U.S. patent application number 13/133621 was filed with the patent office on 2011-11-10 for system and method for providing a self cooling container.
This patent application is currently assigned to CARLSBERG BREWERIES A/S. Invention is credited to Martin Gerth, Jan Norager Rasmussen, Steen Vesborg.
Application Number | 20110271692 13/133621 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41693168 |
Filed Date | 2011-11-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110271692 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rasmussen; Jan Norager ; et
al. |
November 10, 2011 |
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING A SELF COOLING CONTAINER
Abstract
The present invention relates to a container for storing a
beverage, the container having a container body and a closure and
defining an inner chamber, the inner chamber defining an inner
volume and including a specific volume of the beverage. The
container further includes a cooling device having a housing
defining a housing volume. The cooling device includes at least two
separate, substantially non-toxic reactants causing an
entropy-increasing reaction producing substantially non-toxic
products in a stoichiometric number. The at least two separate
substantially non-toxic reactants initially being included in the
cooling device are separated from one another and causing an
entropy-increasing reaction and a heat reduction of the beverage of
at least 50 Joules/ml beverage. The cooling device further includes
an actuator for initiating the reaction between the at least two
separate, substantially non-toxic reactants.
Inventors: |
Rasmussen; Jan Norager;
(Olstykke, DK) ; Vesborg; Steen; (Gentofte,
DK) ; Gerth; Martin; (Copenhagen, DK) |
Assignee: |
CARLSBERG BREWERIES A/S
Copenhagen V
DK
|
Family ID: |
41693168 |
Appl. No.: |
13/133621 |
Filed: |
December 9, 2009 |
PCT Filed: |
December 9, 2009 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2009/066697 |
371 Date: |
July 11, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/4 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25D 5/02 20130101; F25D
2331/805 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
62/4 |
International
Class: |
F25D 5/00 20060101
F25D005/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 9, 2008 |
EP |
08388046.8 |
Sep 14, 2009 |
EP |
09170226.6 |
Claims
1-17. (canceled)
18. A system for providing beverage containers containing a
beverage at a first temperature that is between an average ambient
temperature and 0.degree. C., the system comprising: a plurality of
beverage containers, each container having a container body with an
inner chamber that defines an inner volume dimensioned to contain a
specific volume of beverage; a cooling device in each of the
containers, each of the cooling devices having a housing defining a
housing volume not exceeding approximately 33% of the specific
volume of the beverage and not exceeding approximately 25% of the
inner volume, each of the cooling devices including at least two
separate, substantially non-toxic reactants that are capable of
reacting with one another to produce a non-reversible,
entropy-increasing reaction producing substantially non-toxic
products in a stoichiometric number at least a factor of 3 larger
than the stoichiometric number of the reactants, wherein the
reaction is capable of cooling a beverage contained in each of the
containers from a second temperature that is higher than the first
temperature to the first temperature within a period of time of no
more than about 5 minutes; an actuator operatively associated with
each of the cooling devices and operable for initiating the
reaction between the reactants when each of the containers is
opened; a cabinet having a cabinet chamber configured for storing
the plurality of containers and for providing access to the
containers stored in the chamber; and a thermostatically controlled
temperature controlling mechanism operable for maintaining the
second temperature within the cabinet.
19. The system of claim 18, wherein the actuator includes a
pressure transmitter operable for transmitting a pressure change
within the inner chamber to the cooling device for initiating the
reaction in response to the pressure change.
20. The system of claim 18, wherein each of the reactants is
contained within a separate compartment within each of the cooling
devices, the compartments being separated by a membrane that is
breachable by the actuator.
21. The system of claim 18, wherein each of the reactants is
contained within a separate compartment within each of the cooling
devices, the compartments being separated by a plug that is
displaceable by the actuator.
22. The system of claim 18, wherein each of the container bodies
further comprises a closure for the inner chamber, and wherein the
actuator is located outside of the container body and is operable
to initiate the reaction through the closure.
23. The system of claim 18, wherein the reaction produces a
volumetric change from the reactants to the substantially non-toxic
products of no more than about .+-.5%.
24. The system of claim 18, wherein each of the cooling devices is
vented to the atmosphere.
25. The system of claim 18, wherein at least the first reactant is
formed of granules having an external coating that allows the
reaction of the first reactant with another reactant only in
response to the dissolution of the coating by a solvent.
26. The system of claim 18, wherein each of the cooling devices
further includes a chemical activator serving as a
reaction-controlling agent.
27. The system of claim 26, wherein the chemical activator is
selected from the group consisting of one or more of water,
alcohol, propylene glycol, and acetone.
28. The system of claim 26, wherein the reaction-controlling agent
is a selective adsorption-controlling agent.
29. The system of claim 26, wherein the reaction-controlling agent
is a retardation temperature setting agent.
30. The system of claim 18, wherein the reactants comprise one or
more salt hydrates deliberating in the non-reversible,
entropy-increasing reaction a number of free water molecules.
31. The system of claim 18, further comprising a third separate,
substantially non-toxic reactant, wherein the second and third
reactants are formed as separate granules, and wherein the first
reactant is a coating covering the granules of the second and third
reactants.
32. The system of claim 31, wherein the second and third reactants
generate a first non-reversible entropy-increasing reaction
producing an intermediate reaction product, and wherein the third
reactant reacts with the intermediate reaction product generating a
second non-reversible entropy-increasing reaction.
33. The system of claim 32, wherein the intermediate reaction
product is a gas, and wherein the second non-reversible
entropy-increasing reaction generates one of a complex and a
precipitate.
34. The system of claim 31, wherein the coating is dissolvable by a
solvent, and wherein the first, second and third reactants are
reactable with each other only in response to the dissolution of
the coating.
35. The system of claim 18, wherein each of the cooling devices is
accommodated within one of the container bodies.
36. The system of claim 18, wherein the second temperature is
between 15.degree. C. and 30.degree. C.
37. The system of claim 18, wherein the temperature controlling
mechanism is operable to both cool and heat the cabinet
chamber.
38. The system of claim 18, wherein each of the beverage containers
stored in the cabinet chamber has a power consumption not exceeding
0.2 W.
39. A method of providing a container containing a beverage at a
first temperature that is between an average ambient temperature
and 0.degree. C., the container having a container body with an
inner chamber defining an inner volume and containing a specific
volume of the beverage, the method comprising: (a) providing the
container with a cooling device having a housing defining a housing
volume not exceeding approximately 33% of the specific volume of
the beverage and not exceeding approximately 25% of the inner
volume, the cooling device including at least two separate,
substantially non-toxic reactants that are capable of reacting with
one another to produce a non-reversible, entropy-increasing
reaction producing substantially non-toxic products in a
stoichiometric number at least a factor of 3 larger than the
stoichiometric number of the reactants, wherein the reaction is
capable of cooling the beverage in the inner chamber from a second
temperature higher than the first temperature to the first
temperature within a period of time of no more than about 5
minutes; (b) providing an actuator operatively associated with the
cooling device so as to initiate the reaction in response to
opening the container; (c) providing a cabinet having a cabinet
chamber configured for storing the container and for providing
access to the container stored in the cabinet chamber; (d)
controlling the temperature of the cabinet chamber to provide the
second temperature in the cabinet chamber; (e) storing the
container in the cabinet chamber for a sufficient time to allow the
beverage contained in the container to stabilize at the second
temperature; (f) removing the container from the cabinet chamber;
and (g) opening the container so as to initiate the non-reversible,
entropy increasing reaction, thereby causing the beverage contained
in the inner chamber of the container to cool to the first
temperature.
40. The method of claim 39, wherein the actuator includes a
pressure transmitter operable for transmitting a pressure change
within the inner chamber to the cooling device for initiating the
reaction in response to the pressure change.
41. The method of claim 39, wherein each of the reactants is
contained within a separate compartment within the cooling device,
the compartments being separated by a membrane that is breachable
by the actuator.
42. The method of claim 39, wherein each of the reactants is
contained within a separate compartment within the cooling device,
the compartments being separated by a plug that is displaceable by
the actuator.
43. The method of claim 39, wherein the container body further
comprises a closure for the inner chamber, and wherein the actuator
is located outside of the container body and is operable to
initiate the reaction through the closure.
44. The method of claim 39, wherein the reaction produces a
volumetric change from the reactants to the substantially non-toxic
products of no more than about .+-.5%.
45. The method of claim 39, wherein the cooling device is vented to
the atmosphere.
46. The method of claim 39, wherein at least the first reactant is
formed of granules having an external coating that allows the
reaction of the first reactant with another reactant only in
response to the dissolution of the coating by a solvent.
47. The method of claim 39, wherein the cooling device further
includes a chemical activator serving as a reaction-controlling
agent.
48. The method of claim 47, wherein the chemical activator is
selected from the group consisting of one or more of water,
alcohol, propylene glycol, and acetone.
49. The method of claim 47, wherein the reaction-controlling agent
is a selective adsorption-controlling agent
50. The method of claim 47, wherein the reaction-controlling agent
is a retardation temperature setting agent.
51. The method of claim 39, wherein the reactants comprise one or
more salt hydrates deliberating in the non-reversible,
entropy-increasing reaction a number of free water molecules.
52. The method of claim 39, further comprising a third separate,
substantially non-toxic reactant, wherein the second and third
reactants are formed as separate granules, and wherein the first
reactant is a coating covering the granules of the second and third
reactants.
53. The method of claim 52, wherein the second and third reactants
generate a first non-reversible entropy-increasing reaction
producing an intermediate reaction product, and wherein the third
reactant reacts with the intermediate reaction product generating a
second non-reversible entropy-increasing reaction.
54. The method of claim 53, wherein the intermediate reaction
product is a gas, and wherein the second non-reversible
entropy-increasing reaction generates one of a complex and a
precipitate.
55. The method of claim 52, wherein the coating is dissolvable by a
solvent, and wherein the first, second and third reactants are
reactable with each other only in response to the dissolution of
the coating.
56. The method of claim 39, wherein the cooling device is
accommodated within the container body.
57. The method of claim 39, wherein the second temperature is
between 15.degree. C. and 30.degree. C.
58. The method of claim 39, wherein the temperature controlling
mechanism is operable to both cool and heat the cabinet
chamber.
59. The method of claim 39, wherein the beverage container stored
in the cabinet chamber has a power consumption not exceeding 0.2 W.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a national phase filing, under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.371(c), of International Application No. PCT/EP2009/066697,
filed Dec. 9, 2009, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein
by reference in its entirety. This application is also related to
commonly assigned U.S. Application Serial No. 13/133,609, filed on
Jun. 8, 2011, entitled "A SELF COOLING CONTAINER AND A COOLING
DEVICE."
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable
BACKGROUND
[0003] Beverage cans and beverage bottles have been used for
decades for storing beverages, such as carbonated beverages,
including beer, cider, sparkling wine, carbonated mineral water or
various soft drinks, or alternatively non-carbonated beverages,
such as non-carbonated water, milk products such as milk and
yoghurt, wine or various fruit juices. The beverage containers,
such as bottles and in particular cans, are typically designed for
accommodating a maximum amount of beverage, while minimising the
amount of material used, while still ensuring the mechanical
stability of the beverage container.
[0004] Most beverages have an optimal serving temperature
significantly below the typical storage temperature. Beverage
containers are typically stored at room temperatures in
supermarkets, restaurants, private homes and storage facilities.
The optimal consumption temperature for most beverages is around
5.degree. C. and therefore, cooling is needed before serving the
beverage. Typically, the beverage container is positioned in a
refrigerator or a cold storage room or the like well in advance of
serving the beverage so that the beverage may assume a temperature
of about 5.degree. C. before serving. Persons wishing to have a
beverage readily available for consumption must therefore keep
their beverage stored at a low temperature permanently. Many
commercial establishments such as bars, restaurants, supermarkets
and petrol stations require constantly running refrigerators for
being able to satisfy the customers' need of cool beverage. This
may be regarded a waste of energy since the beverage can may have
to be stored for a long time before being consumed.
[0005] As discussed above, the cooling of beverage containers by
means of refrigeration is very slow and constitutes a waste of
energy. Some persons may decrease the time needed for cooling by
storing the beverage container for a short period of time inside a
freezer or similar storage facility having a temperature well below
the freezing point. This, however, constitutes a safety risk
because if the beverage container is not removed from the freezer
well before it freezes, it may cause a rupture in the beverage can
due to the expanding beverage. Alternatively, a bucket of ice and
water may be used for a more efficient cooling of beverage since
the thermal conductivity of water is significantly above the
thermal conductivity of air.
[0006] It would be advantageous if the beverage container itself
contains a cooling element, which may be activated shortly before
consuming the beverage for cooling the beverage to a suitable low
temperature. Within the beverage field of packaging, a particular
technique relating to cooling of beverage cans and self-cooling
beverage cans have been described in among others U.S. Pat. No.
4,403,567, U.S. Pat. No. 7,117,684, EP0498428, U.S. Pat. No.
2,882,691, GB2384846, WO2008000271, GB2261501, U.S. Pat. No.
4,209,413, U.S. Pat. No. 4,273,667, U.S. Pat. No. 4,303,121, U.S.
Pat. No. 4,470,917, U.S. Pat. No. 4,689,164, US20080178865,
JP2003207243, JP2000265165, U.S. Pat. No. 3,309,890, WO8502009,
U.S. Pat. No. 3,229,478, U.S. Pat. No. 4,599,872, U.S. Pat. No.
4,669,273, WO2000077463, EP87859 (fam U.S. Pat. No. 4,470,917),
U.S. Pat. No. 4,277,357, DE3024856, U.S. Pat. No. 5,261,241 (fam
EP0498428), GB1596076, U.S. Pat. No. 6,558,434, WO02085748, U.S.
Pat. No. 4,993,239, U.S. Pat. No. 4,759,191, U.S. Pat. No.
4,752,310, WO0110738, EP1746365, U.S. Pat. No. 7,117,684,
EP0498428, U.S. Pat. No. 4,784,678, U.S. Pat. No. 2,746,265, U.S.
Pat. No. 1,897,723, U.S. Pat. No. 2,882,691, GB2384846, U.S. Pat.
No. 4,802,343, U.S. Pat. No. 4,993,237, WO2008000271, GB2261501,
US20080178865, JP2003207243, U.S. Pat. No. 3,309,890, U.S. Pat. No.
3,229,478, WO2000077463, WO02085748.
[0007] The above-mentioned documents describe technologies for
generating cooling via a chemical reaction, alternatively via
vaporisation. For using such technologies as described above, an
instant cooling can be provided to a beverage and the need of
pre-cooling and consumption of electrical energy is avoided. Among
the above technologies, the cooling device is large in comparison
with the beverage container. In other words, a large beverage
container has to be provided for accommodating a small amount of
beverage resulting in a waste of material and volume. Consequently,
there is a need for cooling devices generating more cooling and/or
occupying less space within the beverage container.
[0008] Prior technologies for generating cooling via a chemical
reaction suffer from the problem that although the cooling effect
of the reaction is known, the initial temperature of the beverage
container is unknown. Therefore, the end temperature of the
beverage will be unknown, i.e. depends on the initial temperature
of the beverage container. It is an object of the present invention
to provide a beverage container at a predetermined low
temperature.
SUMMARY
[0009] A feature of the present invention is to provide a cooling
device which may be used inside a beverage container for reducing
the temperature of a beverage from about 22.degree. C. to about
5.degree. C., thereby eliminating or at least substantially
reducing the need of electrical powered external cooling.
[0010] A further advantage according to the present invention is
that the beverage container and the cooling device may be stored
for an extended time such as weeks, months or years until shortly
before the beverage is about to be consumed at which time the
cooling device is activated and the beverage is cooled to a
suitable consumption temperature. It is therefore a further object
of the present invention to provide activators for activating the
cooling device shortly before the beverage is about to be
consumed.
[0011] According to a first aspect of the present invention, the
cooling device may be used in combination with a system for
providing a container including a beverage of a first temperature
constituting a specific low temperature such as a temperature of
approximately 5.degree. C., the system comprising: [0012] i) a
closed cabinet defining an inner cabinet chamber for storing a
plurality of the containers and having a dispensing opening for the
dispensing of the containers, one at a time, or alternatively
having an openable door providing access to the inner cabinet
chamber for the removal of one or more of the containers from
within the inner cabinet chamber, the closed cabinet having
thermostatically controlled temperature controlling means for
maintaining the temperature within the inner cabinet chamber at a
second temperature constituting an elevated temperature as compared
to the first temperature and preferably a temperature at or
slightly below the average ambient temperature, [0013] ii) a
plurality of the containers, [0014] each of the containers having a
container body and a closure and defining an inner chamber, the
inner chamber defining an inner volume and including a specific
volume of the beverage, [0015] each of the containers further
including a cooling device having a housing defining a housing
volume not exceeding approximately 33% of the specific volume of
the beverage and further not exceeding approximately 25% of the
inner volume, [0016] the cooling device including at least two
separate, substantially non-toxic reactants causing when reacting
with one another a non-reversible, entropy-increasing reaction
producing substantially non-toxic products in a stoichiometric
number at least a factor 3, preferably at least a factor 4, more
preferably at least a factor 5 larger than the stoichiometric
number of the reactants, [0017] the at least two separate
substantially non-toxic reactants initially being included in the
cooling device separated from one another and causing, when
reacting with one another in the non-reversible, entropy-increasing
reaction, a cooling of the beverage from said second temperature to
the first temperature within a period of time of no more than 5
min. preferably no more than 3 min., more preferably no more than 2
min., and [0018] the cooling device further including an actuator
for initiating the reaction between the at least two separate,
substantially non-toxic reactants, when opening the container.
