Metal working – Method of mechanical manufacture – Assembling or joining
Reexamination Certificate
1999-01-13
2001-07-03
Hughes, S. Thomas (Department: 3726)
Metal working
Method of mechanical manufacture
Assembling or joining
C029S505000, C029S428000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06253440
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to self-cooling and self-heating fluid containers and more specifically to such a container which includes a heat exchange unit affixed internally thereof and which is portable and disposable.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
Many foods and beverages available in portable containers are preferably consumed when they are chilled, for example, carbonated soft drinks, fruit drinks, beer, water, puddings and gelatins and the like are preferably consumed with temperature varying between 35° Fahrenheit and 50° Fahrenheit. When the convenience of refrigerators or ice is not available, such as when fishing, camping, on the beach or the like, the task of cooling these foods or beverages prior to consumption is made more difficult. In such circumstances one normally is required to utilize an ice chest and to provide ice which will last only a limited period of time and is bulky, difficult to handle and requires draining of the melted ice from time to time. In such circumstances it is highly desirable to have a method for rapidly cooling the contents of the containers prior to consumption without the necessity of these prior art inconveniences.
The prior art is replete such self-cooling beverage containers. Generally, such containers utilize a refrigerant, gas of some type, or an endothermic reaction to provide the cooling means. Typical of such self-cooling devices known to applicant for chilling beverages and the like are exemplified by the structures disclosed in the U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,746,265; 1,897,723; 2,882,691; 2,460,765; 3,373,581; 3,636,726; 3,726,106; 4,584,848; 4,656,838; 4,784,678; 5,214,933; 5,285,812; 5,325,680 and 5,331,817.
Many of these prior art structures utilize an activation process wherein the pulltab which is utilized for removing the cooled contents of the beverage can is also utilized as the activating device to release the refrigerant from a heat exchange unit which is contained internally within the beverage can. In some instances, a differential pressure generated within the beverage can is utilized to effect activation of the heat exchange unit to release the refrigerant contained therein to cool the beverage. Although these structures function quite adequately to release the refrigerant to conduct the heat contained within the food or beverage away from the food or beverage and thereby to cool it, it has been found that such structures are complicated, expensive to produce and sometimes interfere with the consumption of the beverage from the can.
As a result, it has been recognized in the art that it is more effective and efficient to separate the activation of the heat exchange unit from the removal of the food or beverage contents subsequent to the cooling step. This has been accomplished by placing the heat exchange unit in the bottom of the can and the pull-tab at the top of the can as it is traditionally located. Examples of the such prior art apparatus are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,656,838 and 4,555,741. In each of these prior art applications the heat exchange unit is affixed to the bottom of the beverage can and is also actuated from the bottom of the beverage can. The actuation in each instance includes a mechanism for puncturing a wall or diaphragm located in the bottom of the can which closes and seals the heat exchange unit. Although these structures solve some of the problems of the prior art, the mechanisms utilized are difficult to construct and do not provide adequate protection against inadvertent activation of the HEU.
Prior art devices also exist which provide an exothermic reaction to in situ heat food or beverages. Such devices are convenient and useful in the same manner and for the same reasons as above set forth with respect to self-cooling containers. One example of such a prior art device is disclosed in prior art U.S. Pat. No. 5,620,022. Although the heat exchange unit for that structure is affixed in the can bottom and is separately activated, the structure is complex and expensive to manufacture.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A method of manufacturing a container having a heat exchange unit therein which includes removing a predetermined amount of material from the central part of the bottom of the container, forming a flange extending substantially perpendicular with respect to the bottom and surrounding the opening, and affixing a heat exchange unit to the flange.
A can which includes a top and bottom and having a heat exchange unit affixed to the bottom of the can by a flange formed integrally with the bottom of the can. The heat exchange unit and a valve cup disposed on each side of the flange and permanently affixed to the flange by forming.
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Chill-Can International, Inc.
Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P.
Hughes S. Thomas
Jimenez Marc
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