottle so that the temperature to which the material in the material cavity is heated is such that the infant or toddler may immediately consume the contents of the material cavity once the reaction is complete. f As the exothermic reaction takes place in the interior of the bottle, the exterior surfaces of the bottle are not heated to a temperature so high as to be uncomfortable to touch or hold.
  • the container does not need to be inverted prior to consumption of the contents of the material cavity and due to the particular constructions of the cartridge and, in particular the location of the openings in the second reactant cavity, it is unlikely that solid reactions products escape from the cartridge in use.
  • the invention extends to a kit including one or more containers and one or more cartridges as described above.
  • Figure 1 shows a partially cut away perspective view of a cartridge in accordance with the present invention
  • Figure 2 shows a partially cut away perspective view of a re-usable container in accordance with the present invention.
  • Figure 3 shows a partially cut away perspective view of a re-usable container in accordance with the present invention when the cartridge of Figure 1 has been inserted into the container.
  • reference numeral 10 generally indicates an embodiment of a cartridge in accordance with the present invention and reference numeral 36 generally indicates a re-usable container in accordance with the present invention.
  • a cartridge 10 including a first reactant cavity 12 for containing a first reactant (not shown), a second reactant cavity 14 for containing a second reactant (not shown) and a frangible barrier 16 in the form of a foil separating the first and second cavities 12 and 14.
  • a flexible member 18 is defined at an end of the first reactant cavity 12 remote the barrier 16.
  • the member 18 has a receiving formation 20 on an inner surface thereof for receiving an end of an elongate member 22 therein, which elongate member 22 extends towards the barrier 16.
  • Two openings 24 are located in an operatively upper region of the second reactant cavity 14, which openings 24 are overlayed by hingedly mounted flap formations 26.
  • Two channels 28 are defined in an outer surface 30 of the second reactant cavity 14, which channels 28 extend from the openings 24 towards a free end 32 of the cartridge 10.
  • the integrity of the barrier 16 is disrupted by a force acting on an outer surface of the flexible member 18 as indicated by arrow A in Figure 1 to displace it towards the barrier 16, thereby causing the elongate member 22 to disrupt the integrity of the barrier 16 and permit the first and second reactants to react with each other.
  • the cartridge is shown immediately prior to the force A beginning to act on the flexible member 18.
  • the reaction resulting when the first and second reactants react with each other is exothermic.
  • the first reactant is water and the second reactant is granular calcium oxide.
  • the flexible member 18 is convex in shape so as to stand proud of the first reactant cavity 12.
  • the receiving formation 20 on the inner surface of the flexible member 18 is in the form of a female formation configured and dimensioned to snugly receive an end of the elongate member 22 therein.
  • the elongate member 22 extends so as to abut against the frangible barrier 16 as can be seen in Figure 3.
  • the elongate member 22 includes a flared portion 34 located at its free end nearest the barrier 16.
  • the flared portion 34 is generally circular in plan view. The flared portion 34 ensures that the majority of the frangible barrier 16 is disrupted when the force A acts on the outer surface of the flexible member 18 and thereby on the elongate member 22.
  • FIG. 2 there is shown a re-usable container 36 configured and dimensioned to receive the cartridge 10 of Figure 1 therein.
  • the container 36 includes a material cavity 38 for containing a material (not shown) to be heated, an opening 40 located at a first end 42 of the container 36 to permit access to the material cavity 38.
  • a cartridge cavity 44 extends from a second end 46 of the container 36 towards the first end 42 of the container 36. The cartridge cavity 44 is configured and dimensioned to receive the cartridge 10 therein.
  • a protrusion 48 extends from a closed end of the cartridge cavity 44 into the cavity 44 so that, when the cartridge 10 is inserted into the cartridge cavity 44, the protrusion 48 exerts a force A on the outer surface of the flexible member 18.
  • the material to be heated is a beverage or a foodstuff such as, for example, coffee, infant formula, soup, and the like.
  • the container 36 is provided with a closure member 50 located at its second end 46 for retaining the cartridge 10 in the cartridge cavity 44, once inserted as shown in Figure 3.
  • the cartridge 10 is provided with a tab 56 to permit easy removal of the cartridge 10 from the cartridge cavity 44 once the cartridge 10 has been used.
  • the closure member 50 is screwed onto the second end 46 of the container 36 and is removed to permit the cartridge 10 to be inserted into or removed from the cartridge cavity 44.
  • the closure member 50 may include openings 52 therein to permit gases exiting via the channels 28 of the cartridge 10 as indicated by arrow B in Figure 1 to pass therethrough.
