WO2020194028A1 - Récipient pouvant être chauffé, dispositif de chauffage et procédé associé - Google Patents

Récipient pouvant être chauffé, dispositif de chauffage et procédé associé Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2020194028A1
WO2020194028A1 PCT/IB2019/052406 IB2019052406W WO2020194028A1 WO 2020194028 A1 WO2020194028 A1 WO 2020194028A1 IB 2019052406 W IB2019052406 W IB 2019052406W WO 2020194028 A1 WO2020194028 A1 WO 2020194028A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
hollow body
heatable container
electromagnetic field
lateral wall
heatable
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2019/052406
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Mauro GAZZELLI
Original Assignee
Gratzup Sa
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 Gratzup Sa filed Critical Gratzup Sa
Priority to PCT/IB2019/052406 priority Critical patent/WO2020194028A1/fr
Publication of WO2020194028A1 publication Critical patent/WO2020194028A1/fr

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L2/00—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor
    • A61L2/26—Accessories or devices or components used for biocidal treatment
    • 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
    • A47J36/2433—Baby bottle warmers; Devices for warming baby food in jars with electrical heating means
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L2/00—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor
    • A61L2/0005—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor for pharmaceuticals, biologicals or living parts
    • A61L2/0011—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor for pharmaceuticals, biologicals or living parts using physical methods
    • A61L2/0029—Radiation
    • A61L2/0064—Microwaves
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L2/00—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor
    • A61L2/02—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor using physical phenomena
    • A61L2/08—Radiation
    • A61L2/12—Microwaves
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L2/00—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor
    • A61L2/24—Apparatus using programmed or automatic operation
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B6/00—Heating by electric, magnetic or electromagnetic fields
    • H05B6/02—Induction heating
    • H05B6/10—Induction heating apparatus, other than furnaces, for specific applications
    • H05B6/12—Cooking devices
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B50/00—Containers, covers, furniture or holders specially adapted for surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments, e.g. sterile covers
    • A61B2050/001—Temperature-modifying means
    • A61B2050/0016—Heating means
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B50/00—Containers, covers, furniture or holders specially adapted for surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments, e.g. sterile covers
    • A61B2050/005—Containers, covers, furniture or holders specially adapted for surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments, e.g. sterile covers with a lid or cover
    • A61B2050/0051—Containers, covers, furniture or holders specially adapted for surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments, e.g. sterile covers with a lid or cover closable by rotation
    • A61B2050/0052—Containers, covers, furniture or holders specially adapted for surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments, e.g. sterile covers with a lid or cover closable by rotation of two concentric cylinders with corresponding lateral openings, about their common longitudinal axis
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B50/00—Containers, covers, furniture or holders specially adapted for surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments, e.g. sterile covers
    • A61B50/30—Containers specially adapted for packaging, protecting, dispensing, collecting or disposing of surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments
    • A61B2050/3006—Nested casings
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B50/00—Containers, covers, furniture or holders specially adapted for surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments, e.g. sterile covers
    • A61B50/30—Containers specially adapted for packaging, protecting, dispensing, collecting or disposing of surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L2202/00—Aspects relating to methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects
    • A61L2202/10—Apparatus features
    • A61L2202/11—Apparatus for generating biocidal substances, e.g. vaporisers, UV lamps
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L2202/00—Aspects relating to methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects
    • A61L2202/10—Apparatus features
    • A61L2202/12—Apparatus for isolating biocidal substances from the environment
    • A61L2202/122—Chambers for sterilisation
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L2202/00—Aspects relating to methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects
    • A61L2202/20—Targets to be treated
    • A61L2202/24—Medical instruments, e.g. endoscopes, catheters, sharps

Definitions

  • Heatable container Heating device and associated method.
  • the object of the present disclosure refers to the field of the of the induction-heatable elements, and in detail concerns an heatable container suitable to be heated by means of induction of an electromagnetic field.
  • the present disclosure further refers to methods for heating induction-heatable elements, for the purpose of heating and/or sterilizing items, either in solid or fluid forms.
  • the present disclosure finally refers to heating device configured to induce electromagnetic fields to heatable containers.
  • a container for sterilizing objects is disclosed in WO2015/155625.
  • the container comprises an hollow body with mainly longitudinal development, closed at one end by a bottom wall and being provided, at an end opposite to that which is closed by the bottom wall, with an opening provided with a connection area to a tubular body, open at both the extremities, which is configured to cooperate with a shaped cover.
  • the tubular body is in use installed between the shaped cover and the hollow body to create a sealed volume wherein items may be introduced in order to be sterilized.
  • Connection between the tubular body and the shaped cover and the hollow body is realized by means of two threaded connections.
  • the container according to WO2015/155625 is conceived for being heated by means of solar rays concentrated by means of a paraboloid mirror, provided with a focus wherein the contained is arranged, with no need of gas burners or similar heat sources.
  • Containers for sterilizing objects may be heated by means of flame heaters, like a traditional gas or fuel burner, which produce harmful gases and that cannot be operated in closed environments.
  • Gas or fuel burners require a combustible (indeed, the gas or the fuel) which may not be promptly available, and which is a non-renewable source of energy.
  • a scope of the present disclosure is to provide a heatable container that allows to overcome the above-identified drawbacks.
  • a further scope of the present disclosure is to provide a heating device that allows to overcome the above-identified drawbacks.
  • a further scope of the present disclosure is to provide a method for heating items that allows to overcome the above-identified drawbacks.
  • an heatable container (1) configured for housing items to be heated and/or boiled and/or sterilized by means of electromagnetic field induction, said container (1) comprising:
  • a covering element (6) configured for detachably coupling with the hollow body (5; 1 10) for realizing an at least temporarily sealed inner volume;
  • a closing cap (2) configured to cooperate with the covering element (6) and/or to at least partially house the covering element (6);
  • said heatable container (1) comprising at least:
  • the closing cap (2) is configured for pushing said covering element (6) against the opening of the hollow body (5; 110)
  • the covering element (6) in particular when the container (1) is in said closed configuration, is interposed between the hollow body
  • said bottom wall (53) extends at least partially substantially orthogonally to the lateral wall (54) and/or to a longitudinal axis of the hollow body (5; 110).
  • the lateral wall (54) and the bottom wall (53) are jointed seamless and the hollow body (5) is configured to retain liquids and/or solid and/or granular bodies.
  • the closing cap (2) pushes axially said covering element (6) against the opening of the hollow body (5; 110).
  • the hollow body (5; 1 10) is fully realized in metal, in particular in steel or Inox steel or surgical stainless steel, or an alloy thereof.
  • the hollow body (5; 1 10) is provided with a shape of a solid of revolution and/or is provided with a main longitudinal axis (X), in particular a longitudinal axis (X) constituting the axis of the solid of revolution.
  • the hollow body (5; 1 10) is provided with a substantially round section.
  • the section is taken on a plane which is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis (X).
  • the longitudinal axis (X) is the longitudinal axis of the heatable container (1) and/or of the hollow body (5; 110) and/or of the covering element
  • the heatable container (1) comprises a first sealing member (7) configured to be arranged and/or interposed between the covering element (6) and the hollow body (5; 110); said first sealing member (7) being elastically compressible; in said closed configuration the first sealing member is compressed by the action of the closing cap (2) and seals the contact between a predefined portion of the covering element (6) and a predefined portion of the hollow body (5; 1 10) by exerting a force which tends to axially separate the hollow body (5; 1 10) from the covering element (6).
