U.S. patent application number 11/569654 was filed with the patent office on 2008-01-24 for self heating or cooling container.
This patent application is currently assigned to TEMPRA TECHNOLOGY, INC.. Invention is credited to Michael Sheppard Bolmer, Neil Marshall, Alan Maskell, Cullen M. Sabin.
Application Number | 20080017184 11/569654 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32671199 |
Filed Date | 2008-01-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080017184 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Marshall; Neil ; et
al. |
January 24, 2008 |
Self Heating Or Cooling Container
Abstract
A container (101), suitable for the inclusion of at least one
product therein, which comprises an integral, activatable, heating
(or cooling) system for the product, which container includes a
lining, the lining and container defining at least three mutually
segregatable zones, these being i) one or more zones in which
product may be contained; ii) a zone (116) in which a first kind of
chemical reactant may be contained and iii) a zone (115) in which a
second kind of chemical reactant may be contained, the container
including a rotatable activator (107), for example, an activation
knob, located at the exterior of the container, and, rotatably
mounted within the container, and operative by rotation of the
activator, means for terminating the segregation of ii) and iii)
wherein the upper of ii) and iii) is not located so as to impede in
service, heat transference from the reactant mass to i) (or vice
versa) container suitable for the inclusion of at least one product
therein, which comprises an integral, activatable, heating (or
cooling) system for the product, which container includes a lining,
the lining and container defining at least three mutually
segregatable zones, these being i) one or more zones in which
product may be contained; ii) a zone in which a first kind of
chemical reactant may be contained and iii) a zone in which a
second kind of chemical reactant may be contained, the container
including a rotatable activator, for example, an activation knob,
located at the exterior of the container, and, rotatably mounted
within the container, and operative by rotation of the activator,
means for terminating the segregation of ii) and iii) wherein the
upper of ii) and iii) is not located so as to impede in service,
heat transference from the reactant mass to i) (or vice versa).
Inventors: |
Marshall; Neil; (Hampshire,
GB) ; Maskell; Alan; (Gerrards Cross, GB) ;
Sabin; Cullen M.; (Bradenton, FL) ; Bolmer; Michael
Sheppard; (Sarasota, FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FISH & RICHARDSON P.C.
P.O. BOX 1022
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55440-1022
US
|
Assignee: |
TEMPRA TECHNOLOGY, INC.
6140 15TH STREET EAST
BRADENTON
FL
34203
|
Family ID: |
32671199 |
Appl. No.: |
11/569654 |
Filed: |
May 27, 2005 |
PCT Filed: |
May 27, 2005 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/GB05/02112 |
371 Date: |
July 9, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
126/263.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24V 30/00 20180501;
B65D 2581/3436 20130101; F25D 5/02 20130101; B65D 81/3484
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
126/263.01 |
International
Class: |
F24J 1/00 20060101
F24J001/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 27, 2004 |
GB |
0411919.4 |
Claims
1. A container, suitable for the inclusion of at least one product
therein, which comprises an integral, activatable, heating (or
cooling) system for the product, which container includes a lining,
the lining and container defining at least three mutually
segregatable zones, these being i) one or more zones in which
product may be contained; ii) a zone in which a first kind of
chemical reactant may be contained and iii) a zone in which a
second kind of chemical reactant may be contained, the container
including a rotatable activator, for example, an activation knob,
located at the exterior of the container and, rotatably mounted
within the container and operative by rotation of the activator,
means for terminating the segregation of ii) and iii) wherein the
upper of ii) and iii) is not located so as to impede, in service,
heat transference from the reactant mass to i) (or vice versa).
2. A container according to claim 1 wherein the upper of ii) and
iii) is interposed between i) and an exterior side surface of the
container.
3. A container, suitable for the inclusion of at least one product
therein, which comprises an integral, activatable, heating (or
cooling) system for the product, which container includes a lining,
the lining and container defining at least three mutually
segregatable zones, these being i) one or more zones in which
product may be contained; ii) a zone in which a first kind of
chemical reactant may be contained and iii) a zone in which a
second kind of chemical reactant may be contained, the container
including a rotatable activator, for example, an activation knob,
located at the exterior of the container and, rotatably mounted
within the container and operative by rotation of the activator,
means for terminating the segregation of ii) and iii) wherein the
segregation of ii) and iii) includes an aperture closed by a
moveable element and the means for terminating the segregation of
ii) and iii) moves, e.g. by realignment, that element which, on
activation, allows the two kinds of reactant to mix thereby heating
or cooling i).
