U.S. patent application number 10/905779 was filed with the patent office on 2006-07-20 for phase change and insulating properties container and method of use.
Invention is credited to Paul E. Becke.
Application Number | 20060156756 10/905779 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36682433 |
Filed Date | 2006-07-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060156756 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Becke; Paul E. |
July 20, 2006 |
PHASE CHANGE AND INSULATING PROPERTIES CONTAINER AND METHOD OF
USE
Abstract
A container and method for cooling beverages to an acceptable
consumption temperature and then for maintaining that beverage
temperature for a sufficient time so as to allow the beverage to be
consumed is provided. The container includes a beverage chamber for
receiving a beverage therein which is defined by an open top, a lid
for reversibly sealing the open top, and a beverage chamber side
wall. The beverage chamber side wall has an inner wall, an outer
wall and a bottom portion. A reservoir side wall is disposed
surroundingly at a spaced relationship to the beverage chamber side
wall so as to define a reservoir therebetween. A phase change
material is disposed in the reservoir.
Inventors: |
Becke; Paul E.; (Mundelein,
IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DAVIS CHIN
10281 WEST LINCOLN HIGHWAY
FRANKFORT
IL
60423
US
|
Family ID: |
36682433 |
Appl. No.: |
10/905779 |
Filed: |
January 20, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/457.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y02E 60/145 20130101;
F25D 2303/0843 20130101; A47G 19/2288 20130101; F25D 2303/0831
20130101; F25D 2331/808 20130101; A47J 41/0044 20130101; Y02E 60/14
20130101; F28D 20/02 20130101; A47J 36/2444 20130101; F25D 2303/085
20130101; F25D 3/08 20130101; F25D 2303/0845 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
062/457.3 |
International
Class: |
F25D 3/08 20060101
F25D003/08 |
Claims
1. A container for cooling beverages to an acceptable consumption
temperature and then for maintaining that beverage temperature for
a sufficient time so as to allow the beverage to be consumed, said
container comprising: a beverage chamber for receiving a beverage
therein defined by an open top, a lid for reversibly sealing the
open top, and a beverage chamber side wall, said beverage chamber
side wall having an inner wall, an outer wall and a bottom portion;
a reservoir side wall disposed surroundingly at a spaced
relationship to said beverage chamber side wall so as to define a
reservoir therebetween; and a phase change material being disposed
in said reservoir.
2. A container for cooling beverages as claimed in claim 1, wherein
said open top is internally threaded and said lid is externally
threaded.
3. A container for cooling beverages as claimed in claim 1, wherein
said open top is provided with an overhang which is sealed by said
lid with friction.
4. A container for cooling beverages as claimed in claim 1, wherein
said phase change material is comprised of a paraffin wax.
5. A container for cooling beverages as claimed in claim 1, further
comprising a second reservoir side wall disposed surroundingly at a
spaced apart relationship to said first reservoir side wall so as
to define a second reservoir therebetween.
6. A container for cooling beverages as claimed in claim 5, wherein
an insulative material is disposed in said second reservoir.
7. A container for cooling beverages as claimed in claim 5, wherein
said second reservoir is filled with a gas.
8. A container for cooling beverages as claimed in claim 5, wherein
said second reservoir is evacuated so to form a vacuum.
9. A container for cooling beverages as claimed in claim 1, wherein
said phase change material changes from opaque to translucent
within the acceptable consumption temperature range.
10. A container for cooling beverages as claimed in claim 9,
wherein an outer wall of said first reservoir side wall is printed
with a design which is viewable when the beverage has reached the
acceptable consumption temperature.
11. A container for cooling beverages to an acceptable consumption
temperature and then for maintaining that beverage temperature for
a sufficient time so as to allow the beverage to be consumed, said
container comprising: an outer sleeve having an inner wall member,
an outer wall member, and a bottom member; a beverage chamber
having a diameter smaller than said outer sleeve and being defined
by a inner wall, an outer wall, and a bottom portion; said beverage
chamber being inserted into said outer sleeve, said outer sleeve
being attached to said beverage chamber at a spaced apart
relationship so to define a reservoir therebetween; and a phase
change material being disposed in said reservoir and having a phase
change temperature at approximately the acceptable consumption
temperature.
