U.S. patent application number 13/358259 was filed with the patent office on 2012-08-02 for heated container having chemical heating mechanism.
This patent application is currently assigned to Silgan Containers LLC. Invention is credited to Gerald Baker, Harley Jung.
Application Number | 20120193367 13/358259 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46576498 |
Filed Date | 2012-08-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120193367 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Baker; Gerald ; et
al. |
August 2, 2012 |
HEATED CONTAINER HAVING CHEMICAL HEATING MECHANISM
Abstract
A self-heating food container configured to hold food and to
heat food within the container is provided. The container includes
a body wall. A space is defined within the body wall. A chemical
heater is located within the space, which upon activation, is
configured to generate heat, thereby increasing the temperature of
the contents cavity.
Inventors: |
Baker; Gerald; (Wauwatosa,
WI) ; Jung; Harley; (Ft. Atkinson, WI) |
Assignee: |
Silgan Containers LLC
|
Family ID: |
46576498 |
Appl. No.: |
13/358259 |
Filed: |
January 25, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61436852 |
Jan 27, 2011 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/592.22 ;
126/263.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24V 30/00 20180501;
A47J 36/28 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/592.22 ;
126/263.01 |
International
Class: |
A47J 36/28 20060101
A47J036/28; F24J 1/00 20060101 F24J001/00 |
Claims
1. A self-heating food container comprising: an outer container
comprising a sidewall, a bottom wall and an inner surface defining
a cavity; an inner container received within the cavity of the
outer container, the inner container comprising a sidewall, a
bottom wall, an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner
surface of the inner container defining an interior cavity
configured to hold food; a space defined between the inner surface
of the outer container and the outer surface of the inner
container; a chemical heat source positioned within the space and
in thermal communication with the inner container; and an
activation element in communication with the chemical heat source,
the activation element configured to be manipulated by a user to
trigger heat generation by the chemical heat source to heat food
held with in the interior cavity of the inner container.
2. The self-heating food container of claim 1, wherein the chemical
heat source comprises a hermetically sealed exterior shell and a
heat-generating chemical located within the exterior shell.
3. The self-heating food container of claim 2, wherein the
activation element includes a cutting structure located within the
space, the cutting structure configured to pierce the hermetically
sealed exterior shell upon manipulation of the activation element
by the user.
4. The self-heating food container of claim 3, wherein the user
applies a physical force to the activation element causing the
cutting structure to pierce the exterior shell.
5. The self-heating food container of claim 1, wherein the inner
container is rotatable relative to the outer container, wherein
rotation of the inner container causes the activation element to
trigger heat generation by the chemical heat source to heat the
food held with in the interior cavity of the inner container.
6. The self-heating food container of claim 1, further comprising a
temperature sensitive deactivation element located within the space
and configured to decrease the amount of heat generated by the
chemical heater when a threshold temperature is reached.
7. The self-heating food container of claim 6, wherein the
temperature sensitive deactivation element releases a quenching
material at a predetermined temperature that mixes with the
chemical heat source to decrease the heat generated by the chemical
heat source.
8. The self-heating food container of claim 7, wherein the
temperature sensitive deactivation element comprises a ring engaged
between the inner surface of the outer container and the outer
surface of the inner container, the ring dividing the space into an
upper section and a lower section.
9. The self-heating food container of claim 8, wherein the ring is
formed of a material having a melt temperature selected such that,
when the ring reaches the melt temperature, the ring melts
disengaging from the inner surface of the outer container and from
the outer surface of the inner container allowing the quenching
material to flow into contact with the chemical heat source.
10. The self-heating food container of claim 9, wherein the ring is
formed from a wax material and the quenching material is embedded
within the wax material.
11. A self-heating food container configured to hold food and to
heat food within the container, the container comprising: a body
wall having an inner surface, an outer surface and an upper end; a
contents cavity defined by the inner surface of the body wall, the
contents cavity configured to hold the food contents of the
container; an opening defined at the upper end of the sidewall
through which the food contents of the container may be removed; a
space defined within the body wall and located between the inner
surface and the outer surface of the body wall; a chemical heater
located within the space, which upon activation, is configured to
generate heat increasing the temperature of the contents cavity;
and a deactivator located within the space and configured to
decrease the amount of heat generated by the chemical heater when a
threshold temperature is reached.