  • the opening 40 is typically provided with a threaded neck portion 54 to permit a cap or other closure member to be mounted over the opening 40 to seal the material cavity 38.
  • the material cavity 38 can be filled with a beverage or foodstuff and sealed prior to sale of the container 36.
  • the container 36 can be sold empty so that a user is able to select the contents he wishes to place into the material cavity 38.
  • Advantages of the present invention include the re-usable nature of the container 36, the fact that a user is able to select the beverage or foodstuff he wishes to heat or cool as the container 36 can be sold empty.
  • the container 36 need not be inverted prior to use whilst the reaction gases are channelled away from the opening 40 of the container 36 so that the mouth of a user consuming material contained in the material cavity 38 will not come into contact with said gases.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Food Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Cookers (AREA)
  • Packages (AREA)

Abstract

A cartridge 10 for insertion into a re-usable container 36 includes a first reactant cavity 12 for containing a first reactant, a second reactant cavity 14 for containing a second reactant and a frangible barrier 16 in the form of a foil separating the first and second cavities 12 and 14. A flexible member 18 is defined at an end of the first reactant cavity 12 remote the barrier 16. The member 18 has a receiving formation 20 on an inner surface thereof for receiving an end of an elongate member 22 therein, which elongate member 22 extends towards the barrier 16.

Description

CONTAINER FOR RECEIVING A CARTRIDGE FOR HEATING OR COOLING THE CONTENTS OF THE CONTAINER
Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a container for receiving a cartridge for heating or cooling a beverage or foodstuff located in the container. The invention further relates to a cartridge for use in combination with the container.
Background to the Invention
Containers containing consumables such as coffee, soup, sake, and the like provided with an integral heating unit for heating its contents are known in the art. Examples of such containers are described in US 4,640,264 and US 4,784,111. A further example of such a container can be found in South African patent number 96/8737.
The heating unit generally includes two chambers separated by a frangible barrier, wherein one chamber includes water and the other includes a solid reactant. The water and the solid reactant are brought into contact with each other when the barrier is broken. The unit can be located in the container containing the consumables in such a manner that the container must be inverted once the barrier has been broken to permit a user to consume the contents of the container.
Alternatively, the heating unit forms part of a base of a container into which the container containing the consumable is inserted to heat or cool it. In this case, the container need not be inverted prior to consumption.
Whilst the containers disclosed in the abovementioned patents fulfil their function satisfactorily, some problems have been associated with each of them. These problems include a high cost of manufacture due to the container and unit having many separate parts, leakage of fluid out of the unit, and solid reactant products leaking from the unit upon inversion of the container.
The main disadvantage of the containers described by the prior art is that the container containing the foodstuff or beverage is not re-usable.
When the prior art container is purchased, it already contains a particular foodstuff or beverage and a user does not have the option of filling the container with a desired foodstuff or beverage.
The inventor therefore believes that a need exists for providing a container configured and dimensioned to receive a cartridge for heating or cooling the contents of the container therein, wherein the container is reusable.
Such a container would be particularly useful for providing heated milk, nutrition formula, or the like to infants, toddlers, and small children. At present, if an infant requires feeding during the night, the caretaker will typically heat a liquid to be fed to the infant whilst said liquid is in a feeding bottle using, for example, a microwave oven.
The temperature to which the bottle and its contents are heated is difficult to regulate and the caretaker will often have to wait some time for the bottle and its contents to cool down prior to being able to feed the infant.
Heating the bottle in a microwave usually entails leaving the infant unattended for a couple of minutes, thereby causing distress to an already hungry and uncomfortable infant.
The present invention allows a caretaker to heat the contents of a feeding bottle in the presence of the infant and it is unlikely that the contents of the feeding bottle are heated to a temperature above which said contents are too hot to be fed to the infant.
Summary of the Invention
According to the invention, there is provided a cartridge including:- a first reactant cavity for containing a first reactant; a second reactant cavity for containing a second reactant, which second reactant cavity is in an operative condition located below the first reactant cavity; a frangible barrier separating the first and second reactant cavities; a flexible member defined at an end of the first reactant cavity remote the barrier, the member having a receiving formation on an inner surface thereof for receiving an end of an elongate member therein, which elongate member extends towards the barrier; one or more openings located in an operatively upper region of the second reactant cavity; and wherein in use, the integrity of the barrier is disrupted by a force acting on an outer surface of the flexible member to displace it towards the barrier, thereby causing the elongate member to disrupt the integrity of the barrier and permitting the first and second reactants to react with each other.
The cartridge may include one or more flap formations configured and dimensioned to overlay the openings.