  • the covering element (6) is coupled with the hollow body (5; 110) in a substantially direct contact with the hollow body (5; 1 10), without interposition of rigid elements.
  • the inner volume is an at least temporarily sealed inner volume fully delimited by the coupling of the covering element (6) with the hollow body (5; 110) or fully delimited by the coupling of the covering element (6) with the hollow body (5; 110) with the interposition of the first sealing member (7).
  • the first sealing member (7) comprises a rubber o-ring, preferably a rubber dovetail o-ring.
  • the covering element (6) is provided with a lateral wall (61) suitable to engage with the hollow body (5; 1 10) in correspondence of the predefined portion of the hollow body (5; 1 10), and with a top wall (63) jointed to the lateral wall (61), wherein at least the top wall (63) and the lateral wall (61) define a cavity (64).
  • the covering element (6) is realized at least partially in metal.
  • the heatable container (1) comprises at least a first valve (65), optionally arranged on the covering element (6) and in particular arranged on said top wall (63); the first valve (65) comprising a first closed configuration and a second open configuration, and wherein the first valve (65) is configured to switch from the first closed configuration to the second open configuration when a pressure present in the inner volume when the container is in said closed configuration exceeds a first predetermined pressure threshold.
  • the first predetermined pressure threshold is a pressure threshold to which corresponds a temperature of water above 100°C, preferably above 135°C.
  • the first valve (65) when in first closed configuration, allows the heating of the items in the inner volume with a raise of temperature proportional to the pressure present in said inner volume.
  • the first valve (65) switches automatically from the second open configuration to the first closed configuration when the pressure present in the inner volume is below, or reduces to a level below, the first predetermined pressure threshold .
  • the heatable container (1) comprises at least a second valve (66), optionally arranged on the covering element (6) and in particular arranged on said top wall (63); the second valve (66) comprising a first closed configuration and a second open configuration, and wherein the second valve (66) is configured to switch from the first closed configuration to the second open configuration when a pressure present in the inner volume when the heatable container (1) is in said closed configuration exceeds a second predetermined pressure threshold and then to keep the second open configuration also when the pressure reduces to a level below the second predetermined pressure, optionally wherein the second predetermined pressure threshold is greater than the first predetermined threshold.
  • first valve (65) and/or the second valve (66) comprise at least one orifice which is opened when the valve is in said second open configuration and which is closed when the valve is in said first closed configuration; said first valve (65) and/or second valve (66) further comprising a safety net, facing the inner volume and configured to hold impurities and/or particles, in particular solid particles away from said orifice.
  • the heatable container (1) comprises an housing pot (3), configured to at least partially house the hollow body (5); the housing pot (3) comprising:
  • bottom wall (33) and the lateral wall (34, 35) define a cavity configured to at least partially house the hollow body (5).
  • the housing pot (3) comprises a body at least partially realized in plastic, optionally fully realized in plastic.
  • the housing pot (3) is realized in a thermally- insulating material.
  • the longitudinal axis (X) is the longitudinal axis (X) of the housing pot (3) and/or the housing pot (3) defines or is provided with a solid of revolution shape, centered on said longitudinal axis (X).
  • the housing pot (3) is provided with a plurality of air passage apertures (31 ; 32; 39) at least partially arranged on the lateral wall (34, 35) and/or on the bottom wall (33), said air passage apertures (31 ; 32; 39) being configured to let an air flow pass at least partially into the cavity for cooling down the hollow body.
  • said air passage apertures (31 , 32) comprise:
  • the first and second aperture, or the plurality of first and second apertures being configured to allow and/or help convective flow of air between outside the lateral wall (34, 35) and the cavity of the housing pot (3).
  • the first upper aperture (31), or the plurality of first upper apertures (31) and/or the second lower aperture (32), or the plurality of second lower apertures (32) principally extend on a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis (X) of the heatable container (1), or principally extend on a direction inclined less than 90°, preferably less than 75°, with respect to the longitudinal axis (X) of the heatable container (1) and/or wherein the first upper aperture (31), or the plurality of first upper apertures (31) and/or the second lower aperture (32), or the plurality of second lower apertures (32) are arranged radially over the entire development of the lateral wall (34, 35) and/or of the bottom wall (33).
  • the housing pot (3) is provided with, and/or defines, a solid of revolution shape, and preferably comprises at least a portion with substantially cylindrical outer shape, the lateral wall (34, 35) of the housing pot (3) comprising an upper portion (35) of a greater external size, in particular of a greater diameter and a lower portion (34) of a smaller external size, in particular of a lower diameter; the upper portion (35) defining a portion of lateral wall being inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis (X) of the heatable container, the lower portion (34) defining a portion of lateral wall being substantially parallel with respect to the longitudinal axis (X) of the heatable container.
  • the housing pot (3) comprises at least one centering element for the hollow body (5), the at least one centering element being configured to assist the centering of the hollow body (5) inside the cavity defined by the lateral wall (34, 35) and the bottom wall (33) and being arranged in said cavity, in particular wherein said centering element comprises at least one rib, extending mainly along the longitudinal axis (X) of the heatable container (1), said rib radially protruding from an inner face of the lateral wall (34, 35) towards the radial center of the housing pot (3) and/or towards said longitudinal axis (X).
  • the lateral wall (54) of the hollow body (5) is jointed with a top portion (55) extending along a direction substantially inclined with respect to the overall direction defined by the lateral wall (54), said top portion (55) being provided with a protruding outer rim (57) defining a recess (56) arranged between the outer rim (57) and the top portion (55) whose concavity at least partially faces the to a bottom portion of the hollow body (5) wherein the lateral wall (54) joins the bottom wall (53).
  • the hollow body (5) is realized in a single piece and/or is monolithic, and wherein the bottom wall (53) and the lateral wall (54), optionally the bottom wall (53), the lateral wall (54), the top portion (55) and the outer rim (57) seamless extend to define an overall containment wall.
  • the closing cap (2) is provided with an handle (4), movable with respect to the closing cap (2) having at least a first operative configuration wherein it does not protrude from the overall shape defined by the closing cap (2) and a second operative configuration wherein it protrudes from the shape defined by the closing cap (2); the handle (4) being substantially rigid and hinged to the closing cap (2) in correspondence of at least one rotation point, preferably two opposite rotation points.
  • the hollow body (1 10) is in a form of a metal canister (1 10), or keg, and is provided with an annular base (113) and wherein the lateral wall protrudes above the aperture, and/or wherein the aperture of the hollow body is recessed.
  • the aperture of the hollow body is provided with an engagement element, in particular a screw threading, configured to detachably engage with a predetermined portion of the closing cap (2).
  • the closing cap (2) is configured to directly engage with corresponding engagement elements realized on the hollow body, optionally an engagement portion protruding from a top wall thereof.
  • the inner volume is at least temporarily sealed.
  • the lateral wall of the hollow body (1 10) ends with a supporting ring (112), preferably rounded, below which at least a first, and preferably a first and a second slotted holes (11 1) are realized so that to provide handles.
  • the heatable container (1) further comprises an RFId module, suitable at least to receive data from an external transmitter, optionally configured to receive data from an external transmitter and to transmit data to an external receiver.
  • RFId module suitable at least to receive data from an external transmitter, optionally configured to receive data from an external transmitter and to transmit data to an external receiver.
  • the RFId module is fed by means of a rechargeable battery, optionally a wirelessly rechargeable battery configured to be at least partially recharged by means of an electromagnetic field radiation.