12. A container for cooling beverages as claimed in claim 11,
wherein said phase change material is comprised of a paraffin
wax.
13. A container for cooling beverages as claimed in claim 11,
further comprising an insulative sleeve having a diameter larger
than said outer sleeve, said outer sleeve being inserted into said
insulative sleeve, said insulative sleeve being attached at a
spaced apart relationship to said outer sleeve so as to define a
second reservoir therebetween.
14. A container for cooling beverages as claimed in claim 13,
wherein an insulative material is disposed in said second
reservoir.
15. A container for cooling beverages as claimed in claim 13,
wherein said second reservoir is filled with a gas.
16. A container for cooling beverages as claimed in claim 13,
wherein said second reservoir is evacuated so to form a vacuum.
17. A method for cooling a hot beverage to an acceptable
consumption temperature and then for maintaining the temperature
within an acceptable consumption range which includes a container
having a beverage chamber for receiving a beverage therein, a
reservoir side wall disposed surroundingly at a spaced relationship
to the beverage chamber so as to define a reservoir therebetween,
and a phase change material being disposed in the reservoir for
absorbing the heat from the beverage when it is above the
acceptable consumption temperature and for returning the heat to
the beverage when it is below the acceptable consumption
temperature comprising the steps of: allowing the container to
reach equilibrium room temperature which is below a phase change
temperature of the phase change material; putting a hot beverage
into the beverage chamber; cooling the hot beverage by transferring
heat to the phase change material so that it changes to a new phase
from its original phase at room temperature; waiting for the phase
change material to change; and replacing heat to the hot beverage
by transferring heat from the phase change material as it changes
back to its original phase.
18. A method for cooling a hot beverage as claimed in claim 17,
wherein the change of phase of the phase change material is
indicated by a change in color.
19. A method for cooling a hot beverage as claimed in claim 17,
wherein the change of phase of the phase change material is
indicated by a change in opacity.
20. A method for cooling a hot beverage as claimed in claim 17,
further comprising the step of consuming the beverage directly from
the container.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates generally to insulated containers and
more particularly, the present invention relates to an improved
container for cooling beverages to a temperature suitable for
consumption and for maintaining the beverage temperature within an
acceptable range for consumption which includes a beverage chamber
for receiving a heated beverage and a phase change material
reservoir surrounding the beverage chamber.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] As is generally well-known, it is frequently desirable to
maintain beverages at a temperature suitable for consumption over
an extended period of time. However, the problem encountered is
that when a hot beverage is left alone in a container it will
continually cool down until the ambient temperature is reached.
Therefore, there have been many attempts made in the prior art
heretofore to create containers that alter the temperature of
beverages before they are consumed. For example, in U.S. Pat. No.
6,170,100 to Kremesec et al. issued on Jan. 23, 2001, there is
disclosed an insulated container for cooling hot beverages prior to
consumption which includes an upper reservoir and a lower reservoir
surrounding a beverage chamber. The upper and lower reservoirs
communicate with one another through a passageway having a two-way
valve. A fluid fills the upper reservoir in which it is allowed to
absorb the heat from the beverage. Once the beverage has cooled to
a consumable temperature, the fluid is transported back to the
lower reservoir, and the container then behaves as a typical
double-walled insulated container so as to maintain the
temperature.
[0005] While this '100 patent recognizes the problems associated
with cooling hot liquids before consumption, it is not without its
shortcomings. A first shortcoming is that the patented container
requires a mechanical valve to prevent the cooling fluid from
moving between the two reservoirs at an inappropriate time. A
second shortcoming is that the patented container device lacks an
automatic mechanism to determine when it should switch from a state
of cooling to a state of maintaining the temperature. Finally, this
patented container suffers from the disadvantage in that it does
not have a means for replacing the heat that is dissipated from the
beverage into the surrounding environment.
[0006] Another device designed to alter the temperature of liquids
in a container is found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,606,937 to Lassota
issued on Aug. 19, 2003 which discloses a self-heating urn having
warmer packs urn dispensing hot beverages and keeping them hot
before they are dispensed. This Lassota patent recognizes the need
to keep hot beverages hot, and it uses warmer packs to perform this
function, where the warmer packs may contain phase change
materials. However, it does not address the need to first cool a
hot beverage and then maintain its temperature at an ideal
temperature for consumption. There is no cooling function provided
by this Lassota patent. Additionally, the warmer packs must be
first activated by heating it with an external heating device. This
is an extra step required to maintain the beverage temperature.