12. The self-heating food container of claim 11, wherein the
deactivator releases a quenching material when the threshold
temperature is reached, the quenching material mixing with the
chemical heat source to decrease the heat generated by the chemical
heat source.
13. The self-heating food container of claim 12, wherein the
deactivator is located in the space above the chemical heater such
that the quenching material flows into contact with the chemical
heater upon release.
14. The self-heating food container of claim 13, wherein the
deactivator comprises a ring engaged between opposing surfaces of
the space, the ring formed of a material having a melt temperature
selected such that, at the melt temperature, the ring melts
disengaging from the opposing surfaces of the space allowing the
quenching material to flow into contact with the chemical
heater.
15. The self-heating food container of claim 14, wherein the ring
of material is a wax material and the quenching material is
embedded within the wax material,
16. The self-heating food container of claim 11, wherein the body
wall comprises: an outer container comprising a sidewall, a bottom
wall and an inner surface defining a cavity; and an inner metal
container received within the cavity of the outer container, the
inner metal container comprising a sidewall, a bottom wall, an
inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the inner surface of
the inner metal container is the inner surface of the body wall
that defines the contents cavity; and wherein the space is defined
between the inner surface of the outer container and the outer
surface of the inner metal container.
17. A hand-held, self-heating food container configured to hold and
to heat a serving of food within the container, the container
comprising: a body wall having an inner surface, an outer surface
and an upper end; a contents cavity defined by the inner surface of
the body wall, the contents cavity configured to hold a serving of
food; an opening defined at the upper end of the sidewall through
which the serving of food may be removed; a space defined within
the body wall and located between the inner surface and the outer
surface of the body wall; a chemical heater located with the space
comprising a frangible shell and a heating chemical located within
the frangible shell; and an activator comprising a cutting surface
configured to pierce the frangible shell triggering heat generation
by the chemical heater.
18. The hand-held, self-heating food container of claim 17, wherein
the user applies a physical force to the activator causing the
cutting surface to pierce the frangible shell.
19. The hand-held, self-heating food container of claim 18, wherein
the activator is located in the space such that the cutting surface
is adjacent the frangible shell prior to activation.
20. The hand-held, self-heating food container of claim 18, wherein
the activator is rotatable relative to the frangible shell within
the space, wherein rotation of the activator by the user causes the
cutting surface to pierce the frangible shell.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 61/436,852 titled "HEATED CONTAINER WITH
IMPROVED CHEMICAL MANIPULATION," filed Jan. 27, 2011, which is
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to the field of
containers. The present invention relates specifically to a
container, such as a beverage or food container, having a chemical
warming mechanism.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] One embodiment of the invention relates to a self-heating
food container including an outer container and an inner container.
The outer container includes a sidewall, a bottom wall and an inner
surface defining a cavity. The inner container is received within
the cavity of the outer container. The inner container is includes
a sidewall, a bottom wall, an inner surface and an outer surface.
The inner surface of the inner container defines an interior cavity
configured to hold food. A space is defined between the inner
surface of the outer container and the outer surface of the inner
container. A chemical heat source is positioned within the space
and is in thermal communication with the inner container. An
activation element is in communication with the chemical heat
source. The activation element is configured to be manipulated by a
user to trigger heat generation by the chemical heat source to heat
food held within the interior cavity of the inner container.
[0004] Another embodiment of the invention relates to a
self-heating food container configured to hold food and to heat
food within the container. The container includes a body wall
having an inner surface, an outer surface and an upper end. A
contents cavity is defined by the inner surface of the body wall
and is configured to hold the food contents of the container. There
is an opening defined at the upper end of the sidewall through
which the food contents of the container may be removed. A space is
defined within the body wall and is located between the inner
surface and the outer surface of the body wall. A chemical heater
is located within the space, which upon activation, is configured
to generate heat, thereby increasing the temperature of the
contents cavity. A deactivator is located within the space and is
configured to decrease the amount of heat generated by the chemical
heater when a threshold temperature is reached.