  • the closing element (6) is configured to directly, and detachably, engage with the hollow body (5), in particular at a portion substantially corresponding to the aperture thereof and/or when the heatable container (1) is in said closed configuration, the closing element (6) is directly coupled with the hollow body (5) thereby sealing and/or defining the inner volume.
  • the closing element (6) is configured to be screwed onto the hollow body (5), and is provided with a threaded portion (68) configured to detachably couple with a threaded portion (58t) of the hollow body (5).
  • said threaded portion (58t) of the hollow body is provided in correspondence of a top portion of the lateral wall (54) and/or in substantial correspondence of the aperture of said hollow body (5), optionally being provided in correspondence of the outer rim (57).
  • the threaded portion (58t) is provided directly on the outer rim (57) or on a ring solidly jointed with the outer rim (57).
  • the threaded portion (68) of the closing element (6) is realized directly on the lateral wall (61) of the closing element (6) or on a ring rigidly fixed to the lateral wall (61) of the closing element (6).
  • the closed configuration of the heatable container (1) is such that the covering element (6) is screwed on the hollow body (5), and in said closed configuration at least the covering element (6) and the hollow body (5) realize a single assembly or body.
  • said single assembly or body in the closed configuration is configured to be rigidly extracted and/or introduced in said housing pot (3).
  • a heatable container (1) configured for housing items to be heated and/or boiled and/or sterilized by means of electromagnetic field induction, said container (1) comprising:
  • a hollow body (5) at least partially realized in metal, comprising an opening, a lateral wall (54) and a bottom wall (53) jointed to the lateral wall (54);
  • a covering element (6) configured for detachably coupling with the hollow body (5; 1 10) for realizing an least temporarily sealed inner volume
  • said heatable container (1) comprising at least:
  • the heatable container (1) comprises a housing pot (3) suitable to contain at least part of the single assembly or body.
  • a method of heating of items contained in a heatable container (1) in particular a heatable container according to one or more of the aspects herein disclosed, said method comprising:
  • said first heating cycle comprising at least: ⁇ starting the induction of an electromagnetic field on the hollow body (5; 1 10) so that the hollow body (5; 1 10) and/or the at least one item contained therein is/are heated,
  • stopping the induction of an electromagnetic field on the hollow body (5; 110) is performed in accordance to a heat feedback signal received from a temperature sensor (103) configured and/or arranged to measure the temperature of the hollow body (5; 110); said temperature sensor (103) being alternatively a sensor configured to measure temperature by means of a direct contact with the hollow body (5; 110) or a sensor configured to measure temperature in a contactless way.
  • the method comprises a step of at least partially introducing the heatable container (1) in an electromagnetic field inducer (102), said electromagnetic field inducer radially surrounding the lateral wall (54) for at least part of the development of the lateral wall (54) of the hollow body (5; 110) along a longitudinal axis (X) of the heatable container (1); the step of starting the induction of an electromagnetic field and/or stopping the induction of an electromagnetic field on the hollow body (5; 110) being performed after the step of at least partially introducing the heatable container (1) in the electromagnetic field inducer (102).
  • inducing the electromagnetic field comprises inducing an electromagnetic field having at least one predetermined frequency value, and providing an adaptation, in particular an automatic variation, of said predetermined frequency value over the time during the induction, said predetermined frequency value being comprised between 10 kHz, preferably between 20 kHz, and 1200 kHz, preferably 1000 kHz.
  • the method comprises providing circulation of water in at least part of said electromagnetic inductor (102), in particular in the coils of the electromagnetic inductor (102); said circulation of water providing cooling of said electromagnetic field inductor (102) during the induction of the electromagnetic field on the hollow body (5; 110); the method further comprising a step of using the water already circulated in the coils of the electromagnetic field inductor (102) for pre-heating the electromagnetic field inductor (102) before starting the induction of an electromagnetic field on the hollow body (5; 1 10) in a second and subsequent heating cycle.
  • the method comprises a step of cooling the hollow body (5; 110) and/or the at least one item therein contained by means of a ventilation element (105) arranged in substantial proximity of the electromagnetic inductor (102); the step of cooling comprising conveying or forcing the air flow, through the ventilation element (105), from an upper side of the hollow body (5; 1 10) and/or of the heatable container (1) to a lower side of the hollow body (5; 1 10) and/or of the heatable container (1).
  • the method comprises assisting retaining the position of the hollow body (5; 1 10) and/or of the heatable container (1) at least partially in the electromagnetic field inductor (102) through the air flow provided by said ventilation element (105).
  • the method comprises defining a predetermined temperature of heating for the item inside the hollow body (5; 1 10) through associating said predetermined temperature of heating with a predetermined pressure threshold, and further comprising providing the heatable container (1) with at least a fist valve; the first valve (65) comprising a first closed configuration and a second open configuration, and wherein the first valve (65) is configured to switch from the first closed configuration to the second open configuration when a pressure present in the inner volume exceeds a first predetermined pressure threshold, the reaching of the second open configuration determining the reaching of said predetermined temperature of heating.
  • the method comprises providing data transmission between an RFID module installed on the heatable container (1) and the heating device (100); said data comprising univocal identification data of the heatable container (1) and/or heating status data and/or number of heating cycles performed on the heatable container (1).
  • an heating device (100) configured to heat containers by means of electromagnetic field induction, said heating device (100) comprising a body (101) provided with at least one aperture (106) for introducing at least a part of a heatable container (1) and comprising an electromagnetic field inductor (102) arranged in substantial correspondence of the aperture (106); the electromagnetic field inductor (102) being provided with at least one, preferably a plurality of, coil(s) defining therein a space suitable to house at least a part of a heatable container (1), said heating device (100) being characterized in that it comprises a ventilation element (105) arranged in substantial proximity of the electromagnetic field inductor (102) and configured for conveying or forcing the air flow in aspiration from the outside of the body and/or from an upper side of the heatable container (1) to a lower side of the heatable container (1).
  • a ventilation element (105) arranged in substantial proximity of the electromagnetic field inductor (102) and configured for conveying or forcing the air flow in aspiration from the outside of the body and/or from an upper side of
  • the electromagnetic field inductor (102) is provided with hollow induction members, configured to allow flow of liquids and/or water; said heating device (100) being provided with active circulation means suitable to provide forced circulation of said liquids and/or water in the hollow induction members.
  • an heating device (100) configured to heat containers by means of electromagnetic field induction, said heating device (100) comprising a body (101) provided with at least one aperture (106) for introducing at least a part of a heatable container (1) and comprising an electromagnetic field inductor (102) arranged in substantial correspondence of the aperture (106); the electromagnetic field inductor (102) being provided with at least one, preferably a plurality of, coil(s) defining therein a space suitable to house at least a part of a heatable container (1), said heating device (100) being characterized in that the electromagnetic field inductor (102) is provided with hollow induction members, configured to allow flow of liquids and/or water; said heating device (100) being provided with active circulation means suitable to provide forced circulation of said liquids and/or water in the hollow induction members.
  • the heating device (100) comprises a data processing unit (107) configured at least to control the electromagnetic field inductor (102) to command emission of an electromagnetic field having, at least temporarily, at least one predetermined frequency, said at least one predetermined frequency being comprised between 10kHz, preferably 20kHz, and 1200kHz, preferably 1000 kHz.
  • the heating device (100) comprises a weight sensor (108), configured to detect the weight of the heatable container (1) and to discriminate if at least one item to be heated has been introduced in the heatable container (1) or if the heatable container (1) is empty; optionally said weight sensor (108) being operatively, preferably electrically, connected with the data processing unit (107); the data processing unit (107) comprising a first operative configuration wherein it disables and/or impedes the emission of electromagnetic field by the electromagnetic field inductor (102) and a second operative configuration wherein it allows the emission of electromagnetic field by the electromagnetic field inductor (102) and/or allows activation of the electromagnetic field inductor (102), the switching between the first operative configuration and the second operative configuration being determined by the weight data transmitted from the weight sensor (108) to the data processing unit (107).