The second reactant cavity may have two openings and two flap formations. The flap formations may be hingedly mounted on the outer surface of the second reactant cavity so as to overlay the openings. The cartridge may include one or more channels defined in an outer surface of the second reactant cavity extending from the openings towards a free end of the cartridge.
When the pressure in the second reactant cavity exceeds a predetermined pressure due to the formation of reaction gases, the flap formations may be displaced into an open condition to permit the gases to exit the second reactant cavity.
After the gases exit the openings, they may be guided towards the free end of the cartridge by the channels.
The reaction resulting when the first and second reactants react with each other may be exothermic or endothermic.
The first reactant may be a fluid. The fluid may be water.
The second reactant may be a solid in the form of a granulate or powder. The second reactant may be calcium oxide.
The frangible barrier may be in the form of a foil.
The flexible member may be convex in shape so as to stand proud of the first reactant cavity.
The receiving formation on the inner surface of the flexible member may be in the form of a female formation configured and dimensioned to snugly receive an end of the elongate member therein.
The elongate member may extend so as to abut against the frangible barrier or it may extend to a zone just short of said barrier. The elongate member may include a flared portion located at its free end nearest the barrier. The flared portion may be generally circular in plan view. The flared portion ensures that the majority of the frangible barrier is disrupted when the force acts on the outer surface of the flexible member and thereby on the elongate member.
According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a re-usable container configured and dimensioned to receive a cartridge as described above therein, the container including:- - a material cavity for containing a material to be heated or cooled; an opening located at a first end of the container to permit access to the material cavity; and a cartridge cavity extending from a second end of the container towards the first end of the container, the cartridge cavity being configured and dimensioned to receive the cartridge therein; wherein in use, the cartridge is inserted into the cartridge cavity so that the flexible member of the cartridge abuts against a surface of the cartridge cavity resulting in a force being exerted on the outer surface of the flexible member.
The force acting on the flexible member may cause the cartridge to be activated into providing either heating or cooling to the material cavity.
The cartridge cavity may include a protrusion on its surface against which the flexible member of the cartridge abuts in use.
The cartridge cavity may include one or more channels defined in its walls, which channels extend towards the opening of the cartridge cavity.
In use, the channels may be located in register with openings in the second reactant cavity of the cartridge. The material to be heated or cooled may be a beverage or a foodstuff.
The container may include a closure member located at its second end for retaining the cartridge in the cartridge cavity, once inserted.
The closure member may be displaceable between an inoperative condition in which it permits the cartridge to be inserted into or removed from the cartridge cavity and an operative condition in which it retains the cartridge in the cartridge cavity.
The closure member may include openings therein to permit gases exiting via the openings in the cartridge to pass therethrough.
The opening located at the first end of the container may be provided with a threaded neck portion or the like to permit a cap or other closure member to be mounted over the opening to seal the material cavity.
The material cavity may be filled with a beverage or foodstuff and sealed prior to sale of the container. Alternatively, a user may himself fill the material cavity with a beverage or foodstuff of choice.
In one embodiment, the container is a feeding bottle for an infant or toddler and the reaction between the first and second reactants is exothermic.
The quantity of the first and second reactants may be selected in proportion to the size of the material cavity of the bottle so that the temperature to which the material in the material cavity is heated is such that the infant or toddler may immediately consume the contents of the material cavity once the reaction is complete. f As the exothermic reaction takes place in the interior of the bottle, the exterior surfaces of the bottle are not heated to a temperature so high as to be uncomfortable to touch or hold.
Because the container does not need to be inverted prior to consumption of the contents of the material cavity and due to the particular constructions of the cartridge and, in particular the location of the openings in the second reactant cavity, it is unlikely that solid reactions products escape from the cartridge in use.
The invention extends to a kit including one or more containers and one or more cartridges as described above.
Detailed Description of the Invention
The invention will now be described by way of the following non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings.
In the drawings:-
Figure 1 shows a partially cut away perspective view of a cartridge in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 2 shows a partially cut away perspective view of a re-usable container in accordance with the present invention; and
Figure 3 shows a partially cut away perspective view of a re-usable container in accordance with the present invention when the cartridge of Figure 1 has been inserted into the container.
In the drawings, reference numeral 10 generally indicates an embodiment of a cartridge in accordance with the present invention and reference numeral 36 generally indicates a re-usable container in accordance with the present invention.
Referring now to Figure 1 , there is shown a cartridge 10 including a first reactant cavity 12 for containing a first reactant (not shown), a second reactant cavity 14 for containing a second reactant (not shown) and a frangible barrier 16 in the form of a foil separating the first and second cavities 12 and 14.