[0005] Another embodiment of the invention relates to a hand-held,
self-heating food container configured to hold and to heat a
serving of food within the container. The container includes a body
wall having an inner surface, an outer surface and an upper end. A
contents cavity is defined by the inner surface of the body wall
and is configured to hold a serving a food. An opening is defined
at the upper end of the sidewall through which the serving of food
may be removed. A space is defined within the body wall and is
located between the inner surface and the outer surface of the body
wall. A chemical heater is located within the space and includes a
frangible shell and a heating chemical located within the frangible
shell. An activator including a cutting surface is configured to
pierce the frangible shell triggering heat generation by the
chemical heater.
[0006] In various embodiments of the invention, it is desirable to
provide a container capable of generating sufficient heat to warm a
beverage or food contained therein, for example, by an exothermic
chemical reaction. Specifically, in various embodiments of the
invention, it is desirable to provide an apparatus and methods for
handling, assembling, storing, and/or intermixing such reaction
chemicals or components in a container to generate heat. The
summarized features of the invention, as well as additional
inventive features, will be apparent from the description of the
embodiments of the invention provided herein. Alternative exemplary
embodiments relate to other features and combinations of features
as may be generally recited in the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] This application will become more fully understood from the
following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the
accompanying figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like
elements in which:
[0008] FIG. 1A is a side view of a heating assembly according to an
exemplary embodiment;
[0009] FIG. 1B is a top view of a heating assembly according to an
exemplary embodiment;
[0010] FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of the heating assembly of
FIG. 1A along section line A-A;
[0011] FIG. 2B is a perspective cross-sectional view of the heating
assembly of FIG. 1A along section line A-A;
[0012] FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of the heating assembly of
FIG. 1B along section line B-B;
[0013] FIG. 3B is a perspective cross-sectional view of the heating
assembly of FIG. 1B along section line B-B;
[0014] FIG. 4A is a side view of a liquid packet carrier according
to an exemplary embodiment;
[0015] FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of the liquid packet
carrier of FIG. 4A along section line C-C;
[0016] FIG. 4C is a perspective cross-sectional view of the liquid
packet carrier of FIG. 4A along section line C-C;
[0017] FIG. 5A is a top view of a cutter according to an exemplary
embodiment;
[0018] FIG. 5B is a side view of a cutter according to an exemplary
embodiment;
[0019] FIG. 5C is a perspective view of a cutter according to an
exemplary embodiment;
[0020] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the heating
assembly of FIGS. 1-5;
[0021] FIG. 7A is a side view of an assembled heated container
according to an exemplary embodiment;
[0022] FIG. 7B is a top view of an assembled heated container
according to an exemplary embodiment;
[0023] FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional view of the heated container of
FIG. 7A along section line D-D;
[0024] FIG. 8B is a perspective cross-sectional view of the heated
container of FIG. 7A along section line D-D;
[0025] FIG. 9A is a cross-sectional view of the heated container of
FIG. 7B along section line E-E; and
[0026] FIG. 9B is a perspective cross-sectional view of the heated
container of FIG. 7B along section line E-E.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0027] Before turning to the figures, which illustrate the
exemplary embodiments in detail, it should be understood that the
present application is not limited to the details or methodology
set forth in the description or illustrated in the figures. It
should also be understood that the terminology is for the purpose
of description only and should not be regarded as limiting.
[0028] FIG. 1A shows an embodiment of a heating assembly 10 for use
with a heated container. Heating assembly 10 includes a cap 12 and
a liquid packet carrier 14. Liquid packet carrier 14 includes a
generally cylindrical carrier side wall 16 and is provided with a
plurality of openings or vents 18. As shown, liquid carrier 14 is
provided with eight vents 18.
[0029] FIG. 1B shows a top view of cap 12. Cap 12 includes a top
wall 20 having an opening 22. Opening 22 may be any size or shape
suitable for removal or consumption of a beverage or food contained
within heating assembly 10. Opening 22 may be resealably or
non-resealably closed with any type of closure known in the art
(screw-on closure, stay tab, foil tape tab, etc.).