  • the heating device (100) is configured to be fed by a renewable source of energy, and/or is configured to be fed by solar panels.
  • thermoelectric container (1) According to another aspect, it is herewith disclosed the use of the heatable container (1) according to any of the previous aspects for heating and/or sterilizing items, in particular items to be used for feeding and/or to be used in medical procedures and/or fluid items.
  • a heating system for electromagnetic induction of an heatable container comprising a heating device according to one or more of the present aspects and a source of energy suitable to provide a sufficient amount of electric power to feed at least the electromagnetic field inductor (102).
  • the source of energy comprises at least one solar panel and/or a battery.
  • FIG. 1 shows a lateral view of a first embodiment of an heatable container
  • figure 2 shows an exploded view of the heatable container of figure 1 ;
  • FIG. 3 shows a top view of a hollow element of the heatable container
  • figure 4 shows a section of the hollow element along the lines A-A of figure 3;
  • FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the hollow element of the heatable container
  • FIG. 6 shows a top view of a covering element of the heatable container
  • figure 7 shows a section of the hollow element along the lines A-A of figure 6;
  • FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of an housing pot
  • figure 9 shows a top view of the housing pot of figure 8.
  • FIG. 10 shows a top view of a covering cap
  • FIG. 1 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the heatable container
  • FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the heatable container partially open
  • FIG. 13 shows another perspective view of another embodiment of the heatable container
  • FIG. 14 shows a perspective, partially transparent, view of a heating device according to the present disclosure
  • FIG. 15 shows a section view of a detail of another embodiment of the heatable container
  • FIG. 16 shows a perspective partial view of a detail of another embodiment of the heatable container
  • FIG. 17 shows a section view of the embodiment partially shown in figures 15 and 16.
  • FIG 1 with the reference number 1 is shown in its complex an heatable container.
  • the heatable container is configured for housing items to be heated and/or boiled and/or sterilized by means of electromagnetic field induction.
  • the heatable container 1 is shown in a closed configuration, wherein can be identified a housing pot 3, configured to allow the container be laid on a flat surface with suitable stability, and a closing cap 2, in figure connected to the housing pot 3.
  • the closing cap 2 can be disconnected from the housing pot 3 in order to let the user introduce the items into the container.
  • the closing cap 2 is provided with an handle 4, described with greater detail in the following portions of the present description; the handle 4 is optional.
  • Figure 2 shows an exploded view of the container disclosed in figure 1 , and helps the reader identify further elements being part of the container itself, and which are not visible since covered by the housing pot 3 and closing cap 2 when reciprocally connected as in figure 1.
  • the heatable container 1 is provided with an hollow body 5, at least partially realized in metal, comprising an opening in correspondence of which items may be introduced, a lateral wall 54 and a bottom wall 53 jointed to the lateral wall 54.
  • the overall shape of the hollow body 5 is similar to that of cup or vase. Presence of a metal part allows for let the hollow body 5 be heated in use by means of an electromagnetic field, thereby transferring heat by means of direct contact or radiation to items that in use are therein contained.
  • Metal may be for example iron or steel or - preferably - surgical stainless steel; anyway any metal suitable to be heated up by means of electromagnetic radiation may be used.
  • the bottom wall 53 extends at least partially substantially orthogonally to the lateral wall 54, and more in detail the lateral wall 54 is seamlessly jointed with the bottom wall 53, which may be substantially flat so that the hollow body 5 can be laid on a surface resulting stable.
  • the seamless joining of the lateral wall with the bottom wall allows the hollow body 5 suitable to contain liquids and/or solids and/or granular items.
  • the hollow body 5 is monolithic, i.e. realized in a single piece by means of fusion and/or bending processes and the bottom wall 53 and the lateral wall 54 overall define a unique containment wall defining the cup or vase shape; this allows to have a very resistant structure which is easy and cost-effective to produce.
  • the lateral wall 54 ends with a top portion 55 extending along a direction which is substantially inclined with respect to the overall direction defined by the lateral wall 54 itself, and being provided with an outer rim 57 which defines a recess 56 arranged between the outer rim 57 and the top portion 55.
  • the recess 56 defines a concavity facing downwards, in particular at least partially facing the bottom portion of the hollow body 5, which is the portion wherein the lateral wall 54 joins the bottom wall 53.
  • the top portion 55 may alternatively be without the outer rim 57.
  • the hollow body 5 is provided with a shape of a solid of revolution, revolved along a longitudinal axis X and in particular is be provided with a circular outer section, so that the lateral wall 54 is substantially a cylindrical wall. In this way also the inner cavity 58 assumes a substantially cylindrical shape.
  • Figure 4 shows a particular non-limiting embodiment of the hollow body 5 wherein the bottom wall 53 is convex towards the outside.
  • the hollow body 5 may be realized with different capacities, i.e. with different lengths measured along the longitudinal axis X.
  • Figure 5 shows another embodiment of the hollow body 5 which is provided with an inner cavity 58 with a greater volume with respect to that of the embodiment shown in figure 5.
  • the hollow body 5 is contained in the housing pot 3; by providing the housing pot 3 with a convenient length measured on the longitudinal axis X, the housing pot 3 can house hollow bodies 5 of different longitudinal lengths, thereby providing a very flexible adaptability in properly housing items of different volumes or sizes according to the need of the user and/or of the specific use.
  • the lateral wall 54 there may be at least one annular recess which is configured to allow housing an annular sealing member.
  • the lateral walls 54 are provided with two separate annular recesses, one closer to the top portion 55 and one arranged below the first one.
  • the hollow body 5 is conceived for coupling with the covering element 6 shown in figure 2 and, with greater detail, in figures 6 and 7.
  • the overall section of the covering element 6 matches the section of the hollow body 5; in the embodiment represented in the annexed figures, the overall shape in section for the covering element 6 is therefore circular.
  • the covering element 6 is provided with a lateral wall 61 suitable to engage with the hollow body 5 in correspondence of a predefined portion which is - in particular - the top portion 55.
  • a top wall 63 is jointed to the lateral wall 61 , and together with this last provides defining a cavity 64 whose convex towards the outside.
  • the covering element 6 When coupled with the hollow body 5 the covering element 6 is configured to realize and/or to limit an inner volume which is at least temporarily sealed, and which is the sum of at least, and substantially, the volume of the cavity 58 of the hollow body 5 and the volume realized by the concavity of the covering element 6.“Substantially” is recited since any o-ring or sealing member interposed between the hollow body 5 and the covering element 6, albeit compressed, may slightly increase the actual total volume of the “inner volume” with respect to the aforementioned sum.
  • the top wall 63 and the lateral wall 61 of the covering element 6 are monolithic, and/or realized in a single piece. This allows a simple and cost-effective production of the piece. At least the top wall 63 and the lateral wall 61 are realized in metal, preferably with the same metal used for realizing the hollow body 5.
  • the lateral wall 61 is provided with a diameter greater than the diameter of the lateral wall 54 of the hollow body 5, and where the outer rim 57 is present, just slightly greater than the diameter of the outer rim 57 so that in use it can couple with this last for providing a sealing the aperture of the hollow body 5.
  • the heatable container 1 comprises at least a first valve 65, which comprises a first closed configuration and a second open configuration, and which is configured to switch from the first closed configuration to the second open configuration when a pressure exceeds a first predetermined threshold.