A flexible member 18 is defined at an end of the first reactant cavity 12 remote the barrier 16. The member 18 has a receiving formation 20 on an inner surface thereof for receiving an end of an elongate member 22 therein, which elongate member 22 extends towards the barrier 16.
Two openings 24 are located in an operatively upper region of the second reactant cavity 14, which openings 24 are overlayed by hingedly mounted flap formations 26.
Two channels 28 are defined in an outer surface 30 of the second reactant cavity 14, which channels 28 extend from the openings 24 towards a free end 32 of the cartridge 10.
In use, the integrity of the barrier 16 is disrupted by a force acting on an outer surface of the flexible member 18 as indicated by arrow A in Figure 1 to displace it towards the barrier 16, thereby causing the elongate member 22 to disrupt the integrity of the barrier 16 and permit the first and second reactants to react with each other. In Figure 3, the cartridge is shown immediately prior to the force A beginning to act on the flexible member 18.
When the pressure in the second reactant cavity 14 exceeds a predetermined pressure due to the formation of reaction gases, the flap formations 26 are displaced into an open condition to permit the gases to exit the second reactant cavity 14.
In the embodiment shown, the reaction resulting when the first and second reactants react with each other is exothermic. The first reactant is water and the second reactant is granular calcium oxide.
As can be seen in Figures 1 and 3, the flexible member 18 is convex in shape so as to stand proud of the first reactant cavity 12.
The receiving formation 20 on the inner surface of the flexible member 18 is in the form of a female formation configured and dimensioned to snugly receive an end of the elongate member 22 therein.
The elongate member 22 extends so as to abut against the frangible barrier 16 as can be seen in Figure 3.
The elongate member 22 includes a flared portion 34 located at its free end nearest the barrier 16. The flared portion 34 is generally circular in plan view. The flared portion 34 ensures that the majority of the frangible barrier 16 is disrupted when the force A acts on the outer surface of the flexible member 18 and thereby on the elongate member 22.
Referring now to Figure 2, there is shown a re-usable container 36 configured and dimensioned to receive the cartridge 10 of Figure 1 therein.
The container 36 includes a material cavity 38 for containing a material (not shown) to be heated, an opening 40 located at a first end 42 of the container 36 to permit access to the material cavity 38. A cartridge cavity 44 extends from a second end 46 of the container 36 towards the first end 42 of the container 36. The cartridge cavity 44 is configured and dimensioned to receive the cartridge 10 therein.
A protrusion 48 extends from a closed end of the cartridge cavity 44 into the cavity 44 so that, when the cartridge 10 is inserted into the cartridge cavity 44, the protrusion 48 exerts a force A on the outer surface of the flexible member 18.
The material to be heated is a beverage or a foodstuff such as, for example, coffee, infant formula, soup, and the like.
The container 36 is provided with a closure member 50 located at its second end 46 for retaining the cartridge 10 in the cartridge cavity 44, once inserted as shown in Figure 3. The cartridge 10 is provided with a tab 56 to permit easy removal of the cartridge 10 from the cartridge cavity 44 once the cartridge 10 has been used.
The closure member 50 is screwed onto the second end 46 of the container 36 and is removed to permit the cartridge 10 to be inserted into or removed from the cartridge cavity 44.
The closure member 50 may include openings 52 therein to permit gases exiting via the channels 28 of the cartridge 10 as indicated by arrow B in Figure 1 to pass therethrough.
The opening 40 is typically provided with a threaded neck portion 54 to permit a cap or other closure member to be mounted over the opening 40 to seal the material cavity 38.
The material cavity 38 can be filled with a beverage or foodstuff and sealed prior to sale of the container 36. Alternatively, the container 36 can be sold empty so that a user is able to select the contents he wishes to place into the material cavity 38.
Advantages of the present invention include the re-usable nature of the container 36, the fact that a user is able to select the beverage or foodstuff he wishes to heat or cool as the container 36 can be sold empty.
Furthermore, the container 36 need not be inverted prior to use whilst the reaction gases are channelled away from the opening 40 of the container 36 so that the mouth of a user consuming material contained in the material cavity 38 will not come into contact with said gases.
It is to be appreciated, that the invention is not limited to any particular embodiment or configuration as hereinbefore generally described or illustrated.

