Refrigeration – Processes – Treating an article
Reexamination Certificate
2000-09-21
2001-10-23
Tapolcai, William E. (Department: 3744)
Refrigeration
Processes
Treating an article
C062S293000, C062S372000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06305175
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to containers.
There have been many proposals for self-heating or self-cooling containers. Generally, however, these proposals have required entirely new configurations of containers to be provided which cannot be used on existing filling lines. Such containers therefore require a heavy investment by beverage manufacturers. Other proposals require the heating or cooling means to be incorporated within the container before it is filled. This generally prevents pasteurising, sterilising, or other treatments being made on the contents of the container because of the risk of damaging or adversely affecting the heating or cooling means.
It is an object of the present invention to seek to reduce the disadvantages of prior proposals.
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a container for a beverage having a tubular peripheral wall defining two spaced open ends, one open end being closed by a top member, and the other open end being closed by a base member, said peripheral wall and the top and base members defining an internal cavity for containing a beverage, wherein said base member is indented to define an external cavity which extends within said peripheral wall substantially along the longitudinal axis of said container, wherein said external cavity extends within the internal cavity, but is separated therefrom by said base member, and wherein said external cavity extends over a major part of the length of said longitudinal axis.
The external cavity may be provided in any conventional container without affecting the external configuration or size of the container, although it does reduce the capacity thereof. This means that a container of an embodiment of the invention can be filled on existing filling lines without difficulty. Furthermore, because of its longitudinal extent, the external cavity provides a large surface area in contact with the contents of the container for maximum heat transfer.
The present invention also extends to a container for a beverage having a tubular peripheral wall defining two spaced open ends, one open end being closed by a top member, and the other open end being closed by a base member, said peripheral wall and the top and base members defining an internal cavity for containing a beverage, wherein said base member is indented to define an external cavity which extends within said peripheral wall substantially along the longitudinal axis of said container, wherein said external cavity extends within the internal cavity, but is separated therefrom by said base member, and wherein an elongate insert is retained within said external cavity.
Preferably, the insert may be selected from a plurality of different inserts whereby one design of container may be arranged to be self-heating, or self-cooling, or cool retaining, or heat retaining, at the choice of the manufacturer, retailer or user in dependence upon the insert chosen.
In a preferred embodiment, the base member is formed from sheet material, preferably of a conductive material. In this respect, for good heat transfer it is important to retain good heat conductivity between the insert in the external cavity and the contents in the internal cavity of the container. Thus, the sheet material of the base member is generally metal, preferably aluminium.
In an embodiment, the sheet material of the base member is shaped to form a peripheral defining wall of said external cavity. It will be appreciated that one surface of said peripheral defining wall will be within the external cavity, and that the opposed surface of the peripheral defining wall will be within the internal cavity.
Preferably, at least said opposed surface of said peripheral defining wall has means to extend its surface area.
Such surface area extending means may be, for example, vanes or other configurations provided on said opposed surface. The use of an extended surface area aids in heat transfer.
The container, and its external cavity, may be of any appropriate shape, configuration and size. In a preferred embodiment, the tubular peripheral wall is substantially cylindrical defining, for example, a generally cylindrical container or can.
Preferably, the external cavity is substantially cylindrical with a domed, closed end.
The container may be made by any appropriate means. For example, the container may be manufactured in two parts. Presently, it is envisaged that the container will be manufactured in three parts, namely, the shaped base member, the peripheral wall, and the top member.
The container may be of any appropriate material, for example, of plastics material. However, as it is generally required that the peripheral defining wall of the external cavity be of metal or other conductive material, it is presently preferred that the rest of the container be made of the same material. The metal of the container may be, for example, aluminium.
It may be required to insulate the contents of the container and/or to protect users from the extreme heat or cold of the container. In this respect, the outer surface of the peripheral wall may be insulated in any required manner. For example, an outer wrapper of a plastics material may be provided on the exterior of the peripheral wall.
In an alternative embodiment the peripheral wall, at least, of the container may be made of a plastics material sufficiently thick to provide for heat insulation.
One or more elongate inserts may be provided for retention within the external cavity of the container.
It is preferred that a range of inserts be provided so that a range of containers with different functions may similarly be provided.
Generally, it is preferred that the insert is arranged to be retained by a push fit within the external cavity. Not only does this simplify the retention of the insert, but it also ensures good heat conducting contact between the insert and between the peripheral defining wall of the external cavity.
Preferably, the insert is shaped to have an external configuration which is substantially the same as the internal configuration of the external cavity. For example, each insert may be substantially cylindrical with a domed top and a planar base.
The insert may be arranged to keep the contents of a container cool. For example, the insert may comprise a freezable material. This material is preferably one which melts at less than 5° C., for example, water, heavy water or a freezable gel. It will be appreciated that if a frozen insert is inserted into the external cavity of a cooled container, the insert will act to absorb heat from the contents of the container, such heat tending to melt the frozen material of the insert. Such a frozen insert may be effective in keeping the container contents chilled for up to 8 hours.
Such a frozen insert may also be used to cool the contents of the container in the first instance, but such cooling may be rather slow.
If cooling of the contents is required, it is proposed that an insert be provided which is a cooling element. For example, the insert may be an electrically powered cooling element, or a cooling element relying upon chemical reactions. In one embodiment, the cooling element is a gas cylinder with controllable vent means for venting the gas to atmosphere when cooling thereof, and of the container contents, is required.
Alternatively, the insert may comprise a heating element. Such a heating element may be chemically powered or electrically powered, for example.
Where electrical power is required this may be provided by batteries incorporated within the insert. Additionally, and/or alternatively, the insert may be connectable to an external electrical source such as the mains, or to a car or other external battery.
Preferably, a bottom cap is provided to extend across base of the external cavity when the insert is retained therein. Such a cap may act to deny accidental access to the insert, and to any control means provided thereon.
The present invention also extends to an elongate insert for receipt within an external cavity defined in a beverage container.
R
Searle Matthew J.
Taft Carden H.
Nixon & Vanderhye PC
Tapolcai William E.
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