[0019] Such system may be used to provide beverage containers of a
very specific temperature, however, requiring much less energy
compared to using a conventional refrigerator. Conventional
refrigerators, which are especially fitted for receiving and
dispensing beverage containers, are common and described e.g. in EP
1 713 038 A1. In the present context, it should be mentioned that
the applicant company alone installs approximately 17000
refrigerators a year for providing cool beverages, and each
refrigerator typically has a wattage of about 200 W. Such
refrigerators must be constantly running and therefore consume a
considerable amount of electrical energy during their lifetime. By
instead providing a cabinet holding a well-defined temperature,
typically room temperature of 22.degree. C., a well-defined cooling
of the beverage may be the result even if the ambient room
temperature would differ from the typical room temperature. The
cooling device should be capable of lowering the temperature of the
beverage container from the second temperature to the first
temperature.
[0020] The container is typically a small container intended for
one serving having a volume of about 20 to 75 centilitres of
beverage. In some cases, however, it may be decided to use a
cooling device with a larger container, such as a large bottle or
vessel, which may accommodate one litre of beverage or a keg, which
may accommodate five litres or more of beverage. In such cases, a
cooling device is intended to give the beverage an instant cooling
to suitable consumption temperature for the first serving of
beverage, where after the beverage may be kept in a refrigerator
for subsequent servings. The container is preferably made of
aluminium, which is simple to manufacture, i.e. by stamping, and
which may be recycled in an environmentally friendly way by melting
of the container. Alternatively, collapsible or non-collapsible
containers may be manufactured in polymeric materials such as PET
plastics. Yet alternatively, the container may be a conventional
glass bottle.
[0021] The cooling device is preferably fixated to the beverage
container, such as fixated to the bottom of the container or the
lid of the container. The cooling device should have a housing for
separating the beverage and the reactant. The cooling device should
not require a too large portion of the inner volume of the beverage
container, since a too large cooling device will result in a
smaller amount of beverage being accommodated in the beverage
container. This would require either larger beverage containers or
alternatively more beverage containers being produced for
accommodating the same amount of beverage, both options being
ecologically and economically undesired due to more raw material
being used for manufacturing containers and more storage and
transportation volume. It has been contemplated that a cooling
device housing volume of about 33% of the beverage volume and 25%
of the total inner volume of the beverage container would be still
acceptable trade off between cooling efficiency and accommodated
beverage volume. A too small cooling device would not be able to
cool the beverage to sufficiently low temperatures.
[0022] The two reactants used in the cooling device should be held
separately before activation of the cooling device and when the
cooling device is activated, the two reactants are caused to react
with one another. The reactants may be held separately by for
instance being accommodated in two separated chambers or
alternatively, one or both of the reactants may be provided with a
coating preventing any reaction to start until activation. The two
reactants should be substantially non-toxic, which will be
understood to mean non-fatal if accidentally consumed in the
relevant amounts used in the cooling device. It is further
contemplated that there may be more than two reactants, such as
three or more reactants. The reaction should be an entropy
increasing reaction, i.e. the number of reaction products should be
larger than the number of reactants. In the present context it has
surprisingly been found out that an entropy increasing reaction
producing products of a stoichiometric number of at least three,
preferably four or more, preferably five larger than the
stoichiometric number of the reactants will produce a more
efficient cooling than a smaller stoichiometric number. The
stoichiometric number is the relationship between the number of
products divided with the number of reactants. The reaction should
be non-reversible, i.e. understood to mean it should not without
significant difficulties be possible to reverse the reaction, which
would cause a possible reheating of the beverage. The temperature
of the beverage should be reduced by at least 15.degree. C. or
preferably 20.degree. C., which for a water-based beverage
corresponds to a heat reduction of the beverage of about 50 to 85
joules per liter of beverage. Any smaller temperature or heat
reduction would not yield a sufficient cooling to the beverage, and
the beverage would be still unsuitably warm when the chemical
reaction has ended and the beverage is about to be consumed.
Preferably, the chemical reaction produces a heat reduction of
120-240 J/ml of reactants, or most preferably 240-330 J/ml of
reactants. Such cooling efficiency is approximately the cooling
efficiency achieved by melting of ice into water. The chemical
reaction should preferably be as quick as possible, however still
allowing some time for the thermal energy transport for avoiding
ice formation near the cooling device. It has been contemplated
that preferably the heat or temperature reduction is accomplished
within no more than five minutes or preferably no more than two
minutes. These are time periods which are acceptable before
beverage consumption. In the present context it may be noted that
carbonated beverages typically allow a lower temperature of the
cooling device compared to non-carbonated beverages since the
formation of CO.sub.2 bubbles rising in the beverage will increase
the amount of turbulence in the beverage and therefore cause the
temperature to equalize faster within the beverage.
[0023] Further, the term non-reversible should be considered to be
synonymous with the word irreversible. The term non-reversible
reaction should be understood to mean a reaction in which the
reaction products and the reactants do not form a chemical
equilibrium which is reversible by simply changing the proportions
of the reactants and/or the reaction products and/or the external
conditions such as pressure, temperature etc. Examples of
non-reversible reactions include reactions in which the reaction
products constitute a complex, a precipitation or a gas. Chemical
reactions, such as reactions involving dissolving of a salt in a
liquid such as water and disassociation of the salt into ions,
which form an equilibrium, will come to a natural stop when the
forward reaction and the backward reaction proceed at equal rate.
E.g. in most solutions or mixtures the reaction is limited by the
solubility of the reactants. A non-reversible reaction as defined
above will continue until all of the reactants have reacted.
[0024] German published patent application DE 21 50 305 A1
describes a method for cooling beverage bottles or cans. A cooling
cartridge including a soluble salt is included in the bottle or
can. By dissolving the salt in a specific volume of water a cooling
effect is obtained by utilizing the negative solution enthalpy.
However, by using the negative solution enthalpy as proposed, the
lowest temperature achieved was about 12.degree. C., assuming an
initial temperature of 21.degree. C. None of the examples of
embodiments achieves the sought temperature of about 5.degree. C.
By calculating the heat reduction in the beverage (Q=c*m*.DELTA.T),
the example embodiments achieve heat reductions of only about 15-38
J/ml of beverage. All of the examples of embodiments also require
reactants having a total volume exceeding 33% of the beverage
volume. Further, all of the reactions proposed in the
above-mentioned document are considered as reversible, since the
reactions may be reversed by simply removing the water from the
solution. By removing the water, the dissolved salt ions will
recombine and form the original reactants.
[0025] The German utility model DE 299 11 156 U1 discloses a
beverage can having an external cooling element. The cooling
element may be activated by applying pressure to mix two chemicals
located therein. The document only describes a single chemical
reaction including dissolving and disassociation of potassium
chloride, saltpeter and salmiac salt in water which is stated to
reach a temperature of 0.degree. C. or even -16.degree. C. of the
cooling element, although the description is silent about the
starting temperature of the cooling element. The description is
also silent about the dimensions used for the cooling element and
which volumes of beverage and reactants are used.
[0026] Many non-reversible entropy increasing reactions are known
as such. One example is found on the below internet URL:
http://web.archive.org/web/20071129232734/http://chemed.chem.purdue.edu/d-
emo/demosheets/5.1.html. The above reference suggests the below
reaction:
Ba(OH).sub.2.8H.sub.2O(s)+2NH.sub.4SCN(s).fwdarw.Ba(SCN).sub.2+2NH.sub.3-
(g)+10H.sub.2O(l)
[0027] The above reference suggests that the reaction above is
endothermal and entropy increasing and generates a temperature
below the freezing temperature of water. However, there is no
indication that the above reaction may be used in connection with
the cooling of beverage, nor is any information about the amounts
of reactants required available, nor the use of an actuator to
initiate the reaction.
[0028] Different from most solution reactions, it should be noted
that the above reaction may be initiated without the addition of
any liquid water. Some other non-reversible entropy increasing
reactions require only a single drop of water to initiate.
[0029] The use of ammonia is in the present context not preferred,
since ammonia may be considered toxic, and will, in case it escapes
into the beverage, yield a very unpleasant taste to the beverage.
Preferably, all reactants as well as reaction products should in
addition to being non-toxic have a neutral taste in case of
accidental release into the beverage.
[0030] An actuator is used for activating the chemical reaction
between the reactants. A reactant may include a pressure
transmitter for transmitting a pressure increase, or alternatively
a pressure drop, from within the beverage container to the cooling
device for initiating the reaction. The pressure drop is typically
achieved when the beverage container is open, thus the cooling
device may be arranged to activate when the beverage container is
being opened, alternatively, a mechanical actuator may be used to
initiate the chemical reaction. The mechanical actuator may
constitute a string or a rod or communicate with the outside of the
beverage container for activating the chemical reaction.
Alternatively, the mechanical actuator may be mounted in connection
with the container closure so that when the container is opened, a
chemical reaction is activated. The activation may be performed by
bringing the two reactants in contact with each other, i.e. by
providing the reactants in different chambers provided by a
breakable, dissolvable or rupturable membrane, which is caused to
break, dissolve or rupture by the actuator. The membrane may for
instance be caused to rupture by the use of a piercing element. The
reaction products should, as well as the reactants be substantially
non-toxic.
[0031] One kind of activator is disclosed in the previously
mentioned DE 21 50 305 A1, which uses a spike to penetrate a
membrane separating the two chemicals. US 2008/0016882 shows
further examples of activators having the two chemicals separated
by a peelable membrane or a small conduit.
[0032] The volume of the products should not substantially exceed
the volume of the reactants, since otherwise, the cooling device
may be caused to explode during the chemical reaction. A safety
margin of 3 to 5%, or alternatively a venting aperture, may be
provided. A volume reduction should be avoided as well. The
reactants are preferably provided as granulates, since granulates
may be easily handled and mixed. The granulates may be provided
with a coating for preventing reaction. The coating may be
dissolved during activation by for instance a liquid entering the
reaction chamber and dissolving the coating. The liquid may be
referred to as an activator and may constitute e.g. water,
propylene glycol or an alcohol. It is further contemplated that a
reaction controlling agent, such as a selective adsorption
controlling agent or a retardation temperature setting agent may be
used for reducing the reaction speed, alternatively, a catalyst may
be used for increasing the reaction speed. It is further
contemplated that a container may comprise guiding elements for
guiding the flow of beverage towards the cooling device for
increasing the cooling efficiency. The present cooling device may
also be used in a so-called party keg, which is a beverage keg
having internal pressurization and dispensing capabilities. In this
way, the comparatively large party kegs must not be pre-cooled
before being used. The cooling device may alternatively be provided
as a widget which is freely movable within the container. This may
be suitable for glass bottles where it may be difficult to provide
a fixated cooling device.
[0033] According to a further embodiment of the first aspect of the
present invention, the two separate reactants comprise one or more
salt hydrates. Salt hydrates are known for producing an entropy
increasing reaction by releasing water molecules. In the present
context, a proof-of-concept has been made by performing a
laboratory experiment. In the above-mentioned laboratory
experiment, a dramatic energy change has been established by
causing two salts, each having a large number of crystal water
molecules added to the structure, to react and liberate the crystal
water as free water. In the present laboratory experiment, the
following chemical reaction has been tried out: Na.sub.2SO.sub.4,
10H.sub.2O+CaCl.sub.2, 6H.sub.2O.fwdarw.2NaCl+CaSO.sub.4,
2H.sub.2O+14H.sub.2O. The left side of the reaction scheme includes
a total of two molecules, whereas the right side of the reaction
schemes includes twenty molecules. Therefore, the entropy
element--T.DELTA.S becomes fairly large, as .DELTA.S is congruent
to k.times.In20/2.
[0034] The above chemical reaction produces a simple salt in an
aqueous solution of gypsum. It is therefore evident that all
constituents in this reaction are non-toxic and non-polluting. In
the present experiment, 64 grams of Na.sub.2SO.sub.4 and 34 grams
of CaCl.sub.2, the reaction has produced a temperature reduction of
20.degree. C., which has been maintained stable for more than two
hours. A prototype beer can has been manufactured having a total
volume of 450 ml including 330 ml of beer and a bottle of 100 ml
including the two reactants. After the opening of the can, the
reactants were allowed to react resulting in a dramatic cooling of
the beer inside the beverage can.
[0035] According to the present invention, a cooling device is
provided based on a chemical reaction between two or more
reactants. The chemical reaction is a spontaneous non-reversible
endothermic reaction driven by an increase in the overall entropy.
The reaction absorbs heat from the surroundings resulting in an
increase in thermodynamic potential of the system. .DELTA.H is the
change in enthalpy and has a positive sign for endothermic
reactions. The spontaneity of a chemical reaction can be
ascertained from the change in Gibbs free energy .DELTA.G.
[0036] At constant temperature .DELTA.G=.DELTA.H-T*.DELTA.S. A
negative .DELTA.G for a reaction indicates that the reaction is
spontaneous. In order to fulfill the requirements of a spontaneous
endothermic reaction the overall increase in entropy .DELTA.S for
the reaction has to overcome the increase in enthalpy .DELTA.H.
[0037] According to a further embodiment of the first aspect of the
present invention at least two separate, substantially non-toxic
reactants comprise a first reactant, a second reactant and a third
reactant, the second and third reactants being present as separate
granulates and the first reactant being applied as a coating
covering the granulates of the second and third reactants. By
coating the second and the third reactants by the first reactant it
can be ensured that the three reactants are held separated although
the three reactants are mixed, since the second and the third
reactants are prevented from reacting by the first reactant. In
this way accidental activation of the chemical reaction may be
avoided, e.g. by shock or in case a small amount of water enters
the reaction chamber, the reaction will not be initiated since the
coating will protect the second and third reactants. It is
preferred to use the first reactant as the coating, since a
non-reacting coating would constitute a waste of volume and thereby
necessitate a larger cooling device.
[0038] According to a further embodiment of the first aspect of the
present invention the second and third reactants generate a first
non-reversible entropy increasing reaction producing an
intermediate reaction product, and the third reactant reacting with
the intermediate reaction product generating a second
non-reversible entropy increasing reaction. In case the
intermediate reaction products are toxic or otherwise unpleasant,
such as bad smelling, the negative effect of the intermediate
products may be avoided by allowing them to react with the third
reactant and create an end product which is safe and which does not
have any of the drawbacks of the intermediate reaction
products.
[0039] According to a further embodiment of the first aspect of the
present invention the intermediate product is a gas and the second
non-reversible entropy increasing reaction generates a complex or a
precipitate. For instance, the intermediate product may be a toxic
or smelly gas, which may be unsuitable for use in the present
context. The gas may then be pacified by reacting with the third
reactant to form a complex or a precipitate which is safe.
[0040] According to a further embodiment of the first aspect of the
present invention the first reactant is dissolvable by water or an
organic solvent preferably a liquid such as water, the first,
second and third reactants being prevented from reacting through
the coating. Upon initiation, a sufficient amount of water to at
least partially dissolve the coating is introduced into the cooling
device, thereby allowing all three reactants to dissolve and react
with each other.
[0041] According to a further embodiment of the first aspect of the
present invention, the second temperature is between 15.degree. C.
and 30.degree. C., preferably between 18.degree. C. and 25.degree.
C., such as 22.degree. C., or alternatively between 18.degree. C.
and 22.degree. C., or alternatively between 22.degree. C. and
25.degree. C. The temperature of the inner cabinet chamber is
preferably around room temperature in order to minimize the energy
consumption of the system. The system may then provide small
amounts of cooling or heating to account for deviations in the
surrounding temperature outside the cabinet.
[0042] According to a further embodiment of the first aspect of the
present invention the cooling device is accommodated within the
container. To ensure that a high percentage of the cooling energy
is used for cooling the beverage and not lost to the surroundings,
the cooling device may be located within the container, preferably
in direct contact with the beverage and more preferably completely
surrounded by beverage.
[0043] According to a further embodiment of the first aspect of the
present invention, the temperature controlling means is capable of
supplying both cooling and heating to the inner cabinet chamber.