Finally, this urn is utilized to transport the beverage from a
place where it is prepared to a place where it is to be dispensed
into another container. The beverage is not directly consumed from
this patented urn.
[0007] Further, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,513,516 to Sabin et al. issued
on Feb. 4, 2003 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,664,383 to Joseph et al. issued
on Nov. 11, 2003, there are disclosed various flexible packaging
devices for heating, cooling and dispensing products. The devices
in both of these two patents rely on either exothermic or
endothermic reactions or phase change material to either heat or
cool their contents. However, both of these patents describe a
device which is made of a flexible material to create a kind of
pouch. The pouch is essentially used to prepare or cook the
contents. These patented devices do not address the need to first
cool a prepared hot beverage and then maintain an ideal temperature
for consumption.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 6,722,153 to Jeuch issued on Apr. 20, 2004
discloses a self-cooling package for beverages which includes a
cooling device internal to the package and a connection to a
pumping device external to the package. As the pressure is reduced,
the coolant evaporates and heat is extracted from the beverages.
While this '153 patent uses a phase change material to extract heat
from a beverage, it requires an external pump to effect the change.
Furthermore, it does not address the need to keep the beverage at a
specific consumption temperature range.
[0009] Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide an improved
container for cooling beverages to a temperature suitable for
consumption and for maintaining the beverage temperature within an
acceptable range for consumption which is relatively simple and
inexpensive in design, construction, and operation. It would also
be expedient that the container includes a beverage chamber for
receiving a heated beverage and a phase change material reservoir
surrounding the beverage chamber.
[0010] The present invention represents an improvement over the
above-discussed prior art patents. None of the prior art discussed
above disclosed a container for cooling beverages like that of the
present invention which includes a beverage chamber for receiving a
heated beverage and a phase change material reservoir surrounding
the beverage chamber.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention
to provide an improved container and method for cooling beverages
to a temperature suitable for consumption and for maintaining the
beverage temperature within an acceptable range for consumption
which is relatively simple and inexpensive in design, construction
and operation.
[0012] It is an object of the present invention to provide an
improved container and method for cooling beverages to a
temperature suitable for consumption and for maintaining the
beverage temperature within an acceptable range for consumption on
an efficient and cost effective basis.
[0013] It is another object of the present invention to provide an
improved container and method for cooling beverages to a
temperature suitable for consumption and for maintaining the
beverage temperature within an acceptable range for consumption
which a visual indication that that the beverage has reached an
acceptable consumption temperature.
[0014] It is still another object of the present invention to
provide an improved container for cooling beverages to a
temperature suitable for consumption and for maintaining the
beverage temperature within an acceptable range for consumption
which includes a beverage chamber for receiving a heated beverage
and a phase change material reservoir surrounding the beverage
chamber.
[0015] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is
provided a container and method for cooling beverages to an
acceptable consumption temperature and then for maintaining that
beverage temperature for a sufficient time so as to allow the
beverage to be consumed. The container includes a beverage chamber
for receiving a beverage therein which is defined by an open top, a
lid for reversibly sealing the open top, and a beverage chamber
side wall. The beverage chamber side wall has an inner wall, an
outer wall and a bottom portion. A reservoir side wall is disposed
surroundingly at a spaced relationship to the beverage chamber side
wall so as to define a reservoir therebetween. A phase change
material is disposed in the reservoir.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] These and other objects and advantages of the present
invention will become more fully apparent from the following
detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings with like reference numerals indicating corresponding
parts throughout, wherein:
[0017] FIG. 1 is a side cut away view of a container for cooling
beverages, constructed in accordance with the principles of the
present invention and illustrated in an empty state with a lid
disposed above;
[0018] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the container of FIG. 1,
taken along the lines 2-2 thereof; and
[0019] FIG. 3 is a graph, illustrating the temperature lowering and
maintaining efficiency of the present container as compared to a
readily obtainable insulated mug.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0020] It is to be distinctly understood at the outset that the
present invention shown in the drawings and described in detail in
conjunction with the preferred embodiments is not intended to serve
as a limitation upon the scope or teachings thereof, but is to be
considered merely as an exemplification of the principles of the
present invention.