  • the first valve 65 may be arranged on said top wall 63, and this configuration is actually represented in the annexed figures.
  • the pressure referenced in the present paragraph is actually the pressure that is present in the inner volume when the covering element 6 is coupled with the hollow body 5.
  • the coupling of the covering element 6 with the hollow body 5 determines a closed configuration for the heatable container.
  • the heatable container 1 further comprises an open configuration wherein the covering element 6 is detached from the hollow body opening the inner volume.
  • the first predetermined threshold is calculated in such a way that the temperature inside the inner volume may rise above a certain predetermined level, e.g. preferably above 100°C and more preferably at least 135°C.
  • a certain predetermined level e.g. preferably above 100°C and more preferably at least 135°C.
  • the pressure of a gas is proportional to the temperature thereof (isochore transformation). Reaching temperatures above 100°C, and preferably 135°C, allows for the device being suitable to properly sterilize items and water.
  • the presence of a the first valve 65 is particularly useful because otherwise the inner volume may result overheated, and the uncontrolled raising of pressure therein may result dangerous.
  • 135°C is a temperature suitable to sterilize surgical instruments; common guidelines identify temperatures of 121 °C or about 132-135°C to sterilize surgical instruments; while temperatures of 121 °C may be kept for several minutes (around 20 minutes) in order to achieve proper killing of microbes, temperatures of about 132-135°C need only to be kept few minutes (e.g. about 4 minutes) in order to obtain proper killing of microbes; therefore, the capacity of withstanding those latter temperatures allows the heatable container 1 to be used to rapidly sterilize surgical instruments.
  • the first valve 65 is configured to automatically switch from the second open configuration to the first closed configuration when the pressure present in the inner volume is below or reduces below the first predetermined threshold.
  • the covering element 6 further comprises a second valve 66 which is flanked to the first valve 65 in correspondence of the top wall 63, but which may be otherwise arranged in another position.
  • the second valve 66 is a security redundant valve configured to limit the pressure in the inner volume in case of failure of the first valve 65.
  • the second valve 66 comprises a first closed configuration and a second open configuration, and is configured to switch from the first closed configuration to the second open configuration when a pressure present in the inner volume when the heatable container 1 is in said closed configuration exceeds a second predetermined pressure threshold and then to keep the second open configuration also when the pressure reduces to a level below the second predetermined pressure threshold.
  • the second predetermined pressure threshold is greater than the first predetermined pressure threshold.
  • the first predetermined pressure threshold may be around 2,2 bar, which corresponds to a temperature of around 136°C, while the second predetermined pressure threshold may be around 3 bar, which corresponds to a temperature of around 144°C.
  • the first and the second valve 65, 66 are properly introduced into holes 67, 68 practiced on the top wall 63, which are closed by the presence of the bodies of the valves.
  • the body of the valves may be in metal, like steel or brass. This ensures proper resistance and lifetime.
  • the housing pot 3 comprises come specific features which are disclosed in detail hereinafter. As it can be seen in figures 2, 8 and 9, the housing pot 3 is configured to at least partially house the hollow body 5 and is at least and preferably fully realized in plastic, e.g. by injection moulding; plastic is a thermally insulating material and does not isolate significantly from electromagnetic fields. Therefore, realizing the housing pot 3 in plastic allows for facilitating the manipulation of the container 1 even if the hollow body 5 and/or covering element 6 are hot, without deteriorating significantly the effectiveness of the induced field on the hollow body. Even though the housing pot 3 is disclosed to be in plastic, this feature shall not be intended to be limiting, since for realizing the technical effect of providing a thermal insulation for the user when the hollow body 5 is warm or hot, any other material suitable to provide thermal insulation may be used.
  • the housing pot 3 is provided with a bottom wall 33 substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis X and a lateral wall 34, 35 substantially orthogonal to the bottom wall.
  • the overall shape of the housing pot 3 may be preferably that of a solid of revolution and in fact, in the annexed figures, it assumes a shape of a circular vase.
  • the inner side of the housing pot 3 defines a cavity which substantially matches the form of the lateral wall 54 and/or bottom wall 53 of the hollow body 5.
  • Engagement elements 37 are present on the housing pot 3 in order to detachably cooperate with the closing cap 2.
  • engagement elements 37 are realized in a form of a screw threading on the outer face of the top portion of the lateral wall 34, and are configured with a corresponding screw threading on the inner face of the lateral wall of the closing cap 2.
  • the housing pot 3 is provided with a plurality of air passage apertures 31 , 32 at least partially arranged on the lateral wall 34, 35 and/or on the bottom wall 33, said air passage apertures 31 , 32 being configured to let an air flow pass at least partially into the cavity for cooling down the hollow body 5.
  • the air passage apertures 31 , 32 comprise: - at least a first, preferably a plurality of first, upper apertures 31 arranged at a first height, and
  • the air passage apertures 31 , 32 comprise a plurality of first, upper, apertures 31 arranged at a first and upper height on the lateral wall 34, and a plurality of second, lower, apertures 32 arranged at a second and lower height on the lateral wall 34.
  • the air passage apertures 31 , 32 comprise a plurality of first, upper, apertures 31 arranged at a first and upper height on the lateral wall 34 and a plurality of bottom apertures 39 arranged on the bottom wall 33; in this case, preferably, the bottom apertures 39 each one comprise a slotted hole radially aligned or anyway extending for a maximum elongation direction from the center of the bottom wall 33 to the junction with the lateral wall 34.
  • the upper apertures 31 are arranged in correspondence of the top portion of the lateral wall 34.
  • embodiments of the housing pot 3 may be provided with the above referenced upper apertures 31 , lower apertures 32 and bottom apertures 39.
  • the first upper aperture 31 , or the plurality of first upper apertures 31 and/or the second lower aperture 32, or the plurality of second lower apertures 32 principally extend on a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis X of the heatable container 1 , or principally extend on a direction inclined less than 90°, preferably less than 75°, with respect to the longitudinal axis X of the heatable container 1.
  • first upper aperture 31 or the plurality of first upper apertures 31 and/or the second lower aperture 32, or the plurality of second lower apertures 32 are arranged radially over the entire development of the lateral wall 34, 35 and/or of the bottom wall 33. This assists uniform radial passage of air.
  • the scope of the air passage apertures, and in particular of the first and second aperture and/or when present of the bottom aperture, or the plurality of first and second apertures and/or when present of the bottom apertures is to to allow and/or help convective flow of air between outside the lateral wall 34, 35 and the cavity of the housing pot 3.
  • those apertures assist the correct distribution of the air throughout the entire surface of the lateral wall 54 of the hollow element 5, thereby assisting the most possible distribution of heat on the lateral and/or bottom surface of the hollow element 5, and prevent overheating of certain specific limited areas; in case the hollow element 5 shall be cooled down before being extracted from the housing pot 3, the air passage apertures are configured to assist a correct distribution of air that speeds up the process of cooling.
  • the lateral wall 34 of the housing pot 3 comprises an upper portion 35, which is the portion substantially more proximal to the engagement elements 37, of a greater external size, in particular of a greater diameter, and a lower portion 34, which is the portion substantially more proximal to the bottom wall 33, of a smaller external size, in particular of a lower diameter.
  • the upper portion 35 forms a part of the lateral wall which is inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis X, while the lower portion 34 defines a portion of lateral wall being substantially parallel with respect to the longitudinal axis X of the heatable container.