The temperature controlling means may be a singe unit being
configurable to provide both heating and cooling, e.g. a Peltier
element. Alternatively, two separate units are used, such as a
cooling unit comprising a compressor and an cooling fluid, and, a
heating unit comprising an electrical heater.
[0044] According to a further embodiment of the first aspect of the
present invention, the wattage consumption per stored beverage
container is reduced by at least 80% compared to the wattage
consumption per stored beverage container when using a conventional
refrigerator, e.g. from about 1 W per beverage container to about
0.2 W per beverage container, or less. A typical refrigerator for
professional and private use may accommodate about 200 cans of
beverage and consume about 200 W. Therefore, in typical
refrigerators the cooling power required to hold a beverage
container in a chilled state in a filled refrigerator is around 1 W
per container due to leakage and insulation restraints. The present
system may reduce the power required to about 0.2 W per beverage
container, or less, since the system may operate with 40 W or
less.
Reactants
[0045] The cooling device according to the present invention
includes at least two separate, substantially non-toxic reactants
causing with one another a non-reversible entropy increasing
reaction producing substantially non-toxic products in a
stoichiometric number at least a factor 3, preferably a factor 4,
more preferably a factor 5 larger than the stoichiometric number of
the reactants.
[0046] The reactants are preferably solids but solid-liquid,
liquid-liquid and solid-solid-liquid reactants are contemplated
also to be relevant in the present context i.e. in the context of
implementing a cooling device for use in a beverage container.
Solid reactants may be present as powder, granules, shavings,
etc.
[0047] The reactants and products are substantially non-toxic.
[0048] In the context of the present invention non-toxic is not to
be interpreted literally but should be interpreted as applicable to
any reactant or product which is not fatal when ingested in the
amounts and forms used according to the present invention. Suitable
reactants form products which are a) easily soluble in the
deliberated crystal water or b) insoluble in the deliberated
crystal water. A list of easily soluble vs less soluble salt
products is given below:
TABLE-US-00001 Easily soluble Less soluble NaCl BaSO.sub.4 KCl
BaCO.sub.3 NH.sub.4Cl Bi(OH).sub.3 NH.sub.4Br CaCO.sub.3
NH.sub.4C2H.sub.3O.sub.2 Ca.sub.3(PO.sub.4).sub.2 NH.sub.4NO.sub.3
CaSO.sub.4.cndot.2H.sub.2O (NH.sub.4).sub.2SO.sub.4 CoCO.sub.3
NH.sub.4HSO.sub.4 Co(OH).sub.2 CaCl.sub.2 CuBr CrCl.sub.2
Cu(OH).sub.2 CuBr.sub.2 Fe(OH).sub.2 LiBr.cndot.2H.sub.2O
Fe(OH).sub.3 LiCl.cndot.H.sub.2O FePO.sub.4.cndot.2H.sub.2O
NH.sub.2OH Fe.sub.3(PO.sub.4).sub.2 KBr Li.sub.2CO.sub.3
KCO.sub.3.cndot.11/2H.sub.2O MgCO.sub.3 KOH.cndot.2H.sub.2O
MnCO.sub.3 KNO.sub.3 Mn(OH).sub.2 KH.sub.2PO.sub.3 Ni(OH).sub.2
KHSO.sub.4 SrCO.sub.3 NaBr.sub.2 2H.sub.2O SrSO.sub.4 NaClO3
Sn(OH).sub.2 NaOH.cndot.H.sub.2O ZnCO.sub.3 NaNO.sub.3 Zn(OH).sub.2
NaSCN SnSO.sub.4 TiCl.sub.3 TiCl.sub.4 ZnBr.sub.2.cndot.2H.sub.2O
ZnCl.sub.2 NH.sub.4SCN
[0049] Further suitable reactants are the following:
NaAl(SO.sub.4).sub.2.12H.sub.20
NH.sub.4Al(SO.sub.4).sub.2.12H.sub.20
LiOH H.sub.20
Na.sub.2SiO.sub.3
[0050] Na.sub.2SiO.sub.3.xH.sub.20, x=5-9 Na.sub.2O.xSiO.sub.2,
x=3-5
Na.sub.4SiO.sub.4
Na.sub.6Si.sub.2O7
Li.sub.2SiO.sub.3
Li.sub.4SiO.sub.4
[0051] Additional reactants and sets of reactants are listed in the
below Table 1 and Table 2.
[0052] The salt product is preferably an easily soluble salt
although less soluble products are preferable for salt products
which are toxic to render them substantially non-toxic.
[0053] The volumetric change during the non-reversible
entropy-increasing reaction is no more than .+-.5%, preferably no
more than .+-.4%, further preferably no more than .+-.3%, or
alternatively the cooling device being vented to the atmosphere for
allowing any excess gas produced in the non-reversible
entropy-increasing reaction to be vented to the atmosphere.
[0054] Suitable solid reactants according to the present invention
are salt hydrates and acid hydrates. The salt hydrates according to
the invention are organic salt hydrates or inorganic salt hydrates,
preferably inorganic salt hydrates. Some of the below salts are
contemplated to be present only in trace amounts for controlling
selective adsorption. Suitable organic salt hydrates may include
Magnesium picrate octahydrate
Mg(C.sub.6H.sub.2(NO.sub.2).sub.3O).sub.2.8H.sub.2O, Strontium
picrate hexahydrate
Sr(C.sub.6H.sub.2(NO.sub.2).sub.3O).sub.2.6H.sub.2O, Sodium
potassium tartrate tetrahydrate KNaC.sub.4H.sub.4O.sub.6.4H.sub.2O,
Sodium succinate hexahydrate
Na.sub.2(CH.sub.2).sub.2(COO).sub.2.6H.sub.2O, Copper acetate
monohydrate Cu(CH.sub.3COO).sub.2.H.sub.2O etc. Suitable inorganic
salt hydrates according to the invention are salt hydrates of
alkali metals, such as lithium, sodium and potassium, and salt
hydrates of alkaline earth metals, such as beryllium, calcium,
strontium and barium, and salt hydrates of transition metals, such
as chromium, manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, and zinc, and
aluminium salt hydrates and lanthanum salt hydrates. Suitable
alkali metal salt hydrates are for example LiNO.sub.3.3H.sub.2O,
Na.sub.2SO.sub.4.10H.sub.2O (Glauber's salt),
Na.sub.2SO.sub.4.7H.sub.2O, Na.sub.2CO.sub.3.10H.sub.2O,
Na.sub.2CO.sub.3.7H.sub.2O, Na.sub.3PO.sub.4.12H.sub.2O,
Na.sub.2HPO.sub.4.12H.sub.2O, Na.sub.4P.sub.2O.sub.7.10H.sub.2O,
Na.sub.2H.sub.2P.sub.2O.sub.7.6H.sub.2O, NaBO.sub.3.4H.sub.2O,
Na.sub.2B.sub.4O.sub.7.10H.sub.2O, NaClO.sub.4.5H.sub.2O,
Na.sub.2SO.sub.3.7H.sub.2O, Na.sub.2S.sub.2O.sub.3.5H.sub.2O,
NaBr.2H.sub.2O, Na.sub.2S.sub.2O.sub.6.6H.sub.2O,
K.sub.3PO.sub.4.3H.sub.2O etc, preferably suitable alkaline earth
metal salt hydrates are for example, MgCl.sub.2.6H.sub.2O,
MgBr.sub.2.6H.sub.2O, MgSO.sub.4.7H.sub.2O,
Mg(NO.sub.3).sub.2.6H.sub.2O, CaCl.sub.2.6H.sub.2O,
CaBr.sub.2.6H.sub.2O, Ca(NO.sub.3).sub.2.4H.sub.2O,
Sr(NO.sub.3).sub.2.4H.sub.2O, Sr(OH).sub.2.8H.sub.2O,
SrBr.sub.2.6H.sub.2O, SrCl.sub.2.6H.sub.2O, SrI.sub.2.6H.sub.2O,
BaBr.sub.2.2H.sub.2O, BaCl.sub.2.2H.sub.2O, Ba(OH).sub.2.
8H.sub.2O, Ba(BrO.sub.3).sub.2.H.sub.2O,
Ba(ClO.sub.3).sub.2.H.sub.2O etc. Suitable transition metal salt
hydrates are for example, CrK(SO.sub.4).sub.2.12H.sub.2O,
MnSO.sub.4.7H.sub.2O, MnSO.sub.4.5H.sub.2O, MnSO.sub.4.H.sub.2O,
FeBr.sub.2.6H.sub.2O, FeBr.sub.3.6H.sub.2O, FeCl.sub.2.4H.sub.2O,
FeCl.sub.3.6H.sub.2O, Fe(NO.sub.3).sub.3.9H.sub.2O,
FeSO.sub.4.7H.sub.2O, Fe(NH.sub.4).sub.2(SO.sub.4).sub.2.6H.sub.2O,
FeNH.sub.4(SO.sub.4).sub.2.12H.sub.2O, CoBr.sub.2.6H.sub.2O,
CoCl.sub.2.6H.sub.2O, NiSO.sub.4.6H.sub.2O, NiSO.sub.4.7H.sub.2O,
Cu(NO.sub.3).sub.2.6H.sub.2O, Cu(NO.sub.3).sub.2.3H.sub.2O,
CuSO.sub.4.5H.sub.2O, Zn(NO.sub.3).sub.2.6H.sub.2O,
ZnSO.sub.4.6H.sub.2O, ZnSO.sub.4.7H.sub.2O etc. Suitable aluminium
salt hydrates are for example Al.sub.2(SO.sub.4).sub.3.18H.sub.2O,
AlNH.sub.4(SO.sub.4).sub.2.12H.sub.2O, AlBr.sub.3.6H.sub.2O,
AlBr.sub.3.15H.sub.2O, AlK(SO.sub.4).sub.2.12H.sub.2O,
Al(NO.sub.3).sub.3.9H.sub.2O, AlCl.sub.3.6H.sub.2O etc. A suitable
lanthanum salt hydrate is LaCl.sub.3.7H.sub.2O.
[0055] Suitable acid hydrates according to the invention are
organic acid hydrates such as citric acid monohydrate etc.
[0056] A salt or acid hydrate is preferably reacted with another
salt or acid hydrate, it can however also be reacted with any
non-hydrated chemical compound as long as crystal water is
deliberated in sufficient amounts to drive the endothermic reaction
with respect to the entropy contribution.
[0057] Suitable non-hydrated chemical compounds according to the
invention may include acids, alcohols, organic compounds and
non-hydrated salts. The acids may be citric acid, fumaric acid,
maleic acid, malonic acid, formic acid, acetic acid, glacial acetic
acid etc. The alcohols may be mannitol, resorcinol etc. The organic
compounds may be urea etc. The non-hydrated salts according to the
present invention may be such as anhydrous alkali metal salts,
anhydrous alkaline earth metal salts anhydrous transition metal
salts anhydrous aluminium salts and anhydrous tin salts and
anhydrous lead salt and anhydrous ammonium salts and anhydrous
organic salts. Suitable anhydrous alkali metal salt hydrates are
for example NaClO.sub.3, NaCrO.sub.4, NaNO.sub.3,
K.sub.2S.sub.2O.sub.5, K.sub.2SO.sub.4, K.sub.2S.sub.2O.sub.6,
K.sub.2S.sub.2O.sub.3, KBrO.sub.3, KCl, KClO.sub.3, KIO.sub.3,
K.sub.2Cr.sub.2O.sub.7, KNO.sub.3, KClO.sub.4, KMnO.sub.4, CsCl
etc. Suitable anhydrous alkaline earth metal salts are for example
CaCl.sub.2, Ca(NO.sub.3).sub.2, Ba(BrO.sub.3).sub.2, SrCO.sub.3,
(NH.sub.4).sub.2Ce(NO.sub.3).sub.6 etc. Suitable anhydrous
transition metal salts are for example NiSO4, Cu(NO3)2. Suitable
anhydrous aluminium salts are Al.sub.2(SO.sub.4).sub.3 etc.
Suitable anhydrous tin salts are SnI.sub.2(s), SnI.sub.4(g) etc.
Suitable anhydrous lead salts are PbBr.sub.2, Pb(NO.sub.3).sub.2
etc. Suitable ammonium salts are NH.sub.4SCN, NH.sub.4NO.sub.3,
NH.sub.4Cl, (NH.sub.4).sub.2Cr2O7 etc. Suitable anhydrous organic
salts are for example urea acetate, urea formate, urea nitrate and
urea oxalate etc.
[0058] It is further contemplated that the anhydrous form of any
hydrated salt or hydrated acid as listed above may be used as a
non-hydrated chemical compound in a reaction according to the
present invention.
[0059] A liquid reactant according to the present invention may be
a liquid salt such as PBr.sub.3, SCl.sub.2, SnCl.sub.4, TiCl.sub.4,
VCl.sub.4 or a liquid organic compound such as CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2
etc.
[0060] The number of reactants participating in the reaction is at
least two. Some embodiments may use three or more reactants.
[0061] One possible reaction according to the present invention
is
Na.sub.2SO.sub.4.10H.sub.2O(s)+CaCl.sub.2.6H.sub.2O(s).fwdarw.2Na.sup.+(-
aq)+2Cl.sup.-(aq)+CaSO.sub.4.2H.sub.2O(s)+14H.sub.2O(l)
.DELTA.H=2*(-240 kJ/mol)+2*(-167 kJ/mol)+(-2023 kJ/mol)+14*(-286
kJ/mol)-((-4327 kJ/mol)+(-2608 kJ/mol))=94 kJ/mol
.DELTA.S=2*(58 J/K*mol)+2*(57 J/K*mol)+(194 J/K*mol)+14*(70
J/K*mol)-((592 J/K*mol)+(365 J/K*mol))=2.361 kJ/K*mol
[0062] At room temperature (T=298 K)
.DELTA.G=.DELTA.H-T*.DELTA.S=94 kJ/mol-298 K*0.447 kJ/K*mol=-39
kJ/mol
[0063] The negative sign indicates that the reaction is
spontaneous.
[0064] The stoichiometric number of products to reactants is
19/2=9.5:1
[0065] Another possible reaction according to the present invention
is
Na.sub.2SO.sub.4.10H.sub.2O(s)+Ba(OH).sub.2.8H.sub.2O(s).fwdarw.BaSO.sub-
.4(s)+2Na.sup.+(aq)+20H.sup.-(aq)+18H.sub.2O(l)
.DELTA.H=-1473 kJ/mol+2*(-240 kJ/mol)+2*(-230 kJ/mol)+18*(-286
kJ/mol)-(-4327 kJ/mol+(-3342 kJ/mol))=108 kJ/mol
[0066] .DELTA.G at room temperature (T=298 K) for this reaction can
be directly calculated:
.DELTA.G=-1362 kJ/mol+2*(-262 kJ/mol)+2*(-157 kJ/mol)+18*(-237
kJ/mol)-(-3647 kJ/mol+(-2793 kJ/mol))=-26 kJ/mol
[0067] Thus this reaction is spontaneous. The stoichiometric number
of products to reactants is 23/2=11.5:1
[0068] A further possible reaction according to the present
invention is
Ba(OH).sub.2.8H.sub.2O(s)+2NH.sub.4SCN(s).fwdarw.Ba(SCN).sub.2+2NH.sub.3-
(g)+10H.sub.2O(l)
.DELTA.H=102 kJ/mol
.DELTA.S=0.495 kJ/K*mol
.DELTA.G=.DELTA.H-T*.DELTA.S=102 kJ/mol-298 K*0.495 kJ/K*mol=-45.5
kJ/mol
[0069] The reaction is spontaneous. The stoichiometric number of
products to reactants is 13/3=4.33:1
[0070] Examples of further reactions are
Ba(OH).sub.2.8H.sub.2O(s)+2NH.sub.4NO.sub.3(s).fwdarw.Ba(NO.sub.3).sub.2-
+2NH.sub.3(g)+10H.sub.2O(l) a)
Ba(OH).sub.2.8H.sub.2O(s)+2NH.sub.4Cl(s).fwdarw.BaCl.sub.2+2NH.sub.3(g)+-
10H.sub.2O(l) b)
Additives and Activators
[0071] The reaction is preferably activated by the addition of a
polar solvent, such as water, glycerin, ethanol, propylene glycol,
etc but the reaction may also be activated simply by contacting the
reactants.
[0072] In some reactions the reactants may be non-reactive when
contacted or being mixed. For these reactions a suitable catalyst
may be used to enable the reaction.
[0073] In some embodiments the solid reactants are coated or
microencapsulated. Suitable external coatings are heat resistant
but dissolvable upon contact with an activation fluid capable of
dissolving the coating. Suitable coatings include carbohydrates
such as starch and cellulose, polyethers such as polyethylene
glycol (PEG) but also shellac or plastics. Suitable activation
fluids include water alcohols, organic solvents, acids. As an
alternative to a coating, the solid reactants may be embedded in a
soluble gel or foam.