[0021] It is also to be understood that while the description of
the preferred embodiment is directed to the cooling and temperature
maintenance of hot beverages, the present container can also be
used to maintain the temperature of cold liquids. The present
container, however, will not cool the liquids further but, instead,
will through the same thermal properties as maintaining heat, keep
the cold liquids cold for a longer period of time than if the
present container is not used. Also, for clarity sake, the term
"beverage" will be used throughout the description. The term
"beverage" is meant to refer to any liquid, such as coffee, or
partial liquid such as soup, that is placed into the beverage
chamber of the instant container. Finally, while the drawings and
descriptions reference the present container device as being
cylindrical in shape, as that is the most common shape or beverage
containers, those skilled in the art will quickly understand that
the principles involved will also work with containers of other
shapes and aspects ratios including shapes such as are commonly
referred to as soup bowls. Finally while a nestled arrayed
reservoir system is described, other configurations such as
concentric and stacked reservoir systems are also contemplated by
the inventor.
[0022] Referring now in detail to the drawings, there is
illustrated in FIG. 1 a side, cut away view of a container 20 for
cooling beverages to a suitable temperature for consumption and for
maintaining the beverage temperature within an acceptable range for
consumption, constructed in accordance with the principles of the
present invention and illustrated in the empty state with a lid
positioned thereabove. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the
container 20 of FIG. 1, taken along the lines 2-2 thereof.
[0023] The container 20 of the present invention can be
manufactured from any number of the standard materials and in the
manners common known to those skilled in the art. Transparent
translucent or opaque plastics or glass, stainless steel, ceramic,
polystyrene foam, paper and cardboard are the preferred materials.
Additionally, different materials may be used for different
elements or components of the container 20. In order to more easily
understand the construction and design of container 20, it is best
to first think of it in sections: a beverage chamber 22, a phase
change material reservoir 24, and an insulative reservoir 26. The
beverage chamber 22 is further defined by an inner wall 28 and
outer wall 30 which further define a beverage chamber wall 32, a
bottom portion 34, an open top 36 and a lid 38. While the preferred
embodiment illustrates an internally threaded open top 36 and an
externally threaded lid 38, any other known means for reversibly
sealing the beverage chamber is acceptable. For instance a friction
seal may also be used. The open top 36 further includes overhang 40
which mates with the peripheral edge of the lid 38.
[0024] The phase change material reservoir 24 is further defined by
an inner wall member 42 and outer wall member 44 which define phase
change material reservoir side wall 46, beverage chamber outer wall
30, and a bottom member 48. The circumference of phase change
material reservoir side wall 46 is greater than the circumference
of beverage chamber wall 32. The phase change material reservoir
side wall can also be viewed as a sleeve which fits down and over
the smaller diameter beverage chamber. Phase change material
reservoir 24 is therefore created by the space between the beverage
chamber outer wall 30 and inner wall member 42. The circumference
size difference between the beverage chamber wall 32 and the
reservoir side wall 46 need only be sufficient to contain an
adequate amount of phase change material and expansion of the phase
change material. (as will described in detail below).
[0025] The insulative reservoir 26 is further defined by an inner
wall member 50 and outer wall member 52 which define insulative
reservoir side wall 54, phase change material reservoir outer wall
44, and a bottom member 56. The circumference of insulative
reservoir side wall 54 is greater than the circumference of phase
change material reservoir side wall 46. The insulative reservoir
side wall can also be viewed as a sleeve which fits down and over
the smaller diameter phase change material reservoir. The
insulative reservoir 26 is therefore created by the space between
phase change material reservoir outer wall 44 and inner wall member
50. The circumference size difference between the phase change
material reservoir side wall 46 and the insulative reservoir side
wall 54 need only be sufficient to contain an adequate amount of
insulative material, air or vacuum to provide for reduced heat
loss.
[0026] Alternatively, the insulative reservoir 26 may be completely
eliminated, provided that the material from the reservoir side wall
46 is constructed has sufficient insulative properties for a
particular application. Furthermore, in this case, the insulative
reservoir side wall 54 may be combined with phase change material
reservoir side wall 46 and made as a single wall and a single
material.