  • the inner side of the housing pot 3 there is a plurality of ribs 36, each one extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis X and radially protruding from the whole internal surface of the lateral wall being separated each other by a predefined and constant angle or distance.
  • the upper apertures 31 are each one arranged between two consecutive ribs 36.
  • the ribs 36 provide reinforcement to the structure of the housing pot 3 and further realize a centering element for the hollow body 5, assisting the centering thereof inside the cavity defined by the lateral wall and/or by the bottom wall. Through the ribs 36 an uniform annular interspace, centered on the longitudinal axis X and defined between the hollow body 5 and the inner face of the lateral wall 34 is therefore realized.
  • Figure 10 shows further details of the covering cap 2, which is provided by a lateral wall 21 , which - in the embodiments shown in the annexed figures - is circular, so as to match the engagement elements 37 of the housing pot 3.
  • the covering cap 2 is further provided by a top wall 22, that in a non-limiting embodiment may be provided with a central hole (in figure 10, a circular cylindrical hole) which is configured to house a part of the first valve 65 and/or of the second valve 66, and to allow a passage for the air that may exit therefrom when the first and/or second pressure thresholds are exceeded.
  • the covering cap 2 is configured to at least partially and preferably fully house the covering element 6, in particular within the cavity formed by the lateral wall 21 and by the top wall 22, and when it is connected to the engagement elements 37, in particular screwed thereon, it forces or pushes the covering element 6 against the hollow body 5 thereby sealing the inner volume and realizing the first closed configuration mentioned before for the heatable container 1.
  • the top wall 22 may be provided with a grilled venting hole 27 instead of the central cylindrical hole, that albeit allows a passage for the air that may exit therefrom when the first and/or second pressure thresholds are exceeded, covers the portion of the valves from a full sight.
  • a sealing member 7 substantially a compressible o-ring, which according to a preferred embodiment may be a dovetailed o-ring.
  • FIG 11 shows a particular embodiment of the heatable container 1 wherein the closing cap 2 is provided with an electronic module comprising an RFId tag, in turn comprising a memory wherein data concerning the heatable container 1 may be stored; in detail, the memory may contain an univocal identification code of the heatable container 1 and further data concerning the cycles of heating to which the hollow body 5 is subjected.
  • an activation pushbutton 2 On the top wall of the closing cap 2 an activation pushbutton 2 may be provided, and operating LEDs 29, 26 may be conveniently provided to let the user know statuses of the heatable container 1 , for example the heating of the hollow body 5 and/or the presence of pressure inside the inner volume.
  • the RFid tag may be a fully passive RFId tag or, in contrast, an active RFId tag.
  • the heatable container 1 further comprises a battery electrically connected at least to the RFid tag and that may be wirelessly recharged, e.g. by electromagnetic induction.
  • the electromagnetic induction required to at least partially recharge the battery is the same electromagnetic induction required to heat-up the hollow body 5.
  • the top wall of the closing cap 2 may be provided with air passage holes configured to assist a venture effect in the interspace realized between the hollow body 5 and the housing pot 3.
  • a handle 4 may be provided on the closing cap 2 .
  • the handle 4 has at least a first operative configuration wherein it does not protrude from the overall shape defined by the closing cap 2 and a second operative configuration wherein it protrudes from the shape defined by the closing cap 2; in a preferred and non-limiting embodiment, the handle 4 is substantially rigid and hinged to the closing cap 2 in correspondence of at least one rotation point, preferably two opposite rotation points. This latter solution is actually represented in the annexed figures.
  • the heatable container 1 may be provided with a temperature sensor configured to read the temperature of the hollow body 5 and/or of the covering element 6; the temperature sensor may be preferably operatively connected with the RFid tag in order to make the heatable container 1 suitable to transmit temperature data concerning the temperature of the hollow body 5 and/or of the covering element 6; the transmission of said temperature data may be performed in real time or on demand. Otherwise, should the RFid tag not be present, the temperature sensor may be provided with a small radio transmitter conceived to transmit the temperature data. Temperature data may be transmitted to the heating device 100 which is described in detail in the subsequent portion of the description.
  • Figure 12 shows a non-limiting configuration of use for the heatable container according to the present disclosure, wherein a deformable nipple 10 is attached to a supporting ring 9 in turn fixed on the engagement element 37; this way, the heatable container 1 may realize a sort of sippy cup that may be used to let children drink sterilized beverages like water o milk, without contacting heated metal parts.
  • the deformable nipple 10 and the supporting ring 9 are attached to the engagement element 37 after the closing cap 2 is removed.
  • the hollow body 5 is configured to engage directly with the covering element 6; here, the closed configuration of the heatable container 1 is realized by directly coupling the covering element 6 with the hollow body 5; the open configuration of the heatable container 1 is realized by uncoupling the covering element 6 with the hollow body 5.
  • the covering element 6 is provided with one or more of the features described before, in particular the presence of the first valve and/or the second valve. The fact that figure 15 depicts the covering element 6 without presence of valves shall not be intended as limiting for the embodiment here described.
  • the at least temporary sealing of the inner volume is realized by screwing the covering element 6 onto a threaded portion 58t of the hollow body 5.
  • the threaded portion 58t of the hollow body is provided in correspondence of a top portion of the lateral wall 54 and/or in substantial correspondence of the opening thereof. More in particular, the threaded portion 58t is provided in correspondence of the outer rim 57, and may be provided either directly on the outer rim 57 itself (this solution is not represented in the annexed figures) or (as shown in the annexed figures) on a ring solidly jointed with the outer rim 57.
  • the threaded portion may be realized either on the top portion of the lateral wall or on an annular rim solidly jointed with the lateral wall 54.
  • the threaded portion 58 protrudes outwardly and is configured to engage with another threaded portion 68 of the covering element 6, in particular arranged on the bottom portion of the lateral wall 61 thereof.
  • the threaded portion 68 of the covering element 6 faces inwardly and may either be realized directly on the lateral wall 61 of the covering element 6 (this solution is not represented in the annexed figures) or (as shown in the annexed figures) may be provided on a ring rigidly fixed to the lateral wall 61 thereof.
  • the rings are preferably realized in metal, and this allows for providing an overall robustness for the assembly covering element 6 - hollow body 5 for withstanding the pressures herein disclosed.
  • the assembly covering element 6 - hollow body 5 may be introduced and extracted as a single piece from the cavity of the housing pot 3.
  • the closing cap 2 can be further provided, and particularly connected as described for the previous embodiment, in order to provide an axial force, in particular parallel to the longitudinal axis X, to press the covering element 6 against the hollow body 5.
  • the heatable container herein described may be further provided with a bottom wall 33 provided with at least one, preferably a plurality of, through-holes that are conceived for housing spacers 38f, substantially resembling rivets, that are conceived for keeping the bottom wall 53 of the hollow body 5 at a predetermined distance from the bottom wall 33 of the housing pot 3.
  • the spacers 38f thus provide for letting air circulate between the bottom wall 53 of the hollow body 5 and the bottom wall 33 of the housing pot 3, and thereby are suitable to allow better and/or faster and/or more uniform cooling of the hollow body 5 after the heating cycle is completed.
  • Figure 16 shows the presence of two axially opposite through- holes, but clearly this configuration shall not be intended as limiting.
  • the spacers 38f are realized in metal, more preferably in stainless steel. Spacers similar to those of the housing pot 3 may be in addition or alternatively provided also on the closing cap 2.
  • Figure 13 shows another embodiment of the heatable container, wherein the hollow body 110 is in a form of a metal canister 110 or keg, suitable to contain preferably liquids.
  • Traditional sizes for kegs vary from 5 to above 50 liters of capacity.