4. A container according to claim 3 wherein the aperture opening
means comprises a manifold fluidly communicable simultaneously with
ii) and iii) and registrable with the aperture by rotation of the
activator.
5. A container according to claim 1, wherein the activation knob
comprises tamper-evident means.
6. A container according to claim 5 which includes a first
tamper-evident means which comprises a frangible connection between
a tab of the activation knob and the boss of the knob.
7. A container according to claim 6 which includes a second
tamper-evident means effective to prevent counterotation of an at
least partly rotated activation knob.
8. A container according to claim 1 wherein the first kind of
chemical reactant comprises a fuel and the second kind of chemical
reactant comprises an oxidant.
9. A container according to claim 8 wherein the fuel comprises a
glycol, for example glycerol, and the oxidant comprises a
permanganate.
10. A container according to claim 8 wherein at least one kind of
chemical reactant includes a diluent.
11. A container according to claim 1 wherein, in service, iii) is
located below i).
12. A container according to claim 8 wherein the first kind of
chemical reactant is present as a liquid which, in service, is
gravity fed into iii).
13. A container according to claim 1 wherein pressure equalising
means is included between the upper regions of zones ii) and
iii).
14. A container according to claim 1 wherein the container and/or
the lining is injection moulded as a unitary structure.
15. A container according to claim 1 which has a generally circular
configuration.
16. A container according to claim 1 which includes peripherical,
spaced apart strengthening ribs.
17. A container according to claim 1 wherein the container and/or
lining are fabricated from a filled or unfilled plastics material
with a flow point above 110.degree. C., preferably above
135.degree. C.
18. A container according to claim 1 wherein the container and/or
lining are fabricated from a plastics material which comprises a
polyolefin or a polyester, for example polypropylene or CPET.
19. A container according to claim 1 wherein the lining includes a
contiguous barrier layer, for example EVOH.
20. A container according to claim 18 wherein the container is
injection molded and the lining is thermoformed from, or includes,
polypropylene.
21. A container according to claim 1 which includes an external
thermochromic region in thermal contact with zone i) which is
effective to change color on heating.
22. A container according to claim 1 wherein at least one of ii)
and iii) is charged with reactant prior to adhering the lining to
the container interior, for example by spot welding.
23. A filled container according to claim 1 which includes
comestibles in i).
24. A filled container according to claim 23 which is sealed, the
seal also acting as a third tamper-evident means.
25. A filled container according to claim 24 wherein the seal
comprises paper, card, plastics foil or metal foil.
26. A filled container according to claim 25 which also includes a
push-fit plastics lid.
27. A filled container according to claim 24 wherein the seal is a
hermetic seal and the comestibles are sterilised, if required.
28. (canceled)
29. A process for the preparation of a filled container according
to claim 23 which process comprises incorporating first and second
kinds of chemical reactants in zones ii) and iii), respectively;
adhering the lining to the container; forming a vent in the lining
over zone ii); filling zone i); and sealing the container.
30. A process according to claim 29 wherein zone i) is filled prior
to adhesion of the lining to the container.
31. (canceled)
32. A container element as defined in claim 22 in which the lining
is absent.
Description
[0001] This invention relates to containers. More particularly,
this invention relates to containers the contents of which may be
heated or cooled.
[0002] U.S. Pat. No. 4,809,673 discloses a heating device which has
a disposable tray with an upper compartment which contains a food
product and a lower compartment which has two reagents which are
separated from each other by one or more watertight partitions and
also having one axis with radial blades to tear said watertight
partitions and a control knob visible outside of the tray and,
moreover, having at least one screen equipped with orifices which
are crosswise to said axis.
[0003] The present applicants have found, however, difficulties in
endeavouring to make the preferred embodiment of that disclosure
function efficiently. Specifically, it is found that, in service,
the remains of the torn partitions are significant impediments to
heat transfer. Moreover, for a variety of reasons, including
surface tension and airlock effects, a significant quantity of the
reactant fuel remains with the original partition, reducing the
heating efficiency of the reaction and also impeding heat transfer.
The manner of mixing is also believed to result in local
overheating and, in other areas, imperfect heating of the contained
product.
[0004] This invention seeks to provide an improved container; in
particular, one where the above-mentioned disadvantages are
obviated or at least reduced.