[0027] The nestled array of the beverage chamber 22 and the
reservoirs 24, 26 can best be seen in greater detail in FIG. 2 of
the drawings. Insulative reservoir 26 is positioned in confluence
with phase change reservoir bottom member 48 while phase change
material reservoir 24 is positioned in confluence with beverage
chamber bottom portion 34. In fact, either or both of the
insulative reservoir bottom member 56 and the phase change material
reservoir bottom member 48 may be molded as a single piece with
beverage chamber bottom portion 34.
[0028] A phase change material 25 is placed in a sealed system
created by the phase change material reservoir 24. The phase change
material is any material that exhibits a change in phase at a
desired temperature or within a small range of a desired
temperature. A change in phase is generally exhibited by the
changing from a solid state to a liquid state (melting) or from a
liquid state to a gaseous state (boiling), or from a solid state to
a gaseous state (sublimating). The reverse of these state changes
is also considered a phase change. In particular, this includes the
changing from a liquid to solid state (freezing), or from a gaseous
state to either a liquid or a solid state (condensing).
[0029] Furthermore, many substances also exhibit phase changes
within the solid, liquid or gaseous state. A material may for
example remain a solid, but transition between two phases.
Sometimes, this may be observable by a physical change in the
material such as the material changing particle size, but this is
not necessarily always the case. The best way to determine if a
material exhibits a phase change at a desired temperature is to
apply heat in a controlled manner within a calorimeter, and observe
the heat flux. The initial temperature should be below the desired
temperature. Sharp changes in the heat flux curve will indicate
phase changes. The initial temperature should be below the desired
temperature. As heat is applied to the material, the temperature
will rise at a constant rate, until it reaches a phase change
temperature. At the phase change temperature, the rate of
temperature change will decrease noticeable or may even remain
constant until all of the material has change to the new phase.
After all of the material has changed phase, the temperature will
again rise at a steady rate.
[0030] In addition to the phase change temperature, materials also
are characterized by the amount of energy or heat that is absorbed
or released when changing from one phase to another phase. For
changes between liquid and solid states, this attribute is known as
the heat of fusion. For changes between liquid and gaseous states,
this attribute in known as the heat of vaporization. Such attribute
can be expressed in terms of units of calories/mass.
[0031] Assuming that the phase change material chosen to be
deposited in the phase change material reservoir 24 of the
container 20 is selected because it exhibits a solid-to-liquid
state change at the desired temperature, the heat of fusion can be
used to calculate the optimal volume of the phase change material
reservoir 24 that is required for a particular application. The
particular application may need, for example, for a beverage which
is prepared at 200 degrees Fahrenheit to be cooled to 135 degrees
Fahrenheit and then to be maintained a temperature near 135
degrees.
[0032] Assuming that the beverage is substantially water based, the
number of calories that is needed to be extracted from the beverage
can be calculated by multiplying the size of the beverage chamber
22 times the specific heat of water. The ideal volume that is
required for the phase change material reservoir 24 can then be
calculated by dividing the number of calories to be extracted by
the product of the heat of fusion and the density for the phase
change material. Since the density of the phase change material may
be different between the two phases, the minimum density should be
used. Additionally, it may be desirable that the phase change
material reservoir side wall 46 be fabricated from a material with
elastic properties so that it can accommodate changes in the volume
of the phase change material.
[0033] There are many commercially available materials that exhibit
a phase change within a range that are particularly useful for
cooling and maintaining the temperature of a hot beverage at a
comfortable consumption temperature. Based on common experience, a
comfortable consumption temperature is between 110 degrees
Fahrenheit and 145 degrees Fahrenheit. In view of this, there are
several formulations of paraffin waxes which are known to have
melting temperature that fall within this range. The Candlewick
Company of (city and state) manufactures and sells several
formulations including their designated formulation CF with a
melting point of 122 degrees Fahrenheit, formulation number 2530
with a melting point of 126 degrees Fahrenheit, formulation number
3035 with a melting point of 135 degrees Fahrenheit, and
formulation number 4045 with a melting point of 142 degrees
Fahrenheit. Additional formulations are possible by altering the
oil content which has the effect of altering the melting point.