[0074] By use of a coating the reactants can be premixed in order
to increase the reaction rate. Furthermore, coating of reactants
prevents premature activation of the cooling effect due to storage
conditions or heat treatment of the beverage. In some embodiments a
part of the reactant mass is coated with a thicker coating in order
to slow down the reaction and prolong the cooling provided by the
reaction. In other embodiments more than one coating may be applied
to the reactants or different coatings may be applied to different
reactants or parts of the reactant mass. Instead of a coating the
reactants can be suspended in a non-aqueous fluid such as an
organic solvent.
[0075] A retardation temperature setting agent having a suitable
melting temperature may be used with the current invention. A
suitable melting temperature may be such a temperature that the
retardation temperature setting agent is liquid at temperatures
above a freezing point or any desirable temperature yielding a
desired cooling of the beverage to be cooled and solidifies as the
temperature descends below this point thus retarding the reaction
in order to prevent freezing of the beverage in the beverage
container. The retardation temperature setting agent may be any
chemical compound with a suitable melting temperature above the
freezing temperature of water such as a temperature between
0.degree. C. to +10.degree. C. such as 2.degree. C. to 6.degree. C.
such that the solidified form of the retardation temperature
setting agent decreases the reaction rate of the reaction according
to the present invention. Examples of suitable retardation
temperature setting agents include polyethylene glycol, a fatty
acid, or a polymer.
[0076] The reactants can be in the form of granulates of varying
sizes to tailor the reaction rate to the specific application. The
granules may also be coated as described above.
[0077] For some reactions it is preferable to add a solvent such as
glycerol or a trace contaminant to prevent the formation of
crystals of a product from coating remaining reactants thus
inhibiting further reaction. An adsorbent can be used to
selectively adsorb a product in order to control the reaction rate
and/or ensure complete reaction. For some reactions the liquid
activator used to initiate the reaction may also serve as a
selective adsorption-controlling agent to control the reaction.
[0078] In reactions producing acidic or basic products a
pH-regulating buffer may be included. The buffer may also be used
to promote the dissolution of products in form of gas.
[0079] It is contemplated that one or more reactants may be formed
in situ from precursors. This can be advantageous for preventing
premature activation or preactivation of the cooling device after
it has been placed in the container.
[0080] It is further contemplated that the following additives may
be relevant for some reactions in the context of controlling the
reaction: 3,7-diamino-5-phenothiazinium acetate, 18 crown 6 ether,
1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone.
Presently Preferred Reaction
[0081] The presently preferred reaction is a reaction between
strontium hydroxide octahydrate and ammonium nitrate. To make the
end product safe, magnesium nitrate hexahydrate is added as a third
reactant. Most preferably, the magnesium nitrate hexahydrate is
used as a coating for separating the strontium hydroxide
octahydrate and ammonium nitrate. The above reactants react in a
primary reaction and a NH.sub.3 pacification reaction. The primary
reaction having a high cooling efficiency is as follows:
3Sr(OH).sub.2.8H.sub.2O(s)+6NH.sub.4NO.sub.3(s).fwdarw.3Sr.sup.2++6NO.su-
b.3.sup.-+6NH.sub.3+30H.sub.2O
[0082] Since NH.sub.3 may be considered as toxic, or at least not
pleasantly smelling, it has to be pacified by a further reaction.
The NH.sub.3 pacification reaction has a cooling efficiency which
is lower than the cooling efficiency of the primary reaction:
3Sr.sup.2++6NO.sub.3.sup.-+6NH.sub.3+30H.sub.2O+Mg(NO.sub.3).sub.2.6H.su-
b.2O(s).fwdarw.3Sr.sup.2++8NO.sub.3.sup.-+Mg(NH.sub.3).sub.6.sup.2++36H.su-
b.2O
[0083] The end product is a white gel that smells slightly of
ammonia and which is completely safe.
[0084] 88 ml of the above reactants are required to cool down 330
ml of beverage by 20 degrees centigrade. Thus, a common 440 ml
beverage can may be used for accommodating 330 ml of beverage and
88 ml of reactants.
Cooling of Beverage
[0085] Dependent on the reaction used, the heat capacity of the
reaction mixture and the beverage, the initial temperature of the
beverage and the amounts of beverage and reactants, respectively, a
wide range of cooling effects may be obtained.
[0086] A cooling device according to the present invention may
contain any amount of reactant as long as the volume of the cooling
device does not exceed 30% of the container volume.
[0087] The cooling effect of the cooling device in the beverage
container should be sufficient to cool a volume of beverage at
least 10.degree. C. within a period of time of no more than 5 min.,
preferably no more than 2 min.
[0088] For a beverage consisting mainly of water the specific heat
capacity can be approximated with the specific heat capacity for
liquid water: 4.18 kJ/kgK. The cooling effect q needed for cooling
the beverage is given by the equation: q=m.DELTA.TCp. Thus in order
to cool 1 kg of beverage 20.degree. C. the cooling device must
absorb 83.6 kJ of heat from the beverage to be cooled. Thus in the
present invention a heat reduction of the beverage should be at
least 50 Joules/ml beverage, preferably at least 70 Joules/ml
beverage such as 70-85 Joules/ml beverage preferably approximately
80-85 Joules/ml beverage within a time period of no more than 5
min, preferably no more than 3 min, more preferably no more than 2
min.
[0089] According to further embodiments, the container body may
comprise a beverage keg of polymeric or metallic material having a
volume of 3-50 liters, the keg being either collapsible or rigid,
and the closure being a keg coupling. Alternatively, the container
body may comprise a bottle of glass or polymeric material, the
bottle having a volume of 0.2-3 liters, and the closure being a
screw cap, crown cap or stopper. Yet alternatively, the container
body may comprise a beverage can and a beverage lid of metallic
material, preferably aluminum or an aluminum alloy, the can having
a volume of 0.2-1 liters, and the closure being constituted by an
embossing area of the beverage lid. Yet alternatively, the
container may comprise a bag, preferably as a bag-in-box,
bag-in-bag or bag-in-keg.
[0090] According to further embodiments, the container comprises
guiding elements for guiding the flow of beverage from the
container body. The guiding elements may serve to guide the flow of
the beverage via the cooling device towards the closure. The
cooling device may be located within the container, or
alternatively the cooling device is located outside the container.
The container body may constitute a double walled container
constituting an inner wall and an outer wall, and the cooling
device may be located between the inner and outer wall.
[0091] According to further embodiments, the container may comprise
a pressure generating device either accommodated within the
container or connected to the container via a pressurization hose.
The pressure generating device preferably comprises a carbon
dioxide generating device for pressurization of the beverage in the
beverage container.
[0092] According to further embodiments, the container may comprise
a tapping line and a tapping valve for selectively dispensing
beverage from the beverage container. The beverage container may be
filled with carbonated beverage such as beer, cider, soft drink,
mineral water, sparkling wine, or alternatively non-carbonated
beverage such as fruit juice, milk products such as milk and
yoghurt, tap water, wine, liquor, ice tea, or yet alternatively a
beverage constituting a mixed drink.
[0093] According to further embodiments, the cooling device forms
an integral part of the beverage container or a part of the top of
the beverage container, alternatively a part of the wall or bottom
of the beverage container. The cooling device is fastened onto the
base of the beverage container, alternatively the wall of the
container, yet alternatively the top of the container, or
alternatively the cooling device constitutes a widget, which is
freely movable within the container.
[0094] According to a further embodiment, the cooling device may be
configured as a metal can of the size of a beverage can, or
configured as a cooling box for receiving a number of beverage
containing containers, or configured as a cooling stick to be
positioned in a beverage bottle or the like, or configured as a
sleeve to be positioned encircling a part of a container, e.g. the
neck of a bottle or the body part of a metal can or bottle or
configured as a part of the closure or cap of a bottle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0095] The invention and its many advantages will be described in
more detail below with reference to the accompanying schematic
drawings, which for the purpose of illustration show some
non-limiting embodiments and in which:
[0096] FIGS. 1a and 1b illustrate a self-cooling beverage container
having a cooling device having a gas permeable membrane in a
pre-activated state and an activated state, respectively.
[0097] FIG. 1c illustrates a close-up view of the self-cooling
beverage container in the activated state as shown in FIG. 1b.
[0098] FIGS. 2a and 2b illustrate a self-cooling container having a
cooling device with an auxiliary reactant chamber in the
pre-activated and activated states, respectively.
[0099] FIG. 3a illustrates a self-cooling container having a
cooling device with a soluble plug.
[0100] FIGS. 3b and 3c illustrate the self-cooling container having
a cooling device with a soluble plug of FIG. 3a in the
pre-activated and activated states, respectively.
[0101] FIGS. 4a and 4b illustrate a self-cooling container having a
cooling device with a piercable membrane in the pre-activated and
activated states, respectively.
[0102] FIGS. 5a and 5b illustrate a self-cooling beverage container
having a cooling device with a cap in the pre-activated and
activated states, respectively.
[0103] FIGS. 6a and 6b illustrate a self-cooling beverage container
having a cooling device with a rupturable diaphragm in the
pre-activated and activated states, respectively.
[0104] FIGS. 7a and 7b illustrate a self-cooling beverage container
having a cooling device with a telescoping valve in the
pre-activated and activated states, respectively.
[0105] FIGS. 8a and 8b illustrate a self-cooling beverage container
having a cooling device with a water-soluble diaphragm in the
pre-activated and activated states, respectively.
[0106] FIGS. 9a and 9b illustrate a self-cooling beverage container
having a cooling device with a flexible cylinder in the
pre-activated and activated states, respectively.
[0107] FIG. 9c illustrates the self-cooling beverage container of
FIG. 9a further comprising a gripping member.
[0108] FIGS. 9d and 9e show close-up views of the gripping member
of FIG. 9c in the pre-activated and activated states;
respectively.
[0109] FIGS. 10a and 10b illustrate a self-cooling beverage
container having a cooling device with a pair of caps in the
pre-activated and activated states, respectively.
[0110] FIGS. 11a and 11b illustrate a self-cooling beverage
container having a cooling device with a cap and a rupturable
diaphragm in the pre-activated and activated states,
respectively.
[0111] FIGS. 12a and 12b illustrate a self-cooling beverage
container having a cooling device with a piercable membrane and a
rupturable membrane in the pre-activated and activated states,
respectively.
[0112] FIGS. 13a and 13b illustrate a self-cooling beverage
container having a cooling device constituting a widget in the
pre-activated and activated states, respectively.
[0113] FIGS. 14a and 14b illustrate a self-cooling beverage
container having a cooling device constituting a widget and an
action control fluid in the pre-activated and activated states,
respectively.
[0114] FIGS. 15a and 15b illustrate a self-cooling beverage
container having a cooling device constituting a widget having an
additional reactant chamber in the pre-activated and activated
states, respectively.
[0115] FIG. 16a shows a cooling box having a rectangular shape and
including a cooling device having a can shape in an unassembled
state.
[0116] FIG. 16b shows a top view of the cooling box of FIG. 16a in
an assembled state;
[0117] FIG. 17a shows a cooling box having a round shape including
a centrally located cooling device in the unassembled state.
[0118] FIGS. 17b and 17c show a perspective view and a top view,
respectively, of the cooling box of FIG. 17a.
[0119] FIGS. 18a-f show the filling process of a self-cooling
beverage container having a cooling device mounted in the
container.
[0120] FIGS. 19a-f show the filling process of a self-cooling
beverage container having a cooling device constituting a
widget.
[0121] FIGS. 20a-f show a filling process of a self-cooling
beverage container having a lid mounted cooling device.
[0122] FIGS. 21a and 21b show a self-cooling party keg system in
the pre-activated and activated states, respectively.
[0123] FIGS. 22a and 22b show a beverage dispensing system having a
keg with a cooling device for achieving instant cooling in the
pre-activated and activated states, respectively.
[0124] FIGS. 23a and 23b show a beverage dispensing system having a
beverage keg having a cooling device with a piercable membrane in
the pre-activated and activated states, respectively.
[0125] FIG. 24 shows a beverage bottle having a button activatable
cooling device.
[0126] FIG. 25 shows a beverage bottle having a pressure activated
cooling device.
[0127] FIGS. 26a and 26b show a beverage bottle having a cap
mounted cooling device, which is activated by the user in the
pre-activated and activated states, respectively.
[0128] FIGS. 27a and 27b show a cooling device constituting a drink
stick with an internal cooling device in the pre-activated and
activated states, respectively.
[0129] FIG. 27c shows the drink stick of the cooling device of FIG.
27b after activation.
[0130] FIG. 27d shows the drink stick of FIG. 27c inserted into a
bottle.
[0131] FIGS. 28a and 28b show a bottle sleeve to be mounted on the
neck of a beverage bottle.
[0132] FIG. 28c is a perspective view of the bottle sleeve of FIGS.
28a and 28b mounted on the neck of the beverage bottle.
[0133] FIGS. 29a and 29b show a bottle sleeve to be mounted around
the body of the beverage bottle in the pre-activated and activated
states, respectively.
[0134] FIG. 29c is a perspective view of the bottle sleeve of FIGS.
29a and 29b.
[0135] FIG. 29d shows the bottle sleeve of FIG. 29c being attached
to the beverage bottle;
[0136] FIG. 30 shows a reaction crystal having a selective
adsorbant inhibiting growth at the corners.
[0137] FIG. 31 is a dispensing and refrigerator system for
accommodating a plurality of beverage cans.
[0138] FIG. 32 is a refrigerator system for accommodating a
plurality of beverage cans.
[0139] The figures illustrate numerous exemplary embodiments of a
cooling device according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0140] FIG. 1a shows a partial intersected view of a self-cooling
container 10.sup.I according to the present invention. The
self-cooling container 10.sup.I comprises a beverage can 12 made of
thin metal sheet of e.g. aluminium or an aluminium alloy. The
beverage can 12 has a cylindrical body, which is closed off by a
beverage can base 14 and a lid 16. The lid 16 comprises a tab 18
(FIG. 1b) and an embossed area constituting a closure. (The tab and
the embossed area are not visible in the present view.) The
beverage can 12 includes a cooling device 20.sup.I, which is
located juxtaposed to the beverage can base 14 inside the beverage
can 12. The cooling device 20.sup.I comprises a cylinder of thin
metal sheet similar to the beverage can 12, however significantly
smaller in size. Alternatively, the cooling device 20.sup.I may
constitute a laminate being made of plastic or similar polymeric
material coated with thin aluminium foil. The size of the cooling
device 20.sup.I corresponds to about 20% to 30% of the total volume
of the beverage can 12, preferably about 25% of the volume of the
beverage can 12, for achieving a sufficient cooling efficiency
while not substantially reducing the amount of beverage which may
be accommodated inside the beverage can 12. A beverage, preferably
a carbonated beverage such as beer, sparkling wine or various soft
drinks, is filled into the beverage can 12 and accommodates
typically 70% of the volume of the beverage can 12 allowing for
about 5% space between the lid 16 and the upper surface of the
beverage. The cooling device 20.sup.I extends between a bottom 22
and a top 24. The bottom 22 is preferably fixated to the beverage
can base 14 so that the cooling device 20.sup.I assumes a stable
position inside the beverage can 12. Alternatively, the cooling
device 20.sup.I constitutes an inherent part of the beverage can
12. For example, the beverage can 12 including the cooling device
20.sup.I may be stamped out of metal sheet in one piece. The top 24
of the cooling device 20.sup.I as well as the lid 16 of the
beverage can 12 constitutes separate parts, which are applied after
the respective cooling device 20.sup.I and the beverage can 12 have
been filled. The top 24 of the cooling device 20.sup.I seals off
the interior of the cooling device 20.sup.I such that no beverage
may enter. The top 24 comprises a gas permeable membrane 26, which
allows gases such as air or carbon dioxide, but prevents liquid,
such as beverage, to enter the interior of the cooling device
20.sup.I. The interior of the cooling device 20.sup.I is divided
into a pressure space 32 located adjacent to the gas permeable
membrane 26, a main reactant chamber 28 located near the bottom 22
and a water chamber 44 located between the pressure space 32 and
the main reactant chamber 28. The main reactant chamber 28
constitutes a greater part of the cooling device 20.sup.I and is
filled with granulated reactants 29. The granulated reactants 29
comprises at least two separate reactants which when reacting with
each other will draw energy from the surrounding beverage and
thereby cause a cooling of the beverage. The reaction will
typically be initiated when the two reactants contact each other.
The exact compositions of the reactants will be described in detail
later in the chemistry part of the present description. At least
one of the compounds constitutes a granulate having a water-soluble
coating, which prevents the reactants from contacting each other
and thus prevents any reaction to start. The water soluble coating
may be e.g. starch. In an alternative embodiment the granulate or
the granulates may be prevented from reacting by being embedded in
a soluble gel or foam. Further alternatively, the reactants may be
provided as shallow, highly compacted discs or plates separated
from one another through the above mentioned coating, gel or
foam.