[0005] According to one aspect of this invention, there is provided
a container, suitable for the inclusion therein of at least one
product to be heated or cooled, including but not limited to
comestibles, which comprises an integral, activatable, heating (or
cooling) system for the comestibles or other product, which
container includes a lining, the lining and container defining at
least three mutually segregatable zones, these including i) one or
more zones in which comestibles or other products may be contained;
ii) a zone in which a first kind of chemical reactant may be
contained and iii) a zone in which a second kind of chemical
reactant may be contained, the container including a rotatable
activator, for example an activation knob, located at the exterior
of the container and, rotatably mounted within the container and
operative by rotation of the activator, means for terminating the
segregation of ii) and iii) wherein the upper of ii) and iii) is
not located so as to impede, in service, heat transference from the
reactant mass to i) (or vice versa). Preferably, the upper of ii)
and iii) is interposed between i) and an exterior surface of the
container.
[0006] According to another aspect of this invention, there is
provided a container, suitable for the inclusion therein of at
least one product to be heated or cooled, including but not limited
to comestibles, which comprises an integral, activatable, heating
(or cooling) system for the comestibles or other product, which
container includes a lining, the lining and container defining at
least three mutually segregatable zones, these including i) one or
more zones in which comestibles or other products may be contained;
ii) a zone in which a first kind of chemical reactant may be
contained and iii) a zone in which a second kind of chemical
reactant may be contained, the container including a rotatable
activator, for example an activation knob, located at the exterior
of the container and, rotatably mounted within the container and
operative by rotation of the activator, means for terminating the
segregation of ii) and iii) wherein the segregation of ii) and iii)
includes an aperture, suitably pre-formed, closed by a moveable
element and the means for terminating the segregation of ii) and
iii) moves, e.g. by realignment, that element which, on activation,
allows the two kinds of reactant to mix thereby heating or cooling
i). Preferably, the aperture opening means comprises a manifold
fluidly communicable simultaneously with ii) and iii) and
registrable with the aperture by rotation of the activator.
[0007] The container can be of any general shape, for example
rectangular, round or oval. It is preferred that the container (or,
in a generally circular configuration, the outer bowl) is
fabricated from a plastics material, preferably by injection
moulding. The bowl may be relatively wide-mouthed such as a typical
soup bowl or relatively narrow-mouthed such as a cup for soup or
coffee. Desirably, the thickness of the container should not exceed
1.0 mm and is suitably from 0.3 to 0.7 mm, although local
thickening may be beneficial. The lining (or in a generally
circular configuration, the inner bowl) may be fabricated from
plastics material, either by thermoforming or injection moulding;
it may also be formed from metal foil, such as aluminium or tin
foil, for example by swaging the foil to the desired shape. The
metal is preferably coated with plastics material to assist in spot
welding and seaming over the container throat. The metal may also
be coated with lacquer or plastics material on the side contactable
with the comestibles.
[0008] In a preferred embodiment of the container, zones ii) and
iii) are injection moulded as a unitary structure. In this
embodiment, the lining includes zone i).
[0009] In a preferred embodiment, at least one of zones ii) and
iii), and preferably both zones, are charged with reactant prior to
adhering the lining to the container interior, for example by spot
welding. Indeed, it is a further aspect of this invention to
provide a partial container in which the lining is absent
comprising zones ii) and iii) wherein at least one, and preferably
both, zones are charged with reactant.
[0010] The rotatable activator is grippable by a user. It may be
configured, for example, as a knob, lever, handle, key or switch.
The activator and cooperating means for terminating the segregation
of zones ii) and iii) may also suitably be injection moulded as a
unitary structure. This structure is desirably mounted in the
container by push-fitting it, at lower temperature, into position
in the container while the latter is at elevated temperature.
[0011] It is preferred that the zone in which the chemical reactant
in liquid form is to be contained is, in service, both above the
zone in which the other kind of chemical reactant may be contained
and above the means for terminating the segregation of ii) and
iii). It is also preferred that iii) is located below i). It is
preferred wherein the first kind of chemical reactant is present as
a liquid which, in service, is gravity fed into iii).