Claims

Claims
1. A cartridge including:- a first reactant cavity for containing a first reactant; - a second reactant cavity for containing a second reactant, which second reactant cavity is in an operative condition located below the first reactant cavity; a frangible barrier separating the first and second reactant cavities; a flexible member defined at an end of the first reactant cavity remote the barrier, the member having a receiving formation on an inner surface thereof for receiving an end of an elongate member therein, which elongate member extends towards the barrier; one or more openings located in an operatively upper region of the second reactant cavity; and - wherein in use, the integrity of the barrier is disrupted by a force acting on an outer surface of the flexible member to displace it towards the barrier, thereby causing the elongate member to disrupt the integrity of the barrier and permitting the first and second reactants to react with each other.
2. A cartridge as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the cartridge includes one or more flap formations configured and dimensioned to overlay the openings.
3. A cartridge as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the cartridge includes one or more channels defined in an outer surface of the second reactant cavity extending from the openings towards a free end of the cartridge.
4. A cartridge as claimed in claim 3, wherein, when the pressure in the second reactant cavity exceeds a predetermined pressure due to the formation of reaction gases, the flap formations are displaced into an open condition to permit the gases to exit the second reactant cavity.
5. A cartridge as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the reaction resulting when the first and second reactants react with each other is exothermic.
6. A cartridge as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the reaction resulting when the first and second reactants react with each other is endothermic.
7. A cartridge as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first reactant is water.
8. A cartridge as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second reactant is calcium oxide.
9. A cartridge as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the flexible member is convex in shape so as to stand proud of the first reactant cavity.
10. A cartridge as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the receiving formation on the inner surface of the flexible member is in the form of a female formation configured and dimensioned to snugly receive an end of the elongate member therein.
11. A cartridge as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the elongate member extends so as to abut against the frangible barrier or it to a zone just short of said barrier.
12. A cartridge as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the elongate member includes a flared portion located at its free end nearest the barrier.
13. A cartridge as claimed in claim 12, wherein the flared portion is generally circular in plan view so that the majority of the frangible barrier is disrupted when the force acts on the outer surface of the flexible member and thereby on the elongate member.
14. A re-usable container configured and dimensioned to receive a cartridge as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13, the container including:- a material cavity for containing a material to be heated or cooled; an opening located at a first end of the container to permit access to the material cavity; and a cartridge cavity extending from a second end of the container towards the first end of the container, the cartridge cavity being configured and dimensioned to receive the cartridge therein; wherein in use, the cartridge is inserted into the cartridge cavity so that the flexible member of the cartridge abuts against a surface of the cartridge cavity resulting in a force being exerted on the outer surface of the flexible member.
15. A container as claimed in claim 14, wherein the force acting on the flexible member causes the cartridge to be activated into providing either heating or cooling to the material cavity.
16. A container as claimed in claim 14 and claim 15, wherein the cartridge cavity includes a protrusion on its surface against which the flexible member of the cartridge abuts in use.
17.A container as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein the cartridge cavity includes one or more channels defined in its walls, which channels extend towards the opening of the cartridge cavity.
17. A container as claimed in claim 16 wherein in use, the channels are located in register with openings in the second reactant cavity of the cartridge.
18.A container as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 17, wherein the material to be heated or cooled is a beverage or a foodstuff.
19.A container as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 18, wherein the container includes a closure member located at its second end for retaining the cartridge in the cartridge cavity, once inserted.
20. A container as claimed in claim 19, wherein the closure member is displaceable between an inoperative condition in which it permits the cartridge to be inserted into or removed from the cartridge cavity and an operative condition in which it retains the cartridge in the cartridge cavity.
21. A container as claimed in claim 19 or claim 20, wherein the closure member includes openings therein to permit gases exiting via the openings in the cartridge to pass therethrough.
22.A container as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 21 , wherein the opening located at the first end of the container is provided with a threaded neck portion to permit a closure member to be mounted over the opening to seal the material cavity.
23. A container as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 22, wherein the container is a feeding bottle for an infant or toddler and the reaction between the first and second reactants is exothermic.
24.A kit including one or more cartridges as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14 and one or more containers as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 23. 0/3
25. A cartridge according to the invention, as hereinbefore generally described.
26.A cartridge as specifically described with reference to or as illustrated in any one of the accompanying drawings.
27.A cartridge including any new and inventive integer or combination of integers, substantially as herein described.
28.A re-usable container according to the invention, as hereinbefore generally described.
29.A re-usable container as specifically described with reference to or as illustrated in any one of the accompanying drawings.
30. A re-usable container including any new and inventive integer or combination of integers, substantially as herein described.
PCT/ZA2006/000107 2005-12-15 2006-09-15 Container for receiving a cartridge for heating or cooling the contents of the container WO2007070893A1 (en)

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ZA200510212 2005-12-15

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