[0141] The pressure space 32 is separated from the water chamber 44
by a flexible diaphragm 30. The flexible diaphragm 30 has a funnel
shape and extends from a rounded circumferential reinforcement bead
34 constituting the periphery of the flexible diaphragm 30 to a
circular wall 40 constituting the centre of the flexible diaphragm
30. The circular wall 40 separates the pressure space 32 from the
main reactant chamber 28. The rounded circumferential reinforcement
bead 34 is positioned juxtaposed to a washer 36, which seals the
rounded circumferential reinforcement bead to the top 24. The water
chamber 44 is separated from the main reactant chamber 28 by a
rigid cup-shaped wall 38 extending from the top 24 inwards and
downwards. The flexible diaphragm 30 comprises a circumferential
gripping flange 42 extending downwards at the circular wall 40. The
circumferential gripping flange 42 grips around the end of the
cup-shaped wall 38, thus sealing the water chamber 44 from the main
reactant chamber 28.
[0142] The cooling device 20.sup.I is prepared by filling the main
reactant chamber 28 with the granulate reactants 29 and filling the
water chamber 44 with water, then the top 24 is attached and sealed
to the cooling device 20.sup.I. Subsequently, the beverage can 12
is filled with beverage, pressurised and sealed by the lid 16. The
pressure in the beverage can 12 ensures that the cooling device
20.sup.I is not activated, since equal pressure is maintained
inside the beverage can 12 and inside the cooling device
20.sup.I.
[0143] FIG. 1b shows a partial intersected view of a self-cooling
container 10.sup.I when the beverage can 12 has been opened and the
chemical reaction in the cooling device 20.sup.I has been
activated. The beverage can 12 is opened by operating the tab 18
from its normal horizontal position juxtaposed the lid 16 to a
vertical position extending outwardly in relation to the lid 16. By
operating the tab 18 to the vertical position, the tab 18 will
protrude into the embossing in the lid 16 causing the embossing to
rupture and define a beverage outlet (not shown) in the beverage
can 12. When the beverage can 12 has been opened, the high
pressurized CO.sub.2 gas inside the beverage can 12 will escape to
the outside atmosphere. The atmospheric pressure in the beverage
can 12 will cause gas to slowly escape from the pressure space 32
through the gas permeable membrane 26 to the beverage can 12. At
the same time, the high pressure inside the main reactant chamber
28 will apply a pressure onto the flexible diaphragm 30, thereby
causing the flexible diaphragm 30 to move towards the top 24. The
rounded circumferential reinforcement bead 34 and the washer 36
will seal the pressure space 32 and the main reactant chamber 28
fluid tight. When the flexible diaphragm 30 has assumed the
activated position, i.e. moved towards the top 24, the
circumferential gripping flange 42 will detach from the rigid
cup-shaped wall 38 and allow the water contained in the water
chamber 44 to flow into the main reactant chamber 28. The water
entering the main reactant chamber will dissolve the water soluble
coating of the reactant granulates and thereby cause the chemical
reaction to start. The reaction is an endothermic reaction, which
will draw energy from the beverage, i.e. the beverage will become
colder while thermal energy flows from the beverage to the cooling
device 20.sup.I. More details on the chemical reaction will follow
later in the description. The thermal energy drawn by the cooling
device 20.sup.I will chill the beverage in the beverage can 12.
After a few seconds, the relative temperature of the beverage will
fall about ten degrees C..degree., typically twenty degrees
C..degree., and the beverage consumer may enjoy a chilled beverage
shortly after opening the beverage can 12. A beverage can 12 stored
without refrigeration in a store may typically have a temperature
of about 22 degrees C. After opening, the beverage quickly cools
down to about 6 degrees C., counting for thermal losses etc. The
time needed for the chilling typically is less than 5 minutes, more
typically 3 minutes. When the beverage consumer has finished
drinking the beverage, the beverage can 12 may be disposed and the
metal in the beverage can 12 may be recycled in an environmentally
friendly way.
[0144] FIG. 1c shows a partial intersected view of an alternative
embodiment of a self-cooling container 10.sup.I shortly after the
beverage can 12 has been opened and the chemical reaction in the
cooling device 20.sup.I has been activated, similar to FIG. 1b.
FIG. 1c additionally shows a first close-up view showing the upper
part of the reactant chamber 28 and a second close up view showing
the lower part of the reactant chamber 28. From the close up views
it can be seen that at the present time the water, designated by
dashed lines in FIG. 1c, has contacted the granulated reactants 29
of the upper part of reactant chamber 28, whereas the lower part of
the reactant chamber 28 remains dry.
[0145] The granulate reactants 29 have a core and a coating which
is completely covering the core. The granulate reactants 29 are
divided up in two types: one type granulate reactants 29 has a
coating of a first reactant designated 29A and a core of a second
reactant designated 29B, and another type granulate reactants 29
has a coating of the first reactant designated 29A and a core of a
third reactant designated 29C.
[0146] In the second close-up view showing the lower part of the
reactant chamber 28 the chemical reaction cannot initiate, since
the cores 29B and 29C cannot interact with each other. In the first
close-up view showing the upper part of the reactant chamber 28 the
granulate reactants 29 are subjected to water, and the coating 29c
begins to deteriorate causing all three reactants 29ABC to mix and
react with each other.
[0147] The reactant B and C may initially react and produce a
reaction product which is pacified by reacting with reactant A.
[0148] FIG. 2a shows a partial intersected view of a further
embodiment of a self-cooling container 10.sup.II comprising all of
the features of the self-cooling container 10.sup.I of FIGS. 1a and
1b. The self-cooling container 10.sup.II of the present embodiment,
however, further comprises an auxiliary cup-shaped wall 46 mounted
outside and below the main cup-shaped wall 38. An auxiliary
gripping flange 48 constituting an elongation of the main gripping
flange 42 together with an auxiliary cup-shaped wall 46 and a main
cup-shaped wall 38 define an auxiliary reactant chamber 50. The
auxiliary reactant chamber 50 is filled with an auxiliary reactant
granulate 29, which constitutes one of the reactants of the
reaction. The other reactant 29' is located in the main reactant
chamber 28, thereby eliminating the need of a coating of the
reactant granulates.
[0149] FIG. 2b shows the self-cooling container 10.sup.II of FIG.
2a when the beverage can 12 has been opened and the chemical
reaction has been activated. In the activated state, the
circumferential gripping flange 42 has detached from the cup-shaped
wall 38 as shown in FIG. 1a, thereby allowing the water in the
water chamber 44 to flow into the main reactant chamber 28. At the
same time, the auxiliary gripping flange 48, which is connected to
the flexible diaphragm 30 via the circumferential gripping flange
42 will detach from the auxiliary cup-shaped wall 46 and allow the
auxiliary reactant 29 to enter the main reactant chamber 28,
thereby activating the chemical reaction. The present embodiment
requires an additional chamber but has the benefit of not requiring
any coating of the reactant granulates, since the reactants are
stored in separate chambers.
[0150] FIG. 3a shows a cooling device 20.sup.III for use in a
self-cooling container 10.sup.III (FIGS. 3b and 3c) similar to the
self-cooling container 10.sup.II shown in FIGS. 2a and 2b. The
self-cooling container 10.sup.III has a pressure space 32, however,
instead of a gas permeable membrane, a water-soluble plug 26' is
accommodated in the top 24 of the cooling device 20.sup.III. The
water-soluble plug 26' may be of any water-soluble material, which
is non-toxic and may form a pressure proof plug of sufficient
rigidity, which dissolves within a few minutes when subjected to an
aqueous solution such as beverage. It is contemplated that
non-toxic implies that the material being allowed for usage in
consumables by e.g. a national health authority or the like. Such
materials may include sugar, starch or gelatine. The soluble plug
26' allows the cooling device 20.sup.III to be prepared and
pressurised an extended time period such as days or weeks before
being used in a beverage can. The soluble plug 26' prevents the
pressure inside the cooling device 20.sup.III i.e. inside the main
reactant chamber 28, the water chamber 44 and the pressure space 32
to escape to the outside through the top 24. The flexible membrane
30 is in the present embodiment made of rubber and comprises a
support diaphragm 31 as well made of rubber and which is located
juxtaposed to the cup-shaped wall 38 and extending between the
circular wall 40 and the rounded circumferential reinforcement bead
34. To equalize the pressure between the flexible membrane 30 and
the support diaphragm 31, a pressure inlet 52 is located on the
flexible membrane to allow the pressure to equalise between the
pressure space 32 and the space between the support diaphragm 31
and the flexible membrane 30.
[0151] FIG. 3b shows the self-cooling container 10.sup.III
comprising a beverage can 12 and the cooling device 20.sup.III
located inside the beverage can 12 before the chemical reaction has
been activated. The soluble plug 26' will prevent the pressure
inside the pressure space 32 to escape to the outside of the
cooling device 20.sup.III, while the beverage can 12 is filled with
beverage and carbonated/pressurised. After a certain time period or
alternatively during pasteurisation, the soluble plug 26' is
dissolved and fluid communication is allowed between the interior
of the beverage can 12 and the pressure space 32 of the cooling
device 20.sup.III. The pressure inside the beverage can 12 keeps
the cooling device 20.sup.III in its pre-activated state, i.e. the
chemical reaction is not started.
[0152] FIG. 3c shows the self-cooling container 10.sup.III
according to FIG. 3b when the beverage can 12 has been opened and
the chemical reaction has been activated. When the beverage can 12
has been opened, the pressure inside the beverage can 12' as well
as inside the pressure space 32, falls to the ambient pressure
outside the beverage can 12. This causes the chemical reaction in
the cooling device 20.sup.III to activate as previously described
in connection with FIGS. 2a and 2b.
[0153] FIG. 4a shows a further embodiment of a self-cooling
container 10.sup.IV. The self-cooling container 10.sup.IV comprises
a beverage can 12' similar to the beverage can described in
connection with FIGS. 1a and 1b to 3b and 3c. The beverage can 12'
has a beverage can base 14, a lid 16 and a cooling device
20.sup.IV, which is fixated onto the lid 16 and extending into the
beverage can 12'. The cooling device 20.sup.IV comprises a
cylindrical aluminium tube extending towards the beverage can base
14. A pressure inlet 52 is defined in the lid 16 for allowing fluid
communication between the outside atmospheric pressure and a
pressure space 32', which is defined inside the cooling device
20.sup.IV between the lid 16 and a diaphragm 30'. The diaphragm 30'
is made of a flexible material such as rubber and forms a fluid
tight barrier between the pressure space 32' and a water chamber
44'. The water chamber 44' is separated from a main reactant
chamber 28' by a rupturable diaphragm 54. The rupturable diaphragm
54 is made of a flexible material similar to the diaphragm 30'. The
rupturable diaphragm 54 may be ruptured, i.e. irreversibly opened
by a piercing element 56 constituting a needle, which is located
inside the main reactant chamber 28' and pointing towards the
rupturable diaphragm 54. The main reactant chamber 28' is filled
with a coated granulate reactant similar to the embodiments
described in connection with FIGS. 1a-c to 3a-c. The main reactant
chamber 28' is separated from the beverage can 12' by a bottom 22'
which is located near, however not contacting, the beverage can
base 14. The bottom 22' is made of the same material as the outer
wall of the cooling device 20.sup.IV, i.e. preferably aluminium.
The bottom 22' is connected to the outer wall of the cooling device
20.sup.IV via a corrugation 58 allowing the bottom 22' to be
flexible and bistable, i.e. able to adopt mechanically stable
inward and outward bulging states, respectively. When the beverage
can 12' is filled and pressurised, the pressure inside the beverage
can 12' will cause the bottom 22', the rupturable diaphragm 54 and
the diaphragm 30' to bulge in an inward direction.
[0154] FIG. 4b shows the self-cooling container 10.sup.IV
comprising the beverage can 12', which has been opened by operating
the tab 18. By operating the tab 18, an embossing in the lid 16 is
ruptured and an opening is formed in the lid 16 allowing the
beverage to be poured out and the pressure to escape. When the
pressure escapes, the bottom 22' of the cooling device 20.sup.IV
will bulge towards the beverage can base 14 due to the internal
pressure in the cooling device 20.sup.IV. The bottom 22' is made
bistable, so that when bulging towards the beverage can base 14, a
atmospheric pressure results in the main reactant chamber 28' and
the rupturable diaphragm 54 and the diaphragm 30' to bulge towards
the beverage can base 14. The rupturable diaphragm 54 will
therefore bulge into the piercing element 56 causing the rupturable
diaphragm 54 to burst. The rupturable diaphragm 54 may be a
bursting diaphragm or alternatively have a predetermined breaking
point or alternatively have a built-in tension so that when the
piercing element 56 enters the rupturable diaphragm 54, an opening
is created between the water chamber 44' and the main reactant
chamber 28' causing the water in the water chamber 44' to enter the
main reactant chamber 28', thereby activating the chemical reaction
resulting in a cooling of the beverage. The chemical reaction will
draw energy from the surrounding verge and thereby cause a relative
cooling of at least 10 degrees C..degree., preferably 20 degrees
C..degree. or more.
[0155] FIG. 5a shows a self-cooling container 10.sup.V, similar to
the self-cooling container 10.sup.IV of FIGS. 4a-b. Instead of a
rupturable diaphragm, the self-cooling container 10.sup.V has a
main cap 60 made of plastic material separating the water chamber
44' and the main reactant chamber 28'. The main cap 60 is held in
place by a main cap seat 62 constituting an inwardly protruding
flange which is fixed to the inner wall of the cooling device
20.sup.V and which applies a light pressure onto the main cap 60.
The main cap 60 constitutes a shallow circular plastic element
forming a fluid tight connection between the water chamber 44' and
the main reactant chamber 28'.
[0156] FIG. 5b shows the self-cooling container 10.sup.V according
to FIG. 5a, which has been opened and activated similar to the
beverage can described in FIG. 4b. When the beverage can 12' has
been opened, the bottom 22' of the cooling device 20.sup.V will
bulge towards the beverage can base 14, which will cause a pressure
drop inside the main reactant chamber 28' resulting in the main cap
60 being ejected from the main cap seat 62 and falling into the
main reactant chamber 28', thereby allowing fluid communication
between the water chamber 44' and the main reactant chamber 28'.
Water will therefore flow from the water chamber 44 into the main
reactant chamber 28', thereby activating the chemical reaction and
causing the beverage to be cooled. As the granulate reactant is
being dissolved, the main cap 60 may fall towards the bottom 22' of
the cooling device 20.sup.V.
[0157] FIG. 6a shows a self-cooling container 10.sup.VI similar to
the self-cooling container 10.sup.V shown in FIGS. 5a-b, however,
instead of a main cap seat and a main cap, the present embodiment
comprises a support mesh 66 and a rupturable diaphragm 54'
separating the water chamber 44' and the main reactant chamber 28'.
The support mesh 66 constitutes a grid made of metal or plastics,
which is placed in a juxtaposed position in relation to a
rupturable diaphragm 54', where the diaphragm 54' is facing the
main reactant chamber 28' and the support mesh 66 is facing the
water chamber 44'. The rupturable diaphragm 54' constitutes a burst
membrane, which prevents fluid communication between the water
chamber 44' and the main reactant chamber 28'. The support mesh 66
prevents the rupturable diaphragm 54' from bulging upwardly towards
the pressure inlet 52' and rupturing in case the pressure in the
main reactant chamber 28' exceeds the pressure in the water chamber
44'.
[0158] FIG. 6b shows a self-cooling container 10.sup.VI when the
beverage can 12' has been opened. By opening the beverage can 12',
the pressure is reduced inside the beverage can 12' causing the
bottom 22' to bulge towards the beverage can base 14, thereby
reducing the pressure inside the main reactant chamber 28'. The
reduced pressure inside the main reactant chamber 28' causes the
rupturable diaphragm 54' to bulge towards the beverage can base 14.
The rupturable diaphragm 54' is a burst membrane, which is caused
to rupture without use of a piercing element. The rupturable
diaphragm 54' may constitute a non resilient membrane which is
caused to burst by the pressure difference between the main
reactant chamber 28' and the water chamber 44', thereby
establishing a fluid communication between the water chamber 54'
and the main reactant chamber 28'. The water entering the main
reactant chamber 28' from the water chamber 44' will activate the
chemical reaction causing a cooling effect on the surrounding
beverage as described previously in the FIGS. 4a-b to 5a-b.