[0012] The two kinds of chemical reactant may, on mixing, produce
heat or may produce a cooling effect. Examples of the former are
systems in which the first kind of chemical reactant comprises a
fuel and the second kind of chemical reactant comprises an oxidant;
for example, wherein the fuel comprises a glycol, such as glycerol,
and the oxidant comprises a permanganate. Another class of systems
which produce heat are those wherein one kind of chemical reactant
solvates or hydrolyses the other kind, generating an exotherm. An
example is where one kind of reactant is calcium oxide while the
other is water. Examples of the latter systems which produce a
cooling effect include those wherein one kind of chemical reactant
solvates the other but produces a cooling effect. An example is
where one kind of reactant is ammonium nitrate while the other is
water. At least one kind of chemical reactant may include a
diluent.
[0013] Without prejudice to the generality of this invention, this
will be further described in relation to the first kind of chemical
reactant including glycerol with the second kind of chemical
reactant including potassium permanganate. The glycerol may be
present in aqueous solution. The permanganate may be present as a
liquid solution such as a solution of sodium permanganate in water
or as a solid, such as potassium permanganate, the latter
preferably being embedded in a dissolvable binder as disclosed in,
for example U.S. Pat. No. 5,035,230 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,984,953.
Preferred oxidants are alkali metal permanganates. If the second
chemical reactant is a solid, it may be present loose or bagged or
coated on the lower portion of the container.
[0014] In certain embodiments utilizing potassium permanganate
oxidizer it may be desired to include in the heating formulation a
reaction moderator, for example, a non-fuel gelling agent such as
is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,116,231, issued 12 Sep. 2000. In
embodiments for which the reagents for the exothermic reaction
provide rapid heat generation for a fast temperature rise in the
product being heated, it may be desirable to include borax or a
salt such as sodium borate to moderate or cap the temperature
increase, such as is described, for example, in pending patent
application PCT/US2005/015793. A capping reagent may be provided in
a meltable wax thermally coupled to the product container for
release when a selected temperature is reached at the product
container.
[0015] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention,
zone ii) may contain aqueous glycerol solution that may include a
foam supressant. Part of the lower region of this zone is formed as
a hollow cylinder containing an aperture, preferably at its upper
surface, permitting when open communication between zone ii) and
zone iii). The means for terminating the segregation of zone ii)
and zone iii) includes a barrel comprising a hole or slot, push-fit
in liquid light manner into the cylinder, the means being attached
to the activation knob. In the unactivated state the hole or slot
is preferably diametrically opposed to the aperture in the
cylinder, the zones thereby being segregated.
[0016] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, zone ii)
is formed as a circumferential reservoir above zone iii). The
hollow cylinder contains two apertures, preferably at its upper
surface, one permitting when open communication between the lower
region of zone ii) and zone iii) while the other when open permits
communication between zone iii) and, via a conduit, the space above
zone ii). The means for terminating the segregation of zone ii) and
zone iii) includes a barrel configured as two manifolds push-fit in
liquid tight manner into the cylinder, the means being attached to
the activation knob. In the inactivated state the manifolds close
both apertures, the zones thereby being segregated.
[0017] It is preferred that the activation knob comprises
tamper-evident means to prevent unintended activation. A first
tamper-evident means comprises a frangible element preventing
rotation of the activator, for example a frangible connection
between the upright handle or tab of the knob and the boss of the
knob. In order to activate the container this frangible connection
has to be broken by pulling down the tab. The action of breaking a
frangible element furnishes evidence of tamper. It is also
preferred that the container includes a second tamper-evident means
effective to prevent counterotation of an at least partly rotated
knob. Such second tamper-evident means may include a pawl-rachet
system operating on the means for terminating the segregation of
zones ii) and iii). Alternatively, at least a part of the leading
edge of the slot thereof may be formed as a resilient tine which
enters the aperture on activation and prevents counterotation. In a
further embodiment of the second tamper-evident means that portion
of the frangible element initially preventing rotation of the
activator and remaining, on activation, on the boss of the knob
interacts with an interfering member on the bowl which prevents
counterotation. Desirably, this second tamper-evident means should
be operative as soon as the aperture begins to be opened in
service.
[0018] Once the container is filled in all three zones and is
sealed, a third tamper-evident means is preferably provided. Even
when the knob or other activator has been rotated, the system will
not function properly, and in some cases perhaps not at all, until
the seal is removed from the ventable cover for zone ii), thereby
permitting the chemical reactant in liquid form to discharge under
gravity feed through the aperture into zone iii). The vent is
preferably countersunk. Premature activation without removal of the
seal at least moderates heat generation, thereby providing a
measure of safety. Removal of the seal from the vent of the cover
for zone ii) also provides tamper-evident means. It may, on
occasion, be desirable to include pressure equalising means between
the upper regions of zones ii) and iii); for example, a
gas-permeable, liquid-impermeable port, conduit or a notch, between
the upper region of zone ii) and iii), thereby preventing the
stagnation of the thermally-insulating layer of air immediately
below zone i), particularly as it cooperates with the vent of zone
ii) described above. While the port could be blocked with a
pressure plug, the release pressure would be very low for example 2
psig, so as not to pressurise the containers.
[0019] The container may include peripheral, spaced apart
strengthening ribs. These ribs may also be hand-held, providing the
consumer with some thermal insulation. Likewise, the base of the
container may be recessed to avoid thermal conduction into support
surfaces. It may, on occasion, be suitable to provide an insulator
for the lower region of the container both for comfort of the
consumer and thermal efficiency of the heating system. Such
insulator may be a sleeve of, for example, corrugated paper board
or expanded foam or CPET.
[0020] The container and/or lining may be fabricated from a filled
or unfilled plastics material with a flow point above 110.degree.
C., preferably above 135.degree. C. Retort sterilisation takes the
temperature to 125.degree. C. The lining at least should be capable
to withstand retort sterilisation. Suitably the container and/or
lining are fabricated from a plastics material which comprises a
polyolefin or a polyester, for example polypropylene or PET. The
lining may, if required, include a contiguous barrier layer, for
example EVOH. It is particularly preferred that the lining be
thermoformed and the container injection moulded both from
polypropylene.
[0021] In accordance with a preferred feature of this invention,
and to promote consumer confidence, the activation knob and its
tamper-evident tab may be formed to function as a traditional gas
cooker knob, the tab being, in service, pulled down (thereby
rupturing its frangible tamper-evident means); locked into grooves
in the knob; and then used to turn the knob.
[0022] In accordance with another, preferred feature of the
invention, the container includes an external thermochromic region
in thermal contact with zone i) which is effective to change colour
on heating. This region may appear on the knob (for example, as a
spot at the centre of the knob) or it may be located on the foil
cover or may be a region for displaying promotional indicia, where
the thermochromic region appears as the indicia.
[0023] According to a further aspect of this invention, there is
provided a filled container which includes comestibles in i). Where
the comestible to be included in zone i) is a stable comestible,
this comestible may be included in zone i) before this is
incorporated in the container. Generally, however, the container
comprises zones ii) and iii) into which the chemical reactants are
placed and this part-structure is lined; a vent formed in the
lining; the lining is then filled and the container sealed.
[0024] The filled container may be sealed, the seal also acting as
a third tamper-evident means; for example, the seal may comprise
paper, card, plastics foil or metal foil. The filled container may
also include a push-fit plastics lid and/or may be included in a
card sleeve where the seal is a hermetic seal and the comestibles
are sterilised, if required.
[0025] In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, there
is provided a process for the preparation of a filled container
according to this invention which process comprises incorporating
first and second kinds of chemical reactants in zones ii) and iii),
respectively; adhering the lining to the container; forming a vent
in the lining over zone ii); filling zone i); and sealing the
container. Suitably zone i) is filled prior to adhesion of the
lining to the container.
[0026] The invention will now be described, by way of example, with
reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
[0027] FIG. 1a represents a side elevation vertical medial
cross-section of a first embodiment of the container in an
untampered state;
[0028] FIG. 1b represents a side elevation vertical medial
cross-section of a first embodiment of the container in a tampered
state;
[0029] FIG. 2 represents a top perspective elevation of the
container shown in FIG. 1;
[0030] FIG. 3 represents a bottom perspective elevation of the
container shown in FIG. 1;
[0031] FIG. 4 represents a bottom perspective elevation of the
container shown in FIG. 1 without the knob;
[0032] FIG. 5 represents a top perspective elevation of the
container shown in FIG. 4;
[0033] FIG. 6 shows detail of FIG. 1;
[0034] FIG. 7 represents a top, rear perspective elevation of the
detail of the knob construction;
[0035] FIG. 8 represents a bottom, front perspective elevation
detail of the knob construction; and
[0036] FIG. 9 represents detail of the rotatable activator showing
one embodiment of the second tamper evident means.
[0037] FIG. 10 represents a front elevation of a second embodiment
of the container, complete with affixed paper or plastics
shroud;
[0038] FIG. 11A represents a side elevation of the second
embodiment shown in FIG. 10 and in the untampered state;
[0039] FIG. 11B represents a top perspective elevation of the
container shown in FIG. 11A;
[0040] FIG. 12A represents a side elevation of the container shown
in FIG. 10 and in the tampered state;
[0041] FIG. 12B represents a top perspective elevation of the
container shown in FIG. 12A;
[0042] FIG. 13A represents a top perspective elevation of the
container in FIG. 11A with the shroud, lining, wad, knob, filter
and tape all removed;
[0043] FIG. 13B represents a rear elevation of the container shown
in FIG. 13A;
[0044] FIG. 13C represents a top perspective elevation of the
lining (not to scale);
[0045] FIG. 13D represents a top perspective elevation of the
shroud (not to scale);
[0046] FIG. 14 represents a diametric vertical section through the
activator knob housing of the container shown in FIG. 11A with the
shroud removed;
[0047] FIG. 15 represents a bottom perspective view of detail of
the exploded activator knob housing; and
[0048] FIG. 16 represents a top perspective elevation of the
container with the lining removed.
[0049] Referring to the drawings at FIGS. 1 to 9, there is shown a
first embodiment of a container (101), for example, a bowl,
fabricated from polypropylene and of generally circular
configuration preparable by injection moulding techniques. The
opening of the container is formed as a lip (102) from which depend
a plurality of spaced-apart, integral strengthening ribs (103). The
container is formed with a generally tapering depth which is
waisted to form a base (104). Between two adjacent ribs (103A,
103B) are instructing indicia (105) and between their lower regions
the container is formed as a housing (106) for an activation knob
(107) which knob is formed about its lower hemi-circumference with
an integral flange (108) which, in turn, extends upwardly into a
tamper-evident tab (109) which obscures the indicia. At that
diameter where the flange extends into the tab a band of reduced
thickness (110) is formed and the tab is, about the upper
hemi-circumference of the knob, separate therefrom except for a
frangible connection (111). The knob (107) includes a pair of
grooves (112, 112') along the diameter of the reduced thickness
(110) spaced to receive the tab in a push-fit manner after the
frangible connection (111) is broken in use. That portion (111A) of
the frangible connection retained on the knob is rotatable, in
service, to ride over a chamfered pin (112B) integral with the
container and effective to prevent counterotation of the knob. The
interior of the container or outer bowl (113) is formed by an
integral partition (114) into two zones, a gibbous zone (115) in
which a second kind of chemical reactant is incorporated and a
crescent zone (116) in which a first kind of chemical reactant is
incorporated. Interposed between the partition and the container
and forming an integral part of the base of zone (116) is an
integral generally cylindrical housing (117) containing a vertical
port (118) and a horizontal aperture (119) by which the two zones
may be put in fluid communication.
[0050] The interior of the container or outer bowl includes a
flanged lining or inner bowl (120) which is spot-welded to the lip
(102) at a plurality of locations and which includes a vent (121)
over the crescent zone. Comestibles (not shown) may be included in
the lining and the container may then be sealed with a foil (not
shown) and sterilised.
[0051] The knob (107) is integrally formed with an axle (121A)
which is push-fit in liquid-tight manner into the housing (117).
The axle contains a port (122) which, in the untampered state, is
out of register with the aperture (119).
[0052] In use, the sealing foil (not shown) is removed and the tab
(109) is manipulated downwardly to break the frangible connection
(111); is located in grooves (112, 112'); and then turned in
accordance with the now-displayed instructing indicia (105). This
rotates the axle (121) so that the port (122) becomes in register
with the aperture (119). This permits the glycerol, as fuel, to
access the potassium permanganate, as oxidant. The resulting
exotherm is transmitted to the comestible (not shown) housed in the
protective lining (120). The comestible content may then be served
by removing the sealing foil (not shown) in accordance with the
instructing indicia and either decanting the content or consuming
it directly from the container.