  • the metal canister 110 is provided with an annular base 1 13 and the lateral wall protrudes above the opening, which therefore results recessed; the opening is arranged in correspondence of a small neck, centered on the longitudinal axis X and arranged on a top wall which extends transversally from the lateral wall of the metal canister and substantially closes as like the previous embodiments, the opening may be closed by a covering element 6 at least partially housed in the closing cap 2, but in this latter case the threading on the inner side of the lateral wall of the closing cap 2 engages on a corresponding engagement element which is realized directly on the hollow body, in particular on an engagement portion thereof protruding from a top wall and arranged in correspondence of the opening.
  • the lateral wall of the hollow body 110 ends with a supporting ring 112, preferably rounded, below which at least a first, and preferably a first and a second slotted holes 1 1 1 are realized so that to provide handles. Thanks to the recessing, also when the closing cap 2 is properly connected, several metal canisters 110 may be stacked one on the other simply making the annular base 1 13 rest on the supporting ring of the lower canister, without the risk of damaging the closing cap or any part of the underlying canisters.
  • a heating device 100 configured to heat containers by means of an electromagnetic field induction, and which is in particular configured to cooperate with a heatable container 1 according to the present disclosure.
  • the heating device 100 comprises a body 101 preferably of a boxed shape which is provided with at least one aperture 106 for introducing at least a part of a heatable container 1.
  • the aperture 106 opens on the top wall 104 of the body 101 and presents a section which substantially matches the outer shape of the housing pot 3.
  • the heating device comprises an inductor of electromagnetic field 102, comprising at least one and preferably a plurality of windings or coils realized of a conductive material; on the electromagnetic field inductor 102 a variable current is induced, with the result of creating an electromagnetic field around the inductor; the variable current is induced between two connections 1 12 which are fed by a power circuit, part of the heating device 100.
  • the windings are axially aligned with the aperture 106 and define an empty space suitable to house at least a part of the housing pot 3, in such a way that at least part of the hollow body 5 is vertically aligned into the windings.
  • the diameter of the empty space defined by the windings of the electromagnetic field inductor is the same diameter of the aperture 106.
  • the ventilation element 105 may be realized by an electrically-powered tangential ventilator and/or may be configured for conveying or forcing the air flow in aspiration from the outside of the body 101 , or equivalently from the aperture 106. In such a way, when activated, the ventilation element 105 forces an aspiration air flow from the upper part of the heatable container 1 to the lower part of the heatable container 1 ; this helps traditional convection of air and furthermore helps retaining the heatable container 1 in the seat realized by the cavity below the aperture.
  • suction caused by the ventilation element 105 forces air to pass into the heatable container 1 through the air passage apertures of the same, and exerts a force of traction of the heatable container 1 to the inner side of the body 101.
  • the heating device 100 is provide with an electromagnetic field inductor 102 with hollow induction members, which are configured to allow the flow of liquids, in particular water. Water is kept in motion preferably by active circulation means suitable to provide forced circulation in the hollow induction members. Thanks to this aspect, the electromagnetic field inductor 102 may be cooled down more easily even in small, closed boxes, and in a time less than the time it would be required if a traditional, non-water-cooled, inductor would be used; in addition, overheating of the electromagnetic field inductor 102 may be prevented, and the heating device 100 may be used also in very hot environments with safe operation.
  • the heated water that exits from the hollow induction members may be further used to pre-heat the electromagnetic field inductor 102 when further used for heating-up some other heatable containers 1.
  • the hollow induction members are configured to electrically insulate water from the current that is made flow when the power circuit is activated.
  • the power circuit is configured to feed the electromagnetic field inductor 102 with a variable current suitable of generating an electromagnetic field having, at least temporarily, at least one predetermined frequency, which is comprised between 10kHz, preferably 20kHz, and 1200kHz, preferably 1000 kHz.
  • the electromagnetic field in a first configuration the electromagnetic field may be a single - fixed - frequency electromagnetic field, wherein the frequency value lies within the range above described.
  • the electromagnetic field induced by the electromagnetic field inductor 102 is variable in frequency, preferably with a sweep between a first value and a second value. This optimizes the induction in various types of materials.
  • the waveform of the current fed to the electromagnetic field inductor 102 may be of a suitable shape, e.g. - in a non-limiting extent - sinusoidal, or triangular, or squared or a combination thereof, and/or may be modulated by means of a PWM modulation technique, and/or may be provided or fed with a variable duty cycle.
  • a data processing unit 107 installed in the body, manages the power circuit and provides for example of the selection of the appropriate frequency to use for the electromagnetic field inductor.
  • the data processing unit 107 further controls an RFId module 108 which is configured to query the RFId module installed on the heatable container 1 ; for example, the data processing unit 107 may be configured to transmit data to store in the memory of the heatable container 1 when a heating cycle is completed, for example storing the temperature reached or the amount of time of induction.
  • the heating device 100 may be provided with a radio receiver configured to receive the temperature data transmitted by the temperature sensor which may be installed on the heatable container 1 ; the data processing unit 107 may be configured to read the temperature data transmitted provided through the temperature sensor installed on the heatable container 1 , and to provide alteration, in particular a reduction of the electric current fed to the electromagnetic field inductor 102 and/or a stopping in feeding the electric current to the electromagnetic field inductor 102 (thereby stopping and/or completing the heating cycle) when said temperature data exceed a predetermined temperature threshold.
  • the heating device 100 may comprise a weight sensor that is configured to detect whether the heatable container 1 is empty or not; the weight sensor may be conveniently connected with the data processing unit 107; thus the data processing unit 107, when receiving a signal from the weight sensor corresponding to a condition wherein the heatable container 1 is empty, may be configured to automatically stop the induction of electromagnetic field or, otherwise, to impede the activation of the power circuit so that no induction takes place.
  • the heating device 100 may further comprise a temperature sensor 103, preferably connected to the data processing unit 107; the temperature sensor 103 is configured to measure the temperature of the hollow body 5, in such a way to transmit a feedback signal to the data processing unit 107, in order to control the power of the induced electromagnetic field and/or the frequency thereof and/or the duty cycle of the variable current induced in the electromagnetic field inductor 102 or to stop the induction. It may be noticed that the temperature sensor 103 indirectly cooperates with at least the first valve 65 to define a double control of temperature within the inner volume.
  • the temperature sensor 103 may be a sensor configured to measure temperature by means of a direct contact with the hollow body 5; alternatively, in another embodiment, the temperature sensor may be a contactless sensor, suitable to measure the temperature of a body without touching it.
  • the user first opens the heatable container 1 and separates the covering element 6 from the hollow body 5 in order to gain access to its cavity. Then, items are properly stored in the hollow body 5.
  • the cavity of the hollow body 5 is sealed back with the coupling of the covering element 6, so that to realize the so called“inner volume” which is at least temporarily sealed from the outside environment.
  • the heatable container 1 is introduced in the opening 106, and the power circuit of the heating device 100 is activated, so that the electromagnetic field inductor 102 is fed with a current suitable to induce an electromagnetic field on the hollow body 5.
  • the heatable container 1 is therefore subjected to at least a first heating cycle, which comprises: - starting the induction of an electromagnetic field on the hollow body 5 so that the hollow body 5 and/or the at least one item contained therein is/are heated,
  • the data processing unit 107 may be so programmed, several heating cycles may be automatically performed on the heatable container 1 in order to achieve certain levels of heating or sterilization.
  • the stopping of the induction of the electromagnetic field may be performed in accordance to a heat feedback signal received from the temperature sensor 103.