[0159] FIGS. 7a and 7b show a self-cooling container 10.sup.VII
similar to the self-cooling container 10.sup.VI of FIGS. 6a-b,
however, instead of a rupturable diaphragm and a piercing element,
a telescoping valve 68 is separating the water chamber 44' and the
main reactant chamber 28'. The telescoping valve 68 constitutes a
plurality of valve elements 69, 70 and 71. The valve elements 69,
70 and 71 constitute circular cylindrical flange elements. The
first valve element 69 having the largest diameter is fixated to
the inner wall of the cooling device 20.sup.VII. The first valve
element 69 is protruding slightly towards the bottom 22' of the
cooling device 20.sup.VII and constitutes an inwardly protruding
bead. The second valve element 70 constitutes a flange element
having an upper outwardly protruding bead sealing against the first
valve element 69 and an inwardly protruding bead sealing against
the outwardly protruding bead of the first valve element 69. The
third valve element 71 constitutes a cup-shaped element having an
upper outwardly protruding bead sealing against the outwardly
protruding bead of the second valve element 70 and a lower
horizontal surface sealing against the lower inwardly protruding
bead of the second valve element 70.
[0160] FIG. 7b shows the self-cooling container 10.sup.VII of FIG.
7a when the beverage can 12' has been opened. As previously
described in FIG. 6b, the opening of the beverage can 12' causes
the bottom 22' of the cooling device 20.sup.VII to bulge outwardly,
thereby causing the pressure in the main reactant chamber 28' to be
reduced, thereby causing the second and third valve elements 70 and
71 to move in a direction towards the bottom 22' of the cooling
device 20.sup.VII so that the outwardly protruding bead of the
second valve element 70 seals against the inwardly protruding bead
of the first valve element 69 and the outwardly protruding bead of
the third valve element 71 seals against the inwardly protruding
bead of the second valve element 70. The second and third valve
elements 70 and 71 are provided with circumferentially distributed
valve apertures 72, which allow fluid communication between the
water chamber 44' and the main reactant chamber 28'. Thus, water is
allowed to flow from the water chamber 44' to the main reactant
chamber 28'.
[0161] FIG. 8a shows a self-cooling container 10.sup.VIII similar
to the self-cooling container 10.sup.IV described in connection
with FIGS. 4a-b, however, an auxiliary reactant chamber 50' is
provided between the water chamber 44' and the main reactant
chamber 28'. The water chamber 44' is separated from the auxiliary
reactant chamber 50' by a support 74 and a rupturable diaphragm
54''. The support 74 seals between the inner wall of the cooling
device 20.sup.VIII and the rupturable diaphragm 54'', which is
centrally located and covering a descending pipe 76, which is
protruding towards the main reactant chamber 28'. The auxiliary
reactant chamber 50' and the main reactant chamber 28' are
separated by a water soluble diaphragm 78.
[0162] FIG. 8b shows the self-cooling container 10.sup.VIII as
described in FIG. 8a when the beverage can 12' has been opened. The
opening of the beverage can causes the bottom 22' of the cooling
device 20.sup.VIII to bulge outwardly as described above in
connection with FIGS. 4a-b to FIGS. 7a-b. The reduced pressure in
the main reactant chamber 28' causes the water soluble diaphragm 78
to bulge towards the bottom 22' and the resulting low pressure in
the auxiliary reactant chamber 50' causes the rupturable diaphragm
54'' to burst and allowing the water in the water chamber 44' to
enter the descending pipe 76 and flow towards the water soluble
diaphragm 78. When the water soluble diaphragm 78 is dissolved by
the water from the descending pipe, the auxiliary reactants 29,
constituting the first of the two reactants required for the
chemical reaction to activate and stored in the auxiliary reactant
chamber 50', will be allowed to react with the main reactant 29',
constituting the second of the two reactants required for the
chemical reaction to activate and stored in the main reactant
chamber 28'. The resulting activation of the chemical reaction is
caused by the mutual contacting of the reactants. The reaction
yields the cooling effect.
[0163] FIG. 9a shows a self-cooling container 10.sup.IX similar to
the self-cooling container 10.sup.IV of FIGS. 4a-b, however
comprising a cooling device 20.sup.IX being made completely of
polymeric material. The cooling device 20.sup.IX constitutes a
polymeric cylinder having three parts, the first part being a rigid
cylinder part 80 which is fixated to the lid 16 of the beverage can
12'. The lid 16 is gas tight, thus not providing any fluid
communication between the outside and the upper rigid cylinder part
80. The upper rigid cylinder part 80 protrudes into the beverage
can 12' and is connected to the second cylinder part constituting
an intermediate flexible cylinder 82, which is in turn connected to
the third cylinder part constituting a lower rigid cylinder part
81, which is sealed off close to the beverage can base 14. The
upper rigid cylinder part 80 constitutes a water chamber 44' and
the lower rigid cylinder part 81 is filled with a reactant
granulate. When the beverage can 12' is filled and pressurised, the
pressure will cause the intermediate flexible cylinder 82 to be
squeezed off, forming a squeeze off valve, due to the lower
pressure inside the cooling device 20.sup.IX compared to the
pressure in the beverage can 12'.
[0164] FIG. 9b shows the self-cooling container 10.sup.IX of FIG.
9a when the beverage can 12' has been opened. The lower pressure in
the beverage can 12' will cause the intermediate flexible cylinder
82 to assume a non-squeezed state allowing fluid communication
between the upper rigid cylinder part 80 and the lower rigid
cylinder part 81. This way the intermediate cylinder 82 forms a
channel so that the water contained in the upper rigid cylinder
part will flow into the lower rigid cylinder part, thereby
activating the coated granulate reactant stored in the lower rigid
cylinder part 81.
[0165] FIG. 9c shows the self-cooling container 10.sup.IX
comprising a beverage can 12' having a cooling device 20.sup.IX
similar to FIG. 9a and FIG. 9b, however, additionally providing an
optional circumferential gripping member 83 located on the inner
wall on the intermediate flexible cylinder 82. The gripping member
83 is accommodating a separation element 84 constituting a small
disc shaped element of plastic material, which provides a more
secure sealing between the water stored in the upper rigid cylinder
part 80 and the reactant granulate stored in the lower rigid
cylinder part 81. The gripping member 83 and the separation element
84 are preferably made of substantially rigid plastics. The
gripping member 83 comprises gripping elements which may interlock
with corresponding beads on the separation element 83.
[0166] FIG. 9d shows a close-up of the gripping member 83 and the
separation element 84 of FIG. 9c when the beverage can 12' is an
unopened and pressurised state.
[0167] FIG. 9e shows a close-up view of FIG. 9d, when the beverage
can 12' has been opened and the reduced pressure from the outside
of the intermediate flexible cylinder 82 causes the walls of the
intermediate flexible cylinder 82 to separate and causes the
separation element 84 to detach from the gripping member 83, thus
allowing fluid communication between the upper rigid cylinder part
80 and the lower rigid cylinder part 81. By using the gripping
member 83 and the separation element 84, a well defined separation
is accomplished between the upper rigid cylinder part 80 and the
lower rigid cylinder part 81 when the cooling device 20.sup.IX is
activated and the walls of the intermediate flexible cylinder 82
are separated.
[0168] FIG. 10a shows a self-cooling container 10.sup.X similar to
the self-cooling container 10.sup.V of FIGS. 5a-b. The cooling
device 20.sup.X has an auxiliary reactant chamber 50', which is
located between the water chamber 44' and the main reactant chamber
28'. The auxiliary reactant chamber 50' is separated from the main
reactant chamber 28' by a main cap 60' and a main cap seat 62'. The
auxiliary reactant chamber 50' is separated from the water chamber
44' by an auxiliary cap 86 and an auxiliary cap seat 88. The main
cap seat 62' and the main cap 60' as well as the auxiliary cap seat
88 and the auxiliary cap 86 work in the same way as the main cap
seat 62 and the main cap 60 described in connection with FIGS.
5a-b.
[0169] FIG. 10b shows the self-cooling container 10.sup.X of FIG.
10a when the beverage can 12' has been opened and the bottom 22' of
the cooling device 20.sup.X has been caused to bulge outwardly due
to the reduced pressure inside the beverage can 12'. This causes
the auxiliary cap 86 and the main cap 60' to fall downwardly in
direction towards the bottom 22' due to the pressure force, which
causes the water, the auxiliary reactant and the main reactant to
mix and thereby activate the chemical reaction.
[0170] FIG. 11a shows a self-cooling container 10.sup.XI similar to
the self-cooling container 10.sup.X described in connection with
FIGS. 10a-b, however, instead of an auxiliary cap seat and an
auxiliary cap, a support mesh 66 and a rupturable diaphragm 54' are
provided. The support mesh 66 and the rupturable diaphragm 54' work
in the same as in the previously described self-cooling container
10.sup.VI of FIGS. 6a-b.
[0171] FIG. 11b shows the self-cooling container 10.sup.XI of FIG.
11a when the beverage can 12' has been opened and the cooling
device 20.sup.XI has been activated.
[0172] FIG. 12a and FIG. 12b show a self-cooling container
10.sup.XII similar to the self-cooling container 10.sup.X, where
the rupturable diaphragm 54 and the piercing element 56 of FIGS.
4a-b have been combined with the support mesh 66 and the rupturable
diaphragm 54' of FIGS. 6a-b.
[0173] FIG. 13a shows a self-cooling container 10.sup.XIII
comprising a beverage can 12'' having a submerged cooling device
20.sup.XIII constituting a cooling widget. The cooling device
20.sup.XIII defines a cylinder of preferably polymeric material,
which may move freely in the beverage inside the beverage can 12''.
The cooling device 20.sup.XIII comprises a pressure space 32'', a
water chamber 44'' and a main reactant chamber 28''. The pressure
space 32'' comprises a pressure inlet 52' for allowing a small
amount of beverage to enter the cooling device 20.sup.XIII. The
pressure space 32'' and the water chamber 44'' are separated by a
flexible diaphragm 30''. The water chamber 44'' and the main
reactant chamber 28' are separated by a plug seat 90 and a main
plug 88 centrally located in the plug seat 90. The plug seat 90
seals between the main plug 88 and the inner wall of the cooling
device 20.sup.XIII. The main plug 88 is connected to the flexible
diaphragm 30''. The overpressure in the beverage can 12'' keeps the
diaphragm 30'' in a relaxed and non-activated state. The main plug
88 separates the water in the water chamber 44'' and granulates
reactants in the main reactant chamber 28''.
[0174] FIG. 13b shows the self-cooling container 10.sup.XIII as
described in FIG. 13a when the beverage can 12'' has been opened.
When the beverage can 12'' has been opened, the pressure inside the
beverage can 12'' and the pressure space 32'' are reduced and the
pressure in the water chamber 44'' causes the diaphragm 30'' to
bulge towards the pressure inlet 52'. When the flexible diaphragm
30'' bulges towards the pressure inlet 52', the main plug 88, which
is connected to the diaphragm 30'' will disconnect from the plug
seat 90 and fluid communication is accomplished between the water
chamber 44'' and the main reactant chamber 28'', allowing water to
enter the main reactant chamber 44'' and activate the chemical
reaction which is causing the beverage to be cooled.
[0175] FIG. 14a shows a self-cooling container 10.sup.XIV similar
to the self-cooling container 10.sup.XIII shown in FIGS. 13a-b,
however where the cooling device 20.sup.XIV additionally comprises
an auxiliary reactant chamber 50'' including a reaction control
fluid for reducing the reaction time. The auxiliary reactant
chamber 50'' is located between the water chamber 44'' and the main
reactant chamber 28''. The water chamber 44'' and the auxiliary
reactant chamber 50'' are separated by a main plug seat 90 and a
main plug 88 and the auxiliary reactant chamber 50'' and the main
reactant chamber 28'' are separated by an auxiliary plug seat 94
and an auxiliary plug 92. The auxiliary plug 92 is connected to the
main plug 88.
[0176] FIG. 14b shows the self-cooling container 10.sup.XIV of FIG.
14a when the beverage can 12'' has been opened. The pressure loss
when opening the beverage can 12'' will cause the diaphragm 30'' to
bulge towards the pressure inlet 52'. Since both the main plug 88
and the auxiliary plug 92 are connected to the flexible diaphragm
30'', both the water chamber 44'' and the auxiliary reactant
chamber 50'' will establish fluid communication with the main
reactant chamber 28''. This causes the water in the water chamber
44''and the reaction control fluid in the auxiliary reactant
chamber 50'' to flow into the main reactant chamber 28'', which is
filled with the coated granulate reactant 29. When both the
reactants are mixed together in water, the chemical reaction is
activated and the cooling is initiated. The reaction control fluid
prolongs the cooling effect and may be used for e.g. preventing ice
formation inside the beverage can 12''.
[0177] FIGS. 15a and 15b shows a self-cooling container 10.sup.XV
similar to the self-cooling container 10.sup.XIV shown in FIGS.
14a-b, however, instead of using a flow control fluid, the second
reactant 29 is stored in the auxiliary reactant chamber 50'',
thereby excluding the use of a coating of the reactant. When
activation is established by opening the beverage can 12'' and the
first granulate reactant 29' in the main reactant chamber 28'' is
mixed with the second granulate reactant 29 in a water solution,
the chemical reaction is activated.
[0178] FIG. 16a shows a self-cooling container 10.sup.XVI
constituting a cooling box comprising an insulating carrier 96
being made of rigid insulating material, such as Styrofoam or the
like. The insulating carrier 96 has a cavity 97 defining a space
suitable for accommodating six standard beverage cans 12''', i.e.
typically sized beverage cans having a shape corresponding to the
beverage cans described above and designated the reference numeral
12, however exclusive of the cooling device. The inner cavity 97
defines a flat bottom surface and an inner continuous sidewall
which has bulges 98 for defining a plurality of interconnected arcs
corresponding to the outer surface of six beverage cans defining
positions for individual placement of the beverage cans 12''' when
placed in the well known 3.times.2 "sixpack" configuration so that
a stable and secure positioning is achieved. The inner cavity 97 is
thus configured for accommodating six beverage cans 12''' in two
rows with three beverage cans 12''' in each row (FIG. 16b). A
spacer 99 is provided for filling up the inner cavity 97 between
the six beverage cans 12''' for added stability. The spacer 99 is
preferably made in a non-thermal insulating or weakly thermal
insulating material such as plastics, metal or cardboard. In the
self-cooling container 10.sup.XVI, one of the beverage cans 12'''
has been substituted by a cooling device 20.sup.XVI having an
external shape corresponding to a beverage can 12'''.
[0179] The cooling device 20.sup.XVI has an activation button 100,
which is pressed for activating the chemical reaction inside the
cooling device 20.sup.XVI. The inside of the cooling device
20.sup.XVI may correspond to any of the previous cooling devices
shown in FIGS. 1a, 1b, 1c-15a, 15b, except that the activation is
performed by a mechanical action from the outside, i.e. by pressing
the activation button 100. The activation button 100 may be
directly coupled to e.g. a rupturable diaphragm or the like
separating the two reactants, thus by pressing the activation
button 100, the diaphragm is ruptured allowing the two reactants to
contact each other. Alternatively the activation button 100 may be
acting on a pressure space, and the change of pressure causes a
flexible diaphragm to move and start the chemical reaction.
[0180] FIG. 16b shows a top view of the self-cooling container
10.sup.XVI comprising the insulating carrier 96 accommodating the
five beverage cans 12 and the cooling device 20.sup.XVI. The
self-cooling container 10.sup.XVI may be stored at room
temperature. When the beverage in the beverage cans is about to be
consumed, the activation button 100 on the cooling device
20.sup.XVI is pressed and the cooling is activated. An optional
cover on the insulation carrier 96 may be provided as an additional
insulation.
[0181] FIG. 17a shows a self-cooling container 10.sup.XVII
constituting an alternative configuration of the self-cooling
container 10.sup.XVI. The cooling device 20.sup.XVII, corresponding
to the cooling device 20.sup.XVI of FIG. 16a-b, is accommodated in
a centrally located spacer 99' and 6 beverage containers are
accommodated in an insulation carrier 96' surrounding the spacer
99'. The insulation carrier 96' has a rounded outer shape and an
inner cavity 97' having bulges 98' for accommodating the six
beverage cans 12''' in a circumferential configuration around the
centrally located spacer 99'.
[0182] FIGS. 17b and 17c show a perspective view and a top view,
respectively, of the self-cooling container 10.sup.XVII of FIG.
17a.
[0183] FIGS. 18a-f show the steps of filling and pressurising a
beverage can 12 of the type shown in the FIGS. 1a-c to 3a-c,
including a cooling device 20 of the type shown in FIGS. 1a, 1b,
1c-3a, 3b, 3c.
[0184] FIG. 18a shows the process of ventilating the beverage can
12 prior to filling. The beverage can 12 includes a cooling device
20 and a lid flange 104. The beverage can 12 is typically
ventilated three times by inserting a ventilating hose 102 and
injecting carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) into the beverage can 12. The
carbon dioxide will substitute the air inside the beverage can 12.
Any amount of residual air inside the beverage can 12 may result in
deterioration of the beverage. Subsequent to the ventilation, the
beverage can 12 is filled with beverage as shown in FIG. 18b.