[0034] An additional feature of the container 20 is realized when
the phase change material reservoir side wall 46, the insulative
reservoir side wall 54, and an insulative material 58 disposed
between the side walls 46, 54 are made from transparent or
translucent materials, and the phase change material deposited in
the phase change material reservoir 24 has a property that it
changes color or opacity as it transitions between the two phases.
The change in color or opacity can be used to indicate that the
beverage has been cooled to a comfortable temperature for
consumption. Furthermore, if the material that changes from an
opaque or translucent state to a transparent state is used, then a
design, message or other artwork may be printed on the phase change
material reservoir outer wall member 44 such that the design
message or artwork becomes viewable at the desired consumption
temperature.
[0035] In use, the container 20 is allowed to reach equilibrium
room temperature, which is defined to be about 50 degrees
Fahrenheit to about 90 degrees Fahrenheit. A hot beverage, such as
coffee, tea or soup, is then placed into the beverage chamber 22.
The heat of the beverage is conducted to the sealed reservoir 24
containing the phase change material 25. The heat is absorbed by
the phase change material as it changes phase. The beverage will be
cooled as a result. The beverage will be cooled to approximately
the temperature at which the material changes phase. Since the
material is chosen to have a phase change temperature that is
approximately equal to the comfortable consumption temperature of
the beverage, the beverage is now ready to be consumed. Additional
heat will be dissipated from the beverage into the environment. As
this heat is dissipated, it will be replaced by the heat being
released by the phase change material 25 as it changes back to its
original phase. Once the material changes back completely to its
original phase, the beverage will continue to be maintained at a
comfortable consumption temperature by the insulative properties of
the container 20.
[0036] FIG. 3 illustrates an example of the temperature lowering
and maintaining properties of present container 20. As can be seen,
a readily available insulated mug is depicted in a curve I. In the
curve I. the mug is used with a lid and the starting temperature is
approximately 173 degrees Fahrenheit. Over a period of an hour, the
temperature drops only to approximately 135 degrees Fahrenheit. The
superior functions of the present container 20 is depicted in a
curve II. The same hot beverage at approximately 173 degrees
Fahrenheit was placed into the beverage chamber 22 of instant
container 20. Within 5 minutes, the temperature of the beverage
drops to approximately 145 degrees Fahrenheit. After 10 minutes,
the temperature drops to approximately 140 degrees Fahrenheit, but
the rate of drop decreases and nearly matches the rate of decrease
of the referenced mug depicted in the curve I.
[0037] The inventor believes that the primary reason for the
effects of the present invention are due to the creation of the
phase change material reservoir 24 in thermal communication with
the beverage chamber 22, wherein the reservoir 24 is filled with
the material 25 that exhibits a phase change within a small range
of temperatures. In the case of the present container 20 that was
constructed for use to create the data depicted in the curve II,
the phase change material 25 used was paraffin with a phase change
temperature around 140 degrees Fahrenheit. When the beverage is
dispensed into the beverage chamber 22 the temperature of the phase
change material 25 is quickly raised to its phase change
temperature. This causes the material to change phase. The phase
change causes heat to be extracted from the beverage which, in
turn, is cooled. However, once the beverage reaches the temperature
at which the material changes phase, no more heat is extracted, and
in fact the heat is released back into the beverage as the material
reverts back to its original phase. This heat that is released back
into the beverage helps to maintain the temperature of the beverage
as heat is lost from the beverage into the surrounding environment.
The insulative nature of the insulative reservoir 26 also work to
maintain the heat of the beverage after the beverage reaches the
phase change temperature.
[0038] From the foregoing detailed description, it can thus be seen
that the present invention provides an improved container for
cooling beverages to a temperature suitable for consumption and for
maintaining the beverage temperature within an acceptable range for
consumption. The present container includes a beverage chamber for
receiving a heated beverage and a phase change material reservoir
surrounding the beverage chamber. The phase change material
reservoir contains a phase change material which is chosen to have
a phase transition temperature that is close to the comfortable
consumption temperature for the beverage.
[0039] While there has been illustrated and described what is at
present considered to be a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that
various changes and modifications may be made, and equivalents may
be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the true
scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made
to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the
invention without departing from the central scope thereof.
Therefore, it is intended that this invention not be limited to the
particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for
carrying out the invention, but that the invention will include all
embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *