U.S. patent application number 10/116111 was filed with the patent office on 2002-09-19 for self-heating or self-cooling containers.
Invention is credited to Searle, Matthew J..
Application Number | 20020129610 10/116111 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26315979 |
Filed Date | 2002-09-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020129610 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Searle, Matthew J. |
September 19, 2002 |
Self-heating or self-cooling containers
Abstract
A self-heating metal can (10) has an indented base (16) defining
an external cavity (20) which is utilised to contain beating means.
The heating means comprises quicklime (26) filled within a first
chamber (28) and water within a second chamber (32) of the cavity
(20). A breakable membrane (24) separates the two chambers (28, 32)
and the second chamber (32) is closed by closure (30). Depression
of a button (50) of the closure moves an elongate piercing member
(42) to pierce the membrane (24) so that water from the chamber
(32) flows over the quicklime (22) to cause the exothermic
reaction.
Inventors: |
Searle, Matthew J.; (Bruton,
GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
NIXON & VANDERHYE P.C.
8th Floor
1100 North Glebe Road
Arlington
VA
22201
US
|
Family ID: |
26315979 |
Appl. No.: |
10/116111 |
Filed: |
April 5, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10116111 |
Apr 5, 2002 |
|
|
|
PCT/GB00/03844 |
Oct 6, 2000 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
62/4 ;
126/263.08; 126/263.09; 62/60 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 81/3484 20130101;
A47J 36/28 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
62/4 ; 62/60;
126/263.08; 126/263.09 |
International
Class: |
F25D 005/00; B65B
063/08; F24J 001/00; F24J 003/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 6, 1999 |
GB |
9923573.1 |
Nov 11, 1999 |
GB |
9926735.3 |
Claims
1. A self-heating or self-cooling container having a tubular
peripheral wall, a top member closing one end of the peripheral
wall, and a base member closing the other end of the peripheral
wall, an internal cavity for the contents of the container being
defined within the peripheral wall, wherein the base member is
indented to define an external cavity which extends within the
peripheral wall but is separated from the internal cavity, and
wherein means for heating or cooling the contents of the container
are received within said external cavity, said heating or cooling
means comprising a breakable membrane dividing the external cavity
into first and second chambers, a first reactant material sealed
within the first chamber by said breakable membrane, a closure
member closing said second chamber to retain a second reactant
material therein, and piercing means movable to break or pierce the
breakable membrane whereby said first and second reactant materials
can mix.
2. A self-heating or self-cooling container as claimed in claim 1,
further comprising pressure venting means associated with the
closure member and/or with the container.
3. A self-heating or self-cooling container as claimed in claim 2,
wherein a one way valve or seal is associated with the closure.
4. A container for facilitating the mixing of first and second
materials, the container comprising a cavity, a breakable membrane
dividing the cavity into first and second chambers, a first
material sealed within the first chamber by said breakable
membrane, a closure member closing said second chamber to retain a
second material therein, and piercing means movable to break or
pierce the breakable membrane whereby said first and second
materials can mix.
5. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the
closure member supports the piercing means and enables movement of
the piercing means to break or pierce the breakable membrane.
6. A container as claimed in claim 5, wherein the closure member
comprises a periphery arranged to engage the container, and carries
at least one elongate piercing member which extends from the inner
surface of the closure member.
7. A container as claimed in claim 6, wherein the or each elongate
piercing member is fixed to the inner surface of the closure
member, or is integrally formed therewith.
8. A container as claimed in any of claims 5 to 7, wherein elongate
piercing member(s) are mounted on a pushbutton or plunger
construction supported within the closure member.
9. A container as claimed in claim 7, further comprising hinge
means formed in the closure member to enable movement of the
piercing member(s) to pierce the breakable membrane.
10. A container as claimed in claim 6, wherein the closure member
and the piercing member(s) are formed from a plastics material, and
the closure member is formed to provide the necessary movement for
the piercing member(s).
11. A container as claimed in claim 10, wherein an elongate
piercing member is affixed to the closure member and upstanding
therefrom, the arrangement being such that depression of the
closure member adjacent the piercing member moves the member to
pierce the breakable membrane.