[0185] FIG. 18b shows the beverage filling process, in which a
filling hose 103 is inserted and beverage is injected into the
beverage can 12. The beverage is pre-carbonated and having a low
temperature of just a few degrees centigrade above the freezing
point for accommodating a maximum amount of carbon dioxide
dissolved in the beverage.
[0186] FIG. 18c shows the filled beverage can 12 when the filling
hose 103 has been removed. The beverage is kept in a carbon dioxide
atmosphere having a temperature just above the freezing point to be
able to be saturated with carbon dioxide without the need of a high
pressurized environment.
[0187] FIG. 18d shows a beverage can 12, where a lid 16 has been
sealed on to the lid flange 104. The lid 16 is folded on to the lid
flange 104 forming a pressure tight sealing.
[0188] FIG. 18e shows the beverage can 12 inside a pasteurisation
plant 106. The pasteurisation plant 106 comprises a water bath of
about 70 degrees centigrade. The pasteurisation process is well
known for retarding any microbiological growth in food products.
During pasteurisation, the pressure inside the beverage can will
rise to about 6 bar due to the heating of the beverage and the
resulting release of carbon dioxide from the beverage. The cooling
device 20 should be made sufficiently rigid to be able to withstand
such high pressures. In addition, the reactants used inside the
cooling device 20 should remain unaffected of the increased
temperature and pressure, i.e. they should not combust, react,
melt, boil or otherwise change their state making a later
initiation of the reaction impossible or ineffective. It should
also be noted that for non-pasteurised beverages, such as mineral
water, the reactants should still remain unaffected up to a
temperature of at least 30 to 35 degrees centigrade, which is a
temperature which may be achieved during indoor or outdoor
storage.
[0189] FIG. 18f shows the beverage can 12 at room temperature. The
pressure inside the beverage can 12 is about 3 to 5 bar, which is
sufficient for preventing activation of the cooling device 20. When
the beverage can is being opened, the pressure inside will escape
to the surrounding atmosphere, the beverage can 12 will assume
atmospheric pressure of 1 bar and the cooling device 20 will
activate as previously discussed in connection with FIGS. 1a, 1b,
1c-15a, 15b.
[0190] FIGS. 19a-f show the steps of filling and pressurising a
beverage can 12 of the type shown in the FIGS. 13a-b to 15a-b,
including a cooling device 20 of the type shown in FIGS. 13a-b to
15a-b. The process is similar to the filling process described
above in connection with FIGS. 18a-f, except for the positioning of
the cooling device 20 in FIG. 19c, which occurs after filling but
before applying the lid 16.
[0191] FIGS. 20a to 20f show the steps of filling and pressurising
a beverage can 12 of the type shown in the FIGS. 4a-b to 12a-b,
including a cooling device 20 of the type shown in FIGS. 4a-b to
12a-b. As the cooling device 20 is attached to the lid 16, the
cooling device 20 and the lid 16 are attached to the beverage can
12 in one piece in FIG. 20d.
[0192] FIG. 21a shows a party keg system 110 having a built-in
pressurisation system and a self-cooling beverage container. The
party keg system 110 constitutes a simple beverage dispensing
system for typically single use and accommodates about three to ten
litres of beverage and typically five litres of beverage. Party
kegs are often used for minor social events such as private parties
and the like. Party kegs often include a pressurisation and
carbonisation system and one such party keg system has been
described in the pending and not yet published European patent
application No. 08388041.9. The party keg mentioned in 08388041.9,
however, does not provide any internal cooling, thus requiring
external cooling until the beverage is about to be consumed. The
party keg system 110 comprises a housing 112, which preferably is
made of a light insulating material, such as styrofoam or the like.
The housing 112 comprises an upper space 114 and a lower space 116,
which are separated by a closure 118. A beverage keg 120 including
a suitable amount of beverage is accommodated in the lower space
116 and fixated to the closure 118. The beverage keg 120 has an
upwards oriented opening 122, which is fixated to the closure 118
by a fixation flange 123. A tapping line 124 is extending through
the opening 122 into the beverage keg 120. The tapping line 124
constitutes an ascending pipe and extends through the closure 118
via the upper space 114 to the outside of the housing 112. Outside
the housing 112, a tapping valve 126 is used for controlling the
flow of beverage through the tapping valve 126. When the tapping
valve 126 is in an open position, beverage will flow through the
tapping line 124 and leave the party keg system 110 via a beverage
tap 127, while the beverage may be collected in a glass or the
like. A gasket 128 seals the tapping line 124 to the closure 118. A
pressure generator 130 is located in the upper space 114. The
pressure generator 130 may be a cartridge of pressurised carbon
dioxide or alternatively, a chemical pressure generator. The
pressure generator 130 is connected to the beverage keg 120 by a
pressurising hose 132. The pressurising hose 132 is connected to
the interior of the beverage keg 120 via the opening 122 and is
sealed to the closure 118 by the gasket 128. A pressurisation knob
134 extending between the pressure generator 130 and the outside of
the housing 112 is used for initiating the pressurisation of the
beverage keg 120. The beverage keg 120 is filled with beverage and
additionally accommodates a cooling device 20.sup.XXI. The cooling
device 20.sup.XXI includes a main reactant chamber 28' and an
auxiliary reactant chamber 50'', which are separated by a
water-soluble diaphragm 78. A fluid inlet 136 is located next to
the water-soluble diaphragm 78. The fluid inlet 136 will allow
pressurised fluid to enter the cooling device 20.sup.XXI. The fluid
inlet 136 comprise a check valve 138, preventing any reactant from
flowing out of the fluid inlet 136 and contact the beverage due to
pressure variations in the beverage keg 120.
[0193] FIG. 21b shows the party keg system 110 of FIG. 21a when it
has been activated by operating the pressurisation knob 134. When
the pressurisation knob 134 has been operated, pressurised carbon
dioxide will enter the beverage keg 120 and pressurise the beverage
accommodated inside. Beverage will thus enter the fluid inlet 136
of the cooling device 20.sup.XXI and dissolve the water-soluble
diaphragm 78. This causes the main reactant 29' located in the main
reactant chamber 28' to mix with the auxiliary reactant 29 located
in the auxiliary reactant chamber 50'' and thereby activate the
cooling reaction. The functional principle of the cooling device
20.sup.XXI is similar to the functional principle of the cooling
device 20.sup.VIII of FIGS. 8a-b, however, in an opposite
direction, i.e., whereas the cooling device 20.sup.VIII of FIGS.
8a-b is initiated by a reduction of pressure, the cooling device
20.sup.XXI of FIGS. 21a-b is activated by an increase in pressure.
This way, the party keg system 110 must not be pre-cooled and may
be stored at room temperature. When the beverage is about to be
consumed, the operator presses the pressurisation knob, which
automatically initiates the cooling reaction and after a few
minutes, a cool beverage may be dispensed by operating the tapping
valve 126. It is further contemplated that the housing 112 of the
party keg system 110 may be omitted or replaced by a simpler
housing if for instance no insulation is needed.
[0194] FIG. 22a shows a beverage dispensing system 140 for private
or professional use. Such beverage dispensing systems are well
known in the art and have been previously described in the
international PCT application 2007/019853. The beverage dispensing
system 140 comprises a pivotable enclosure 142, which is attached
to a base plate 144. The interior of the enclosure 142 defines a
pressure chamber 146. The pressure chamber 146 is separated from
the base plate 144 by a pressure lid 148. The pressure lid 148 is
sealed in relation to the base plate 144 by sealings 150. The side
of the pressure lid 148 facing inwardly towards the pressure
chamber 146 constitutes a coupling flange 152. The coupling flange
152 is used for fixating a beverage keg 120', which is accommodated
within and fills the greater part of the pressure chamber 146.
[0195] The beverage keg 120' constitutes a collapsible keg which is
allowed to collapse due to the pressure force while the beverage is
dispensed. A cooling and pressurisation generator 156 is connected
to the pressure chamber 146 for providing cooling and
pressurisation for the beverage located inside the beverage keg
146. A tapping line 124' connects the pressure chamber 146 to a
tapping valve 126'. The end of the tapping line 124 facing the
pressure chamber 146 is provided with a cannula 151 for piercing
through the coupling flange 152 for allowing fluid communication
between the interior of the beverage keg 120' and the tapping valve
126'. A tapping handle 154 is used for operating the tapping valve
126' between the shut-off position and the beverage dispensing
position. In the beverage dispensing position, the handle 154 is
moved from its normal vertical orientation to a horizontal
orientation, and beverage is allowed to flow through the tapping
valve 126' and leave the beverage dispensing system 140 through a
beverage tap 127'. The interior of the beverage keg 120'
accommodates beverage and a cooling device 20.sup.XXII. The cooling
device 20.sup.XXII which is held by a fixing rod 158 comprises a
main reactant chamber 28 and an auxiliary reactant chamber 50. The
main reactant chamber 28 and the auxiliary reactant chamber 50 are
separated by a rupturable diaphragm 54. The top of the cooling
device 20.sup.XXII is provided with a flexible diaphragm 30 to
which a piercing element 56 is connected. The piercing element 56
extends towards the rupturable diaphragm 54.
[0196] FIG. 22b shows the beverage dispensing system 140 of FIG.
22a wherein the pressure chamber 146 has been pressurised. The
pressure in the pressure chamber 146 acts to deform the beverage
keg 120'' and causes the flexible diaphragm 30 to bulge inwards
towards the rupturable diaphragm 54. The rupturable diaphragm 54
will thereby burst by the protruding piercing element 56 and the
chemical reaction for providing cooling is activated. This way, a
rapid cooling of the beverage inside the beverage keg 120' is
accomplished and a cold beverage may be dispensed from the beverage
keg 126' by operating the tapping handle 154 within a few minutes
from activation. This way, the beverage keg 120' must not be cooled
and the long waiting period for allowing the beverage to cool in a
conventional way is avoided. The cooling device 20.sup.XXII will
rapid-cool the beverage when the beverage keg has been
installed.
[0197] FIG. 23a shows a beverage dispensing system 140' similar to
the beverage dispensing system 140 shown in FIGS. 22a-b except the
cooling device 20.sup.XXIII, which works similar to the cooling
device 20.sup.XXI of FIGS. 21a-b. The cooling device 20.sup.XXIII
comprises a main reactant chamber 28 and an auxiliary reactant
chamber 50, which are separated by a water-soluble diaphragm 78.
The water-soluble diaphragm 78 is connected to the coupling flange
152 by an activation channel 160. The coupling flange 152 comprises
a dual sealing membrane 162, which seals the activation channel 160
from the interior of the beverage keg 120' and the outside of the
coupling flange 152. FIG. 23a shows the installation procedure of
the beverage keg 120' when the enclosure 142 is swung back for
allowing access to the pressure chamber 146.
[0198] FIG. 23b shows the beverage dispensing system 140 when the
pressure lid 148 has been attached to the enclosure 142 and the
enclosure 142 has been swung back to the normal position sealing
off the pressure chamber 146. When the pressure lid 148 is
attached, the dual sealing membrane 162 is pierced and fluid is
allowed to enter the activation channel 160 and the tapping line
124'. When the pressure chamber 146 is pressurised, beverage will
enter the activation channel 160 and dissolve the water soluble
membrane 78 at the end of the activation channel 160. Thus,
activation is accomplished and the chemical reaction will activate
for generating cooling to the beverage as discussed in connection
with FIGS. 22a-b.
[0199] FIG. 24 shows a bottle 164 having a bottle cap 166 with an
integrated cooling device 20.sup.XXIV. The bottle cap 166 has a cap
flange 170 which is mounted on a threading 168 near the mouth of
the bottle 164. The cooling device 20.sup.XXIV is fixated to the
bottle cap 166 and extending into the bottle 164. The cooling
device 20.sup.XXIV has an activation button 100' for activating the
cooling before the bottle cap 166 is removed from the bottle
164.
[0200] FIG. 25 shows a bottle 164 having a cooling device
20.sup.XXV similar to the cooling device 20.sup.XXIV shown in FIG.
24 except that a flexible diaphragm 30 is provided at the top of
the cooling device 20.sup.XXV. When the bottle cap 166 is twisted
for allowing the pressurised gas to escape from the bottle 164, the
flexible diaphragm 30 will bulge outwards and thereby initiate the
chemical reaction similar to the self-cooling beverage container
shown in connection with FIG. 4a.
[0201] FIG. 26a shows a bottle 164 having the bottle cap 166 and an
outer cap 172. The outer cap 172 is connected to a tooth rod 176,
which is located within a cooling device 20.sup.XXVI. An
intermediate diaphragm 174 separates the two reactants within the
cooling device 20.sup.XXVI.
[0202] FIG. 26b shows the bottle 164 of FIG. 26a when the outer cap
172 is twisted. By twisting the outer cap 172, the tooth rod 176
ruptures the intermediate diaphragm 174, thereby mixing the two
reactants and activating the chemical reaction for generating
cooling. After a few minutes, the outer cap 172 as well as the
bottle cap 166 may be removed and the chilled beverage may be
accessed.
[0203] FIG. 27a shows a drink stick 180 constituting a cooling
stick having an integrated cooling device 20.sup.XXVII. The drink
stick 180 comprises a knob 182, which may be used as a handle and
an elongated flexible reservoir 184 for accommodating the cooling
device 20.sup.XXVII. The cooling device 20.sup.XXVII comprises a
rupturable reservoir 186 comprising a first reactant. A second
reactant is accommodated within an elongated flexible reservoir 184
outside the rupturable reservoir 186.
[0204] FIG. 27b shows the activation of the drink stick 180 of FIG.
27a. The drink stick 180 is activated by bending the drink stick
180 in the direction of the arrows. By bending the drink stick 180,
the rupturable reservoir 186 is ruptured and the first reactant is
mixed with a second reactant, thereby activating the chemical
reaction generating a cooling effect.
[0205] FIG. 27c shows the drink stick 180 of FIG. 27b when the
rupturable reservoir 186 has been ruptured and the chemical
reaction has been activated.
[0206] FIG. 27d shows the drink stick 180 of FIG. 27c when it has
been inserted into a bottle 164. The bottle 164 may be a
conventional beverage bottle containing beer or soft drink having a
room temperature. Due to the cooling effect of the drink stick 180,
the beverage in the bottle 164 is cooled down to temperatures
significantly lower than room temperature. It is further
contemplated that the drink stick 180 may be used with other
beverage containers for giving instant cooling to any beverage. For
example the drink stick 180 may be provided in a bar for use with a
chilled long drink, such as gin and tonic, for allowing the drink
to remain cooled for a longer time period.
[0207] In an alternative embodiment the above drink stick 180 may
have a conical shape and being used together with an ice mould for
instant manufacture of ice cubes by inserting the activated drink
stick into the water filled ice mould. Alternatively, the drink
stick may have a cubic shape for direct usage as an ice cube in
drinks etc.
[0208] FIG. 28a shows a first embodiment of a bottle sleeve 188
which is suitable for being applied on the outside of a bottle 164
for use as e.g. a wine cooler. The bottle sleeve 188 comprises a
main reactant chamber 28 and a water chamber 44, which are
separated by a rupturable diaphragm 54. The bottle sleeve 188 is
fixated to the bottle by a fixation ring 189, which corresponds to
a first groove 190 in the bottle sleeve 188. The fixation ring 189
is firmly attached to the bottle 164. The first groove 190 is
located juxtaposed the main reactant chamber 28. A second groove
191 is located above the first groove 190 juxtaposed the water
chamber 44.
[0209] FIG. 28b shows the bottle sleeve 188 when it has been
activated by pushing it downwards in the direction of the arrows.
By pushing the bottle sleeve 188 downwards, the fixation ring 189
will detach from the first groove 190 and be accommodated in the
second groove 191. Thereby, the rupturable diaphragm 54 will be
ruptured by the fixation ring 189 and the water in the water
chamber 44 will mix with the reactant in the main reactant chamber
28 and the cooling reaction is activated.
[0210] FIG. 28c shows a perspective view of a bottle 164 with an
attached bottle sleeve 188.
[0211] FIG. 29a shows a bottle sleeve constituting a wine cooler
192 in a flat configuration. The wine cooler 192 comprises an outer
layer 193, an inner layer 194 and the rupturable diaphragm 54
located between the outer layer 193 and the inner layer 194. The
space between the outer layer 193 and the rupturable diaphragm 54
constitutes a water chamber 44 and the space between the rupturable
diaphragm 54 and the inner layer 194 constitutes a main reactant
chamber 28. The outer layer 193 and the inner layer 194 are
flexible and constitute bistable layers having a first stable
position shown in the flat configuration shown in FIG. 29a.
[0212] FIG. 29b shows the wine cooler 192 in its second bistable
position forming a circular sleeve shape, where the outer layer 193
is facing outwards and the inner layer 194 is facing inwards. The
second stable position may be accomplished by subjecting the wine
cooler 192 to a slight bending force. When the second
configuration, i.e. the circular configuration is assumed, the
rupturable diaphragm 54 is being ruptured and thereby, the water
and the reactant are being mixed for generating cooling.