  • the process of heating comprises automatically activating (in particular with the electronic management provided by the data processing unit 107) fluid circulation means for letting water circulate in the hollow induction members, so that to provide cooling for the electromagnetic field inductor 102 during the induction of the electromagnetic field on the hollow body 5; optionally, albeit preferably, the process of heating may comprise using the water already circulated in the coils or hollow induction members of the electromagnetic field inductor 102 for pre-heating the electromagnetic field inductor 102 before starting the induction of an electromagnetic field on the hollow body 5 in a subsequent heating cycle.
  • the process may comprise cooling the hollow body 5 at the end of the induction my means of an activation, in particular an automatic activation of the ventilation element 105, preferably by conveying the air flow from the upper side of the hollow body 5 and/or of the heatable container 1 to a lower side thereof.
  • a software program may be stored; such software program comprises software code portions that once executed cause the performace of one or more of the actions disclosed in the previous part of the description and in particular one or more of the following actions:
  • a radio receiver of the heating device 100 for receiving temperature data transmitted from a remote entity, and/or providing an adaptation and/or stopping of the electric current fed to the electromagnetic field inductor 102 and/or stopping or completing an heating cycle and/or prodiving an adaptation and/or stopping of the electromagnetic field fed to the hollow body 5.
  • the data processing unit may be a general purpose processor specifically configured to operate according to the present disclosure as above described, or may be an ASIC or dedicated processor.
  • the data processing unit is associated to a non-transitory memory support suitable to store the above described software program.
  • the heatable container may be conveniently used for heating and/or sterilizing items, in particular items to be used for feeding and/or to be used in medical procedures and/or fluid items like for example and in a non-limiting extent, spoons, forks, knives, surgical instruments, water, milk, tea, meat.
  • the heatable container of the present disclosure is easy to use, cost-effective to produce and may be effectively used also in developing countries and in any other place wherein guarantee of sterilization or proper thermal treatment of items may not be present.
  • the heating element 100 may be used to heat-up items contained in any container suitable to be heated by means of electromagnetic field radiation, and is particularly effective when used with the heatable container object of the present disclosure.
  • the heating element 100 is free from production of toxic or harmful gases, does not require combustibles to be operated and can be fed by electric energy coming from renewable sources of energy, e.g. be connected to solar panels or, otherwise, to a battery.
  • the invention is not limited to the embodiment/s illustrated in the drawings. Accordingly, it should be understood that where features mentioned in the appended claims are followed by reference signs, such signs are included solely for the purpose of enhancing the intelligibility of the claims and are in no way limiting on the scope of the claims.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Epidemiology (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • Medicinal Chemistry (AREA)
  • Molecular Biology (AREA)
  • Food Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Thermotherapy And Cooling Therapy Devices (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un récipient pouvant être chauffé (1), configuré de façon à renfermer des articles devant être chauffés et/ou cuits et/ou stérilisés à l'aide d'une induction de champ électromagnétique, lequel récipient (1) comprend : - un corps creux (5 ; 110), au moins partiellement réalisé en métal, comprenant une ouverture, une paroi latérale (54) et une paroi inférieure (53) réunie à la paroi latérale (54) ; - un élément de recouvrement (6), configuré de façon à être couplé de manière détachable au corps creux (5 ; 110) afin de constituer un volume interne au moins temporairement scellé ; - un capuchon de fermeture (2), configuré de façon à coopérer avec l'élément de recouvrement (6) et/ou à renfermer au moins partiellement l'élément de recouvrement (6) ; et lequel récipient pouvant être chauffé (1) comprend au moins : - une configuration fermée dans laquelle l'élément de recouvrement (6) est couplé au corps creux (5 ; 110) en correspondance avec l'ouverture de celui-ci, constituant et/ou définissant le volume interne au moins temporairement scellé ; - une configuration ouverte dans laquelle l'élément de recouvrement (6) est détaché vis-à-vis du corps creux (5 ; 110), ouvrant le volume interne.
PCT/IB2019/052406 2019-03-25 2019-03-25 Récipient pouvant être chauffé, dispositif de chauffage et procédé associé WO2020194028A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/IB2019/052406 WO2020194028A1 (fr) 2019-03-25 2019-03-25 Récipient pouvant être chauffé, dispositif de chauffage et procédé associé

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/IB2019/052406 WO2020194028A1 (fr) 2019-03-25 2019-03-25 Récipient pouvant être chauffé, dispositif de chauffage et procédé associé

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WO2020194028A1 true WO2020194028A1 (fr) 2020-10-01

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Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
AT525168B1 (de) * 2021-08-12 2023-01-15 Franz Leibetseder Dipl Ing Walter Kochgeschirr für ein Induktionskochfeld

Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4551311A (en) * 1981-11-23 1985-11-05 Georg Wagner Kg Sterilizer container
JPH0245377A (ja) * 1988-08-05 1990-02-15 Furubayashi Shiko Kk 食品用容器
US5019345A (en) * 1986-05-22 1991-05-28 Wagner Gmbh Method for sterilizing containers
JPH08224163A (ja) * 1995-12-21 1996-09-03 Toshiba Home Technol Corp 電磁誘導加熱式調理器の調理容器
US20030091471A1 (en) * 2000-04-25 2003-05-15 Jean-Paul Lacabanne Set for sterilising medical instruments or appliances
EP1811475A1 (fr) * 2006-01-20 2007-07-25 PepsiCo, Inc. Procédé et appareil de chauffage à induction d'un récipient alimentaire
US20150272385A1 (en) * 2012-12-12 2015-10-01 The Vollrath Company, L.L.C. Three dimensional induction rethermalizing stations and control systems
WO2015155625A1 (fr) 2014-04-10 2015-10-15 Gazzelli Mauro Récipient pour la stérilisation d'objets et système de stérilisation comprenant ledit récipient
US9967924B2 (en) * 2014-02-25 2018-05-08 James Heczko Package for storing consumable product, induction heating apparatus for heating package and system including same

Patent Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4551311A (en) * 1981-11-23 1985-11-05 Georg Wagner Kg Sterilizer container
US5019345A (en) * 1986-05-22 1991-05-28 Wagner Gmbh Method for sterilizing containers
JPH0245377A (ja) * 1988-08-05 1990-02-15 Furubayashi Shiko Kk 食品用容器
JPH08224163A (ja) * 1995-12-21 1996-09-03 Toshiba Home Technol Corp 電磁誘導加熱式調理器の調理容器
US20030091471A1 (en) * 2000-04-25 2003-05-15 Jean-Paul Lacabanne Set for sterilising medical instruments or appliances
EP1811475A1 (fr) * 2006-01-20 2007-07-25 PepsiCo, Inc. Procédé et appareil de chauffage à induction d'un récipient alimentaire
US20150272385A1 (en) * 2012-12-12 2015-10-01 The Vollrath Company, L.L.C. Three dimensional induction rethermalizing stations and control systems
US9967924B2 (en) * 2014-02-25 2018-05-08 James Heczko Package for storing consumable product, induction heating apparatus for heating package and system including same
WO2015155625A1 (fr) 2014-04-10 2015-10-15 Gazzelli Mauro Récipient pour la stérilisation d'objets et système de stérilisation comprenant ledit récipient

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
AT525168B1 (de) * 2021-08-12 2023-01-15 Franz Leibetseder Dipl Ing Walter Kochgeschirr für ein Induktionskochfeld
AT525168A4 (de) * 2021-08-12 2023-01-15 Franz Leibetseder Dipl Ing Walter Kochgeschirr für ein Induktionskochfeld

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