[0053] Referring now to the drawings at FIGS. 10 to 16, there is
shown a second embodiment of a container (201), for example a cup,
fabricated generally from polypropylene and of generally circular
configuration preparable by injection moulding techniques. The
container comprises an self-adhesive external, circumferential
paper or plastics shroud (202) which may be branded (not shown) for
the retailer. The container is optionally formed with a generally
tapering depth and, for about its external lower half, with a
plurality of radially extending, spaced apart strengthening ribs
(203). Located at about the midpoint of its depth, the container is
formed as a generally cylindrical housing (206) for an activation
knob (207), shown in detail in FIG. 15, which knob is formed about
its lower hemi-circumference with an integral flange (208) seated
on a boss (204) to which it is attached by integral strengthening
members (205). The flange (208) extends upwardly into a
tamper-evident tab (209), separated from the boss except for a
frangible connection (211). At that diameter where the flange
extends into the tab a band of reduced thickness is provided
bounded by two tongue and groove arrays (210, 210') which are
positioned to be in register to receive the tab in a push-fit
manner after the frangible connection (211) is broken in use. The
barrel of the housing (206) includes a circumferential rachet (250)
(shown in part) which cooperates with a pawl (251) integrally
mounted from the boss (204) to prevent accidental counterrotation
of the knob. The housing (206) further includes two lugs (264,
264') diametrically opposed along the line of arrays (210, 210') in
the untampered position and which interfere with the tab (209) to
prevent accidental rotation of the knob (207).
[0054] The container (201) includes a lip (252) over which a
coaxial, flanged lining (220) with a recessed throat (253), of
formed metal coated with polypropylene, is seated and to which the
lining is spot-welded and seamed over. The lining is push-fitted
into the interior surface of a circumferentially located first
reservoir (216) inbuilt into the upper wall of the container (201)
in which a first kind of reactant, such as aqueous glycerol, may be
included. Integral with the container and beneath the lining is a
second reservoir (215) in which a second kind of reactant, such as
a permanganate salt, may be included.
[0055] At an upper point of the exterior surface of the first
reservoir (216) there are two vents (254, 255) which fluidly
communicate with the reservoir. The upper vent (254) releases
vapour (should this be generated by the reactants) and is covered
with a filter material (not shown). The lower vent (255) is for
fail-safe pressure release and is covered with adhesive tape (not
shown). Both vents feed, via a generally triangular trough (256) in
the exterior surface of the container to an absorbent wad (257)
housed in a generally trapezoidal recess (258) in the container
wall.
[0056] A portion of the base of the first reservoir (216) is formed
as an integral, generally cylindrical housing (217) communicating
and coaxial with the housing (206), this being orthogonal to the
container axis and the upper region of housing (217) includes a
horizontal aperture (218). The first reservoir also includes a
convex walled conduit (259) communicating with the upper region of
housing (217) and the region above the first reservoir (260)
proximate the upper vent (254). The activator knob (207) is
integrally formed with an axle (221) which is push-fit in liquid
tight manner into the housing (217) retained by flange (261). The
interior of the axle is formed as two manifolds (262, 263), the
lower one (262), in service, putting the aperture (218) to first
reservoir (216) in fluid communication with the second reservoir
(215) the upper one (263) simultaneously putting the conduit (259)
in fluid communication with the second reservoir (215). However, in
the untampered state both manifolds (262, 263) are out of register
with the reservoir (216) and conduit (259), respectively.
[0057] Reactants (not shown) may be included in the reservoir
before the lining is push-fitted into position and spot-welded and
seamed over.
[0058] Comestibles (not shown) may then be included in the lining
and the container may next be sealed across the recessed throat
(253) with a foil (not shown) and sterilised.
[0059] In use, the consumer removes the sealing foil (not shown)
and the tab (209) is manipulated downwardly to break the frangible
connection (211); is located in array (210'); and then turned
clockwise. This rotates the axle (221) so that the aperture (218)
is, via manifold (262), put in fluid communication with the second
reservoir (215) thereby permitting the liquid first kind of
reactant in the first reservoir (216) to flow under gravity and mix
with the second kind of reactant creating an exotherm (or
endotherm) to heat (or cool, respectively) the lining (220) and its
contents. Simultaneously, manifold (263) is put in fluid
communication with the conduit (259) thereby permitting air over
the second reservoir (215) to flow into the first reservoir (216)
and vent (254), ensuring smooth, controlled mixing of reactant.
Where the reactants generate an exotherm any steam evolved in the
second reservoir (215) may pass through (256) to the absorbent wad
(257). This is masked by the shroud (202) which, together with the
inter-rib spacing, provides insulation for the consumer's hand. On
completion of the reaction the consumer may drink the heated (or
cooled) beverage.
* * * * *