[0213] FIG. 29c shows the wine cooler 192 in a perspective
view.
[0214] FIG. 29d shows the wine cooler 192 being attached to the
outside of a beverage bottle 164. The beverage inside the beverage
bottle 164 is thereby being efficiently cooled down to a drinking
temperature.
[0215] It is contemplated that the efficiency of the above
self-cooling beverage containers and cooling devices are strongly
dependent on the heat transfer properties (heat transfer factor) of
the cooling device. The heat transfer factor may be modified by
changing the geometry, in particular the surface area in beverage
contact, of the cooling device, e.g. by providing metal fins onto
the cooling device, the heat transfer factor may be increased, thus
the cooling efficiency is increased. Consequently, by encapsulating
the cooling device in e.g. Styrofoam or a hydrophobic material, the
heat transfer factor may be reduced, i.e. the cooling efficiency is
decreased. Alternatively, a catalyser may be used for increasing
the efficiency of the chemical cooling reaction, or an selective
adsorption-controlling agent may be used for reducing the
efficiency of the chemical cooling reaction.
[0216] It is further contemplated that the entire cooling device
may be of flexible material, such as rubber or plastics, and itself
constitute a flexible diaphragm.
[0217] A variant of the cooling device may be activated by pulling
a string connected to a mixing member through the cooling
device.
[0218] The cooling device shaped as a pipe within a pipe to cool a
beverage flowing through the inner pipe with reaction compartments
in the space between the inner pipe and the outer pipe.
[0219] The cooling device shaped so as to be mountable around a
tapping line for cooling beverage running through the tapping
line.
[0220] The cooling device may have a breakable seal to avoid
accidental activation.
[0221] The cooling device containing an arming device, the arming
device comprising a membrane permeable to the beverage, a saturated
salt solution and a non-permeable membrane separating the salt
solution from the interior of the cooling device. Upon submersion
of the cooling device in the container the water from the beverage
enters through the permeable membrane by osmosis into the saturated
salt solution which increases in volume thus exerting pressure on
the membrane which is transmitted to the interior of the cooling
device which results in increased interior pressure which can be
used to activate the reaction as described above.
[0222] FIG. 30 shows a simplified cubic crystal 195 produced as an
insoluble product of a non-reversible entropy increasing reaction
according to the present invention. The crystal 195 has a total of
6 crystal faces, one of which is designated the reference numeral
196. Furthermore the crystal 195 defines a total of 8 corners one
of which is designated the reference numeral 198. On the crystal
faces 196, there are growths, one of which is designated by the
reference numeral 197. On the corners 198 growth of the crystal is
inhibited by deposits, one of which is designated by the reference
numeral 199. The deposits are formed from a selective adsorbent
selectively adhering to the corners 198 of the crystal 195. The use
of a selective adsorbent for preventing crystal growth is indicated
in reactions where a non-soluble product may encapsulate remaining
reactants as it is formed thus halting the process.
[0223] In FIG. 31, a dispensing and refrigerator system according
to present invention is shown designating the reference numeral 200
in its entirety. The system comprises a refrigerator cabinet 202
comprising a cabinet, in which an inner space is defined as
illustrated in the lower right hand part of FIG. 31 illustrating a
cut-away part of the refrigerator cabinet 202 disclosing a
plurality of beverage cans, one of which is designated the
reference numeral 204, which is supported on beverage can sliding
chutes, one of which is designated the reference numeral 206 and
which supports a total of eight beverage cans 204. Within the
refrigerator cabinet 202, a refrigerator unit 208 and a heater unit
210 are enclosed serving the purpose of cooling and heating,
respectively, the inner chamber of the refrigerator cabinet 202 for
providing a specific and preset thermostatically controlled
temperature within the inner chamber of the refrigerator cabinet
202, such as a temperature of 16.degree.-20.degree. C., in
particular a temperature approximately at or slightly above or
slightly below the ambient temperature.
[0224] Provided the ambient temperature is substantially constant
and above a certain lower limit, the heater unit 210 may be
omitted, as the inner chamber of the refrigerator cabinet 202 is
permanently cooled to a temperature slightly below the ambient
temperature. As the inner temperature of the refrigerator cabinet
202 is set at a specific thermostatically controlled temperature,
each of the beverage cans 204 may contain a cooling device
implemented in accordance with the teachings of the present
invention for providing a cooling within a fairly short period of
time, such as a period of time of a few minutes, e.g. 1-5 min.,
preferably approximately 2 min. from the temperature at which the
beverage cans are stored within the refrigerator cabinet 202 to a
specific cooling temperature, such as a temperature of 5.degree.
C.
[0225] The refrigerator cabinet 202 shown in FIG. 31 is provided
with a dispensing aperture 212 to which a dispenser chute is
connected, which dispenser chute is designated the reference
numeral 216. The system 200 shown in FIG. 31 is advantageously
provided with additional well-known elements or components, such as
a coin receptor or a card or chip reader for operating a dispensing
mechanism included within the refrigerator cabinet 202 for
controlling the dispensing of the beverage cans 204 from the system
200 one at a time after verification of payment or verification of
receipt of confirmation of transfer of a specific amount.
[0226] By the provision of a thermostatically controlled
refrigerator cabinet 202, in which the individual beverage cans 204
are stored at a preset and constant temperature, preferably
slightly below the ambient temperature, the overall consumption of
electrical energy from the main supply is dramatically reduced as
compared to a conventional beverage can dispenser, in which the
beverage cans are all cooled to the specific low temperature of
use, i.e. a temperature of e.g. +5.degree. C. for providing to the
user a beverage can of a convenient cooled beverage. By the
reduction of the cooling to a temperature at or slightly below the
ambient temperature, only a fraction of the electrical power
consumption is to be used by the beverage dispensing system
according to the present invention as shown in FIG. 31 as compared
to a conventional beverage can refrigerator and dispenser system.
Whereas a convention beverage can dispenser and refrigerator system
has to cool the beverage cans to a temperature of 5.degree. C. from
e.g. an ambient temperature of 25.degree. C. or even higher, the
system 200 according to the present invention merely serves to cool
the beverage cans to a temperature of e.g. 20.degree. C. reducing
as a rough calculation the energy consumption by at least 80% as
compared to a comparable, conventional dispenser and refrigerator
system cooling the beverage cans from 25.degree. C. to 5.degree.
C.
[0227] In FIG. 32, a refrigerator system according to present
invention is shown designated the reference numeral 200' in its
entirety. It is to be understood that the beverage dispenser system
200 shown in FIG. 31 may be modified into a conventional fridge or
refrigerator having an openable front door 203 through which the
individual beverage cans 204 may be supported on sets of shelves
206', on which the beverage cans 204 are resting and from which the
beverage cans 204 may be caught by the users after opening the
refrigerator front door 203.
[0228] The refrigerator system 200' is similar to the refrigerator
system 200 of FIG. 31 except that the refrigerator system 200'
comprises a refrigerator cabinet door 203 which is openable for
exposing the interior of the refrigerator cabinet. A plurality of
beverage bottles, one of which is designated the reference numeral
204', and kegs, one of which is designated 204'', are supported on
beverage can shelves, one of which is designated the reference
numeral 206'. The shelves 206' replace the chutes 206 of the system
described in connection with FIG. 31. Within the refrigerator
cabinet 202', a refrigerator unit 208' and a heater unit 210' are
enclosed serving the purpose of cooling and heating, respectively,
the inner chamber of the refrigerator cabinet 202' for providing a
specific and preset thermostatically controlled temperature within
the inner chamber of the refrigerator cabinet, such as a
temperature of 16.degree.-20.degree. C., in particular a
temperature approximately at or slightly above or slightly below
the ambient temperature.
[0229] By cooling the individual beverage cans contained within the
refrigerator cabinet or within a conventional fridge as described
above to a specific and preset temperature, the cooling device
included in the individual beverage can and implemented in
accordance with the teachings of the present invention may be
designed to provide a preset and accurate cooling of the individual
beverage can from the temperature within the refrigerator cabinet
to the temperature at which the user is to drink or pour the
beverage from the beverage can.
[0230] Although the invention has above been described with
reference to a number of specific and advantageous embodiments of
beverage containers, beverage cans, bottles, cooling devices,
dispensing and cooling systems etc., it is to be understood that
the present invention is by no means limited to the above
disclosure of the above described advantageous embodiments, as the
features of the above-identified embodiments of the self-cooling
container and also the features of the features of the above
described embodiments of the cooling device may be combined to
provide additional embodiments of the self-cooling container and
the cooling device. The additional embodiments are all construed to
be part of the present invention. Furthermore, the present
invention is to be understood encompassed by any equivalent or
similar structure as described above and also to be encompassed by
the scope limited by the below points characterising the present
invention and further the below claims defining the protective
scope of the present patent application.
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 1 Measured cooling per gram of coolant
Reactant 1 Reactant 2 Reactant 3 Reactant 4 [J/g] Na.sub.2SO.sub.4,
10H.sub.2O MgCl.sub.2, 6H.sub.20 92 Na.sub.2SO.sub.4, 10H.sub.2O
CaCl.sub.2, 6H.sub.20 148 Na.sub.2SO.sub.4, 10H.sub.2O SrCl.sub.2,
6H.sub.20 141 Na.sub.2SO.sub.4, 10H.sub.2O Mg(NO.sub.3).sub.2
6H.sub.20 106 Na.sub.2SO.sub.4, 10H.sub.2O Ca(NO.sub.3).sub.2,
4H.sub.20 172 Na.sub.2SO.sub.4, 10H.sub.2O LiNO.sub.3 126
Na.sub.2SO.sub.4, 10H.sub.2O LiNO.sub.3, 3H.sub.20 --
Na.sub.2SO.sub.4, 10H.sub.2O Sr(NO.sub.3), 5H.sub.20 -- MgSO.sub.4,
7H.sub.20 Ca(NO.sub.3).sub.2, 4H.sub.20 49 MgSO.sub.4, 7H.sub.20
SrCl.sub.2, 6H.sub.20 -- KAl(SO.sub.4).sub.2, 12H.sub.20
CaCl.sub.2, 6H.sub.20 88 NaAl(SO.sub.4).sub.2, 12H.sub.20
CaCl.sub.2, 6H.sub.20 -- NH.sub.4Al(SO.sub.4).sub.2, 12H.sub.20
Ca(NO.sub.3).sub.2, 4H.sub.20 -- ZnSO.sub.4, 7H.sub.20 CaCl.sub.2,
6H.sub.20 84 Na.sub.2CO.sub.3, 10H.sub.20 Mg(NO.sub.3).sub.2,
6H.sub.20 119 Na.sub.2CO.sub.3, 10H.sub.20 NH.sub.4Cl 240
Na.sub.2CO.sub.3, 10H.sub.20 NH.sub.4SCN -- Na.sub.2CO.sub.3,
10H.sub.20 NH.sub.4NO.sub.3 -- Ba(OH).sub.2, 8H.sub.20 NH.sub.4SCN
-- Sr(OH).sub.2, 8H.sub.20 NH.sub.4NO.sub.3 190 Sr(OH).sub.2,
8H.sub.20 NH.sub.4Cl 181 Sr(OH).sub.2, 8H.sub.20 NH.sub.4NO.sub.3
Mg(NO.sub.3).sub.2, 6H.sub.20 183 Sr(OH).sub.2, 8H.sub.20
NH.sub.4NO.sub.3 Glysine 173 Sr(OH).sub.2, 8H.sub.20
NH.sub.4NO.sub.3 NaHCO.sub.3 176 Sr(OH).sub.2, 8H.sub.20 LiOH
H.sub.20 NH.sub.4NO.sub.3 195 Sr(OH).sub.2, 8H.sub.20 NH.sub.4SCN
183 Sr(OH).sub.2, 8H.sub.20 NH.sub.4NO.sub.3 Na.sub.2SiO.sub.3,
9H.sub.20 H.sub.3BO.sub.3 204 Na.sub.2SiO.sub.3, 9H.sub.20
NH.sub.4NO.sub.3 Sr(OH).sub.2, 8H.sub.20 218 Na.sub.2SiO.sub.3,
9H.sub.20 NH.sub.4Cl Sr(OH).sub.2, 8H.sub.20 -- Na.sub.2SiO.sub.3,
9H.sub.20 NH.sub.4NO.sub.3 Sr(OH).sub.2, 8H.sub.20 NH.sub.4SCN --
Na.sub.2SiO.sub.3, 9H.sub.20 NH.sub.4Cl Sr(OH).sub.2, 8H.sub.20
NH.sub.4SCN -- Na.sub.2SiO.sub.3, 9H.sub.20 NH.sub.4Cl
Sr(OH).sub.2, 8H.sub.20 NH.sub.4Al(SO4).sub.2, -- 12H.sub.20
Na.sub.2SiO.sub.3, 9H.sub.20 NH.sub.4NO.sub.3 Mg(NO.sub.3).sub.2,
6H.sub.20 155 Na.sub.2SiO.sub.3, 9H.sub.20 NH.sub.4NO.sub.3
Ca(NO.sub.3).sub.2, 4H.sub.20 128 Na.sub.2SiO.sub.3, 9H.sub.20
NH.sub.4SCN 235 Na.sub.2SiO.sub.3, 9H.sub.20 MgSO.sub.4, 7H.sub.20
NH.sub.4NO.sub.3 198 KH.sub.2 PO.sub.4 CaCl.sub.2, 6H.sub.20 27
Na.sub.2HPO.sub.4, 12H.sub.20 CaCl.sub.2, 6H.sub.20 153
NaH.sub.2PO.sub.4, 2H.sub.20 CaCl.sub.2, 6H.sub.20 -- NaHCO.sub.3
Citric acid H.sub.20 102 Ca(NO.sub.3).sub.2, 4H.sub.20 Oxalic acid
NaHCO.sub.3 147 Ca(NO.sub.3).sub.2, 4H.sub.20 Oxalic acid
KHCO.sub.3 -- Ca(NO.sub.3).sub.2, 4H.sub.20 Citric acid NaHCO.sub.3
--
TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 2 Cooling per mol Reactant [kCal/gmol]
NH.sub.4 Cl 3.82 (NH.sub.4), SO.sub.4, H.sub.2O 4.13
H.sub.3BO.sub.3 5.4 CaCl.sub.2, 6H.sub.2O 4.11 Ca(NO.sub.3).sub.2,
4H.sub.2O 2.99 Fe(NO.sub.3).sub.2, 9H.sub.2O 9.1 LiCl, 3H.sub.2O
1.98 Mg(NO.sub.3), 6H.sub.2O 3.7 MgSO.sub.4, 7H.sub.2O 3.18
Mn(NO.sub.3).sub.2, 6H.sub.2O 6.2 K Al(SO.sub.4), 12H.sub.2O 10.1 K
Cl 4.94 KI 5.23 KNO.sub.3 8.633 K.sub.2C.sub.2O.sub.4 4.6
K2C.sub.2O.sub.4, H.sub.2O 7.5 K.sub.2S.sub.2O.sub.5, 1/2H.sub.2O
10.22 K.sub.2S.sub.2O.sub.5 11.0 K.sub.2SO.sub.4 6.32
K.sub.2S.sub.2O.sub.6 13.0 K.sub.2S.sub.2O.sub.3 4.5
Na.sub.2B.sub.4O.sub.7, 10H.sub.2O 16.8 Na.sub.2CO.sub.3, 7H.sub.2O
10.81 Na.sub.2CO.sub.3, 10H.sub.2O 16.22 MaI, 2H.sub.2O 3.89
NaNO.sub.3 5.05 NaNO.sub.2 3.6 Na.sub.3 PO.sub.4, 12H.sub.2O 15.3
Na HPO.sub.4, 7H.sub.2O 12.04 Na.sub.2 HPO.sub.4, 12H.sub.2O 23.18
Na.sub.4, P.sub.2O.sub.7, 10H.sub.2O 11.7 Na.sub.2
H.sub.2P.sub.2O.sub.7, 6H.sub.2O 14.0 Na.sub.2SO.sub.3, 7H.sub.2O
11.1 Na.sub.2S.sub.2O.sub.6, 2H.sub.2O 11.86
Na.sub.2S.sub.2O.sub.3, 5H.sub.2O 11.30 Sr(NO.sub.3).sub.2,
4H.sub.2O 12.4 Zn(NO.sub.3).sub.2, 6H.sub.2O 6.0 Acetylorea
C.sub.2H.sub.6N.sub.2O.sub.2 6.812 Benzoic Acid 6.501 Oxagic Acid
8.485 Raffinose C.sub.18H.sub.32O.sub.161 5H.sub.2O 9.7
Kaliumtartrat, 4H.sub.2O 12.342 Urea Oxalat 17.806
* * * * *
References