12. A container as claimed in claim 11, wherein the piercing member
is arranged substantially centrally of the closure member.
13. A container as claimed in claim 11 or claim 12, wherein the
elongate piercing member is integrally formed with the closure
member.
14. A container as claimed in any of claims 10 to 13, wherein the
piercing member is mounted on the closure member by way of a button
formed in the closure member, and wherein the button is moulded
integrally with the closure member.
15. A container as claimed in claim 14, wherein the button is
defined by an annular groove and has a domed shape.
16. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the
closure member is arranged to clip onto the base of the container
such that it acts to close its external cavity.
17. A container as claimed in claim 16, wherein the closure member
is provided with a peripheral rim which is appropriately shaped to
clip onto the base of the container.
18. A container as claimed in claim 17, wherein the closure member
is circular, and its peripheral rim is annular, and wherein an
annular groove is defined in the closure member, radially inwardly
of the peripheral rim, and arranged to receive a base edge of the
container.
19. A container as claimed in claim 17 or claim 18, wherein the
closure member and its peripheral rim are shaped such that any
increase in pressure within the second chamber of the external
cavity tends to urge the rim into better engagement with the base
edge of the container.
20. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the
first reactant material sealed within the first chamber is in a
powder, granular, or other particulate form, and the second
reactant material in the second chamber is a fluid.
21. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the
breakable membrane is of any material capable of sealing the first
reactant material in the first chamber, and supporting the weight
of that material when the container is in its normal upright
position.
22. A container as claimed in claim 21, wherein the breakable
membrane is formed by a disc of a metal foil secured to the
external cavity to extend across it.
23. A container as claimed in claim 21 or claim 22, wherein the
external cavity is shaped to define an annular flange therein and
wherein a disc shaped breakable membrane is then affixed to the
annular flange after a charge of the first reactant material has
been filled into the first chamber.
24. A container as claimed in claim 23, wherein the disc shaped
breakable membrane is affixed to the annular flange by way of a
carrier member.
25. A container as claimed in claim 23, wherein the periphery of
the disc shaped breakable membrane is affixed directly to the
annular flange.
26. A self-heating or self-cooling container substantially as
hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
27. A container substantially as hereinbefore described with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a self-heating or a
self-cooling container.
[0002] There have been many proposals for self-heating or
self-cooling beverage containers. WO 96/29255, for example,
discloses a can having the same external dimensions and shape as
conventional beverage cans, but having an indented base to define
an external cavity in which means to cool or heat the contents of
the can are received.
[0003] Heating or cooling of the contents of the can can be
achieved by using two chemical reactants which are stable when
separated, but which produce an exothermic reaction or an
endothermic reaction when mixed. U.S. Pat. No. 5,626,022 shows just
one example, from many, of an insert for a self-heating or
self-cooling can which enables mixing of the reactants when
required.
[0004] This construction, as is common, proposes the use of a
module, which is pre-assembled and is then inserted into the
can.
[0005] Many examples of such inserts and modules have been
proposed, but none of them have been found to be entirely
satisfactory. The designs are often overly complicated, or do not
withstand normal transport and handling, or are prone to failure.
Furthermore, the need to form the module as a sub-assembly adds to
the manufacturing costs.
[0006] The present invention seeks to overcome the problems noted
with the existing inserts for self-cooling and self-heating
containers.
[0007] According to the present invention there is provided a
self-heating or self-cooling container having a tubular peripheral
wall, a top member closing one end of the peripheral wall, and a
base member closing the other end of the peripheral wall, an
internal cavity for the contents of the container being defined
within the peripheral wall, wherein the base member is indented to
define an external cavity which extends within the peripheral wall
but is separated from the internal cavity, and wherein means for
heating or cooling the contents of the container are received
within said external cavity, said heating or cooling means
comprising a breakable membrane dividing the external cavity into
first and second chambers, a first reactant material sealed within
the first chamber by said breakable membrane, a closure member
closing said second chamber to retain a second reactant material
therein, and piercing means movable to break or pierce the
breakable membrane whereby said first and second reactant materials
can mix.
[0008] With an embodiment of a self-heating or a self-cooling
container of the invention, there is no requirement to form the
heating or cooling means into a sub-assembly. Instead, the
individual components of the heating or cooling means are simply
assembled within the external cavity of the container. This
preferably occurs after the container has been filled, and its
contents have been subjected to any required treatments.
[0009] When the reactant materials mix there will generally be a
chemical reaction, for example, to produce a heating or a cooling
effect. Such a chemical reaction may be associated with pressure
changes, as well as temperature changes. Accordingly, pressure
venting means are preferably associated with the closure member
and/or with the container. In a preferred embodiment, a one way
valve or seal is associated with the closure.
[0010] Although the container was developed specifically for use
with self-cooling or self-heating beverage containers, it is
adaptable for use as a container in which a first material which it
is required to mix with a second material can be contained and
subsequently mixed. The first and second materials, which are
required to be mixed at the point of use, may be chemically
reactive.
[0011] The present invention extends to a container for
facilitating the mixing of first and second materials, the
container comprising a cavity, a breakable membrane dividing the
cavity into first and second chambers, a first material sealed
within the first chamber by said breakable membrane, a closure
member closing said second chamber to retain a second material
therein, and piercing means movable to break or pierce the
breakable membrane whereby said first and second materials can
mix.
[0012] For example, hair dyes and hair perming agents are required
to be rendered active at the point of their application to hair.
This is done by reacting a first chemical with the rest of the
formulation. The first chemical may be housed in the second chamber
of a container of the invention, and the first chamber in the
cavity used to contain the rest of the formulation. The closure is
pressed when it is required to use the hair dye or hair perming
agent to enable mixing of the first chemical with the rest of the
formulation.
[0013] In a totally different sphere, a container of the invention
may constitute a paint can, for example, with paint of one colour,
contained in the first chamber, to be mixed with paint of another
colour kept in the second chamber. By this means, for example, a
container of the invention would allow a paint comprising a
selected mix of two colours to be made available.
[0014] A container of the invention is primarily suitable to
contain fluids, but may be utilised in any situation where the
mixing of a fluid material with other materials, and/or a chemical
reaction is required at the point of use.
[0015] It would be possible, for example, for the closure member
and the piercing means to be separate elements. For example, a
piercing member could be arranged to be movable through and with
respect to the closure member.
[0016] However, in a presently preferred embodiment, which is
simple to construct and easy to use, the closure member supports
the piercing means and enables movement of the piercing means to
break or pierce the breakable membrane.
[0017] It would also be possible for the closure member to comprise
a cap in which a compartment is defined which may receive the
second reactant material and/or enclose further elements of the
container.
[0018] However, it is presently preferred that the construction be
as simple as possible.
[0019] In an embodiment, the closure member comprises a periphery
arranged to engage the container, and carries at least one elongate
piercing member which extends from the inner surface of the closure
member.
[0020] The or each elongate piercing member may be fixed to the
inner surface of the closure member or may be integrally formed
therewith.
[0021] It is necessary for the piercing member(s) to be movable to
pierce the breakable membrane. Such movement could be accommodated
by mounting the piercing member(s) on a pushbutton or plunger
construction supported within the closure member. Where the
piercing member(s) are directly affixed to, or integrally formed
with, the closure member, hinge means may be formed in the closure
member.
[0022] In a presently preferred embodiment, the closure member and
the piercing member(s) are formed from a plastics material, and the
closure member is formed to provide the necessary movement for the
piercing member(s).
[0023] In a preferred embodiment, an elongate piercing member is
affixed to the closure member and upstanding therefrom, the
arrangement being such that depression of the closure member
adjacent the piercing member moves the member to pierce the
breakable membrane.
[0024] Preferably, the piercing member is arranged substantially
centrally of the closure member.
[0025] The piercing member may be affixed to the closure member. In
a preferred embodiment, the elongate member is integrally formed
with the closure member.
[0026] In a preferred embodiment, the piercing member is mounted on
the closure member by way of a button formed in the closure member.
This button may be a separate structure provided in the closure
member. Preferably, however, the button is moulded integrally with
the closure member.
[0027] In a preferred embodiment, the button is defined by an
annular groove and has a domed shape. Normally, the dome is convex,
but pressure thereon causes a overcentre movement reversing the
curvature of the dome. This pushes the piercing member carried
thereby towards the breakable membrane to pierce the breakable
membrane.
[0028] Preferably, the closure member is arranged to clip onto the
base of the container such that it acts to close its external
cavity. Alternatively, the closure member may be mechanically
connected to the container by other means, for example, by a screw
connection.
[0029] For example, the closure member may be provided with a
peripheral rim which is appropriately shaped to clip onto the base
of the container.
[0030] Although the closure member may be of any required
peripheral shape, in a preferred embodiment the closure member is
circular, and, in this case, its peripheral rim is annular. An
annular groove may be defined in the closure member, radially
inwardly of the peripheral rim, and arranged to receive a base edge
of the container.
[0031] Preferably, the closure member and its peripheral rim are
shaped such that any increase in pressure within the second chamber
of the external cavity tends to urge the rim into better engagement
with the base edge of the container.
[0032] A container of the present invention was developed
specifically for use as a self-cooling or self-heating container
for beverages. Of course, it will be appreciated that the container
may be used for any contents.
[0033] The reactant materials are chosen to give the reaction
required and may be in any particular form. However, the structure
of the cooling or heating means is particularly appropriate where
the first reactant material sealed within the first chamber is in a
powder, granular, or other particulate form, whilst the second
reactant material in the second chamber is a fluid.
[0034] When it is required to cool or heat the container, it is
inverted to provide access to the base of the closure member which
is then pressed to cause the piercing member to pierce the
breakable membrane. This releases the fluid in the second chamber
such that it flows into the first chamber to begin the chemical
reaction. The use of a second reactant material in fluid form
assists in the mixing process.
[0035] For a self-heating container, for example, quicklime may be
filled within the first chamber and water retained within the
second chamber. Lime is extremely hydroscopic and it has been found
that sealing the lime by the breakable membrane within the first
chamber improves the shelf life of the container greatly as the
lime is thereby sealed from contamination.
[0036] The breakable membrane may be of any material capable of
sealing the first reactant material in the first chamber, and
supporting the weight of that material when the container is in its
normal upright position. For example, the breakable membrane may be
formed by a disc of a metal foil secured to the external cavity to
extend across it.
[0037] In a presently preferred embodiment, the external cavity is
shaped to define an annular flange therein. A disc shaped breakable
membrane may then be affixed to the annular flange after a charge
of the first reactant material has been filled into the first
chamber. For example, the disc shaped breakable membrane may be
affixed to the annular flange by way of a carrier member.
Alternatively, the periphery of the disc shaped breakable membrane
may be affixed directly to the annular flange.
[0038] Embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be
described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying
drawings, in which:
[0039] FIG. 1 shows schematically one embodiment of a self-heating
beverage container,
[0040] FIG. 2 shows an enlarged view of the base of the container
of FIG. 1 in the inverted position,
[0041] FIG. 3 shows an example of a container of the invention, in
the inverted position, and illustrates, the shape of its external
cavity and of its closure member, and
[0042] FIG. 4 shows an inverted container having a carrier for the
breakable membrane.
[0043] The invention will be described hereinafter specifically
with reference to a self-heating beverage container. However, the
container of the invention, which is described below, may
alternatively be arranged to be self-cooling. In fact, and as set
out above, the container finds general application whenever it is
required to package goods in a manner requiring two materials to be
mixed at the point of use.
[0044] The container shown in FIG. 1 may be a metal or plastics
material container 10 having a substantially cylindrical peripheral
wall 12 which is closed at one end by a top member 14. As described
in WO 96129255, a base member 16 of the container is indented to
define an elongate external cavity 20 which extends within the
peripheral wall 12. It will be appreciated that the peripheral wall
12 and the top and base members 14 and 16 of the container together
define an internal cavity 22 in which contents, such as a beverage,
are received. It will be seen that the external cavity 20 extends
within this internal cavity 22, but is separated therefrom by the
wall of the base member 16.
[0045] The container 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 is configured to have
the same external dimensions and shape as a conventional beverage
can. This means that the can 10 can be filled and treated on
existing filling lines.
[0046] The external cavity 20 of the can 10 is to be utilised to
contain heating or cooling means. Where the can 10 is a
self-heating can, for example, the heating means may comprise
quicklime (calcium oxide) 26 filled within a first chamber within
the cavity 20. A second chamber 32 within the cavity 20, separated
from the first by breakable membrane 24, is filled with water. The
second chamber 32 is closed by closure 30.
[0047] When it is required to heat the contents of the can 10, the
can is inverted and stood on its top member 14 so that the base of
the closure 30 is accessible. A button, described below, on the
bottom of the base is depressed whereby an elongate piercing member
42 pierces the membrane 24 so that water from the chamber 32 flows
over the quicklime 22 to cause the exothermic reaction. The steam
which is generated is allowed to vent around the periphery of the
closure 30 through vents or recesses (not illustrated) formed in
either the periphery of the closure 30 or in the wall of the cavity
20 or in both. The user will retain the can in its inverted
position until the exit of steam has been completed. At this stage
the contents of the can will have been heated to a satisfactory
temperature.
[0048] The structure of the heating means is apparent from FIGS. 2
and 3.
[0049] As can be seen in FIG. 3, the base member 16 is shaped to
define at least one annular flange 34 in the wall of the external
cavity 20. This flange 34 is used to support the breakable membrane
24 whereby the external cavity 20 is divided into a first chamber
28 and a second chamber 32. It will be appreciated that the
breakable membrane 24 may be piercable, rupturable or breakable in
other manner.
[0050] In a preferred embodiment, the breakable membrane 24 is a
disc of metal foil. After the first reactant material, for example,
the quicklime 26 (not shown in FIG. 3) has been charged into the
first chamber 28, the membrane 24 is positioned in the cavity 20
and bonded or otherwise sealed along its periphery to the annular
flange 34.
[0051] Preferably, and as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the closure 30 is
formed from plastics material and is integral with the elongate
piercing member 42. The closure 30 comprises a substantially
circular member having an annular peripheral rim 36. This rim 36
defines an annular recess 38 which enables the closure 30 to be
clipped on to the base of the can 10. It will be seen that in the
embodiment illustrated, the free edge of the rim 36 carries an
annular projection 40 which is arranged to engage within an annular
groove provided externally of the base edge of the can 10.
[0052] For security of the connection, the peripheral area of the
closure 30 is made to have a greater thickness of material than the
central area thereof.
[0053] Substantially centrally thereof, the closure 30 carries an
upstanding elongate piercing member 42. In the embodiment
illustrated, this piercing member 42 is cylindrical and has a
sharpened free end. However, it would alternatively be possible to
provide a number of individual elongate piercing members for
example, in the form of spikes or barbs, which are arranged along
the circumference of a circle or in some other appropriate
configuration.
[0054] The piercing member 42 is fixed to the closure 30 centrally
of a button 50 defined within the closure 30 by an annular groove
48.
[0055] It will be seen that in the condition shown in FIGS. 2 and
3, the button 50 is convex and is positioned radially inwardly of
the annular groove 48.
[0056] It will be appreciated that after the quicklime 26 is sealed
within the first chamber 28 by the breakable membrane 24, an open
second chamber 32 is thereby defined. This chamber 32 is then
filled with water which is retained therein by snap fitting the
closure 30 into position on the base of the can 10. In this
respect, it is important to ensure that the chamber 32 is
substantially water tight and, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3,
the periphery of the closure 30 is shown to have an integrally
formed seal in the form of an annually extending wiper 52. It is
additionally or alternatively possible to incorporate within the
peripheral region of the closure 30 a one way valve or seal 56
(FIG. 1) arranged to prevent the ingress of air from the outside.
Such an atmospheric valve is effective to seal water within the
chamber 32 but enables venting of the chamber.
[0057] By such measures, it can be ensured that the closure 30
effectively seals the chamber 32 and prevents leakage of water
therefrom during normal transport and handling. Furthermore, the
membrane 24 hermetically seals the chamber 28 with its charge of
quicklime whereby contamination of the quicklime is prevented. This
increases the shelf life of the heating means of the can 10.
[0058] When self-heating of the can is required, it is inverted as
described above. The button 50 is pressed. The button 50 is
arranged to have an overcentre action such that on depression, the
button moves from its initial convex domed position to a
substantially concave domed position. Preferably, the button is
stable in both of its states. This movement of the button 50 moves
the piercing member 42 in a direction to pierce or break the
breakable membrane 24. Generally, it is expected that depression of
the button 50 will cause a positive break in the membrane 24
whereby water is quickly released into the quicklime within the
chamber 28 to commence the self-heating reaction. However, because
the can 10 is inverted, it does not matter if there is some failure
in the break provided as long as some rupture of the membrane 24
occurs. In this respect, with any rupture in the membrane 24, a
flow of water from the chamber 32 into the chamber 28 will occur
and this, in itself, will tend to ensure that a larger rupture in
the membrane 24 is caused.
[0059] The reaction which takes place between the water and the
quicklime will generate steam and it is necessary to ensure that
air and steam can exit from the external cavity 20. In the
embodiment illustrated, vent channels 54, which are visible in FIG.
2, are provided through the material of the periphery of the
closure 30. It will be seen that the channels 54 open into the
external cavity 20 radially outwardly of the wiper 52. The wiper 52
is thereby able to prevent egress of water whilst allowing air and
steam to exit.
[0060] The self-heating container described and illustrated can be
filled on conventional filling lines, and the contents thereof may
be subjected to any treatment required. For example, contents of
the container may be pasteurised and/or sterilised. Thereafter, it
is a simple matter to invert each completed and filled container
and provide it with heating means in its external cavity 20. Thus,
the external cavity 20 is charged with a predetermined amount of
quicklime, a breakable membrane 24 is inserted and is bonded or
otherwise fixed by appropriate means to the annular flange 34, a
charge of water is then filled into the thus defined second chamber
32, and the closure 30 is clipped onto the container 10.
[0061] The embodiment described above shows a particularly simple
construction for the heating means and a similar construction can
be used for cooling means. The final can is sufficiently robust to
withstand normal transport and handling.
[0062] It is preferred that the closure 30 be made of a plastics
material. Presently it is preferred that the plastics material be
translucent or transparent.
[0063] When the container 10 is a metal can there can be
difficulties if it is required, for example, to affix the breakable
membrane 24 to the annular flange 34 using a meltable adhesive. For
example, a flange, as 34, formed on a metal can will not be as
smooth as that on a plastics material can. Furthermore, the metal
can acts as a heat sink which takes away heat from the adhesive. As
a result it can be difficult to obtain a perfect seal between the
periphery of the membrane 24 and the flange 34. FIG. 4 shows an
embodiment of the present invention able to reduce difficulties of
this nature.
[0064] As illustrated, in the embodiment of FIG. 4, the breakable
membrane 24 has been secured to a carrier 60. Preferably this
carrier 60 is integrally formed of plastics material and has a
cylindrical plug 62 having an annular ring 64 at one end thereof. A
peripheral area of the breakable membrane 24 is adhered, bonded or
otherwise fixed to the annular ring 64 such that it is stretched
across the carrier. The carrier 60 is then assembled with the
annular flange 34 such that it plugs the chamber 28 and the
membrane 24 hermetically seals the chamber 28.
[0065] It will generally be necessary to fix the carrier 60 in its
position to ensure that the chamber 28 is, and remains,
hermetically sealed by the breakable membrane 24. For example, the
annular ring 64 may be adhered or otherwise fixed to the annular
flange 34.
[0066] Where the carrier 60 is of plastics material and the
breakable membrane 24 is a foil disc, it is generally
straightforward to achieve a perfect seal between the two by
gluing, for example. It is then only necessary to ensure that the
carrier 60 reliably plugs the chamber 28.
[0067] The carrier 60 may be of a solid body of plastics material,
Alternatively, constructions are possible where the carrier 60 is
of semi permeable material, for example, or is in the form of a
sieve.
[0068] It is proposed that external surfaces of the closure and/or
of the container 10 be made of, or coated with, materials having
thermochromic properties. In this way, if the closure has been
operated to cause self-heating of the can at any time, this is
immediately apparent by, for example, a change in the colour of
part of the closure and/or of part of the container 10.
[0069] It will be appreciated that modifications to or variations
of the embodiments described and illustrated may be made within the
scope of this application.
* * * * *