[0030] Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, cross-sectional views of the
heating assembly 10 are shown. Heating assembly 10 further includes
an inner container, shown as inner cup 24, disposed within liquid
packet carrier 14. Inner cup 24 includes a side wall 26, the side
wall 26 shown as a generally cylindrical cup wall 26, a closed
bottom wall or end 28, and an open top end 30, together defining a
beverage or food volume 8. Open top end 30 provides an opening at
the upper end of the sidewall through which the food contents of
the container may be removed. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2A
and 2B, the inner surface of side wall 26 defines an interior
cavity of the container that is configured to hold the food (e.g.,
edible material, solid food, beverage, etc.). As shown, cup wall 26
includes one or more frustoconical portions 32 configured to reduce
the diameter of inner cup 24 between open top end 30 and closed
bottom end 28. In another embodiment, side wall 26 of inner cup 24
may be smoothly tapered between open top end 30 and closed bottom
end 28, or any other combination of cylindrical cup wall portions,
frustoconical wall portions, and tapered wall portions. Inner cup
24 also includes one or more recesses or notches 34 formed in the
sidewall and recessed inward relative to the outer surface of inner
cup 24.
[0031] Inner cup 24 is formed of a thermally conductive material
such that heat from a heat source on the outside of inner cup 24
may be conducted into the food cavity of cup 24 to raise the
temperature of the contents of the cavity. In a preferred
embodiment, inner cup 24 is formed of a metal material, and in
particular, may be an aluminum alloy formed through a deep-drawing
process. In other embodiments, inner cup 24 may be formed of
another metal, or may be formed of a plastic or composite material.
Additionally, the self-heating container includes an activation
element or activator configured to be manipulated by a user to
trigger heat generation by a heater within the container. In the
embodiment shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the activator includes a
cutter 46. Cutter 46 is located outside of inner cup 24 and is
fixedly coupled to closed bottom end 28 of inner cup 24, such that
rotation of inner cup 24 also causes rotation of cutter 46.
[0032] In the embodiment shown, the container includes a
temperature sensitive deactivation element or deactivator, shown as
wax ring 44. Wax ring 44 is shown disposed on the outer
circumference or outer surface of side wall 26 of inner cup 24. Wax
ring 44 is configured to decrease the amount of heat generated by
the chemical heater of the container. In a preferred embodiment,
wax ring 44 is embedded with or impregnated with a quenching
material, such as a chemical or substance that moderates or
quenches an exothermic reaction, as disclosed in U.S. patent
application Ser. Nos. 11/568,683, 11/569,654, 12/446,731, and
12/513,905, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in
their entirety. In various embodiments, upon release from the
deactivation element, the quenching material mixes with the heat
generating chemical to decrease heat generation.
[0033] Wax ring 44 may or may not provide a seal between side wall
26 of inner cup 24 and carrier side wall 16 of liquid packet
carrier 14. As shown, wax ring 44 forms a continuous ring
surrounding side wall 26 of inner cup 24. In other embodiments, wax
ring 44 may be discontinuous, or may be affixed to the side wall 16
of liquid packet carrier 14. In still other embodiments, a wax
material may be used to releasably secure a second, separate
material to the side wall 26 of inner cup 24 or to the side wall 16
of liquid packet carrier 14. Alternatively, the wax material of wax
ring 44 may be selected to moderate or quench an exothermic
reaction by absorbing heat through a phase change from a solid wax
material to a liquid wax material, without incorporation of an
additional chemical or substance into wax ring 44 to moderate or
quench such a reaction.
[0034] Cap 12 further includes a upper wall 36, the upper wall 36
having a lower shoulder 38, an outer flange 40, and a
circumferential lip 42. Upper wall 36 and outer flange 40 define an
annular opening or gap 37. Shoulder 38 of cap 12 rotatingly
contacts liquid packet carrier 10, as described in more detail
below. As shown, outer flange 40 includes circumferential bead 41
disposed on the inside surface 39 of outer flange 40. In a
preferred embodiment, cap 12 is injection molded from a plastic
material.
[0035] Upper wall 36 of cap 12 is fixedly connected to inner cup 24
proximate to open top end 30. Upper wall 36 may be affixed to inner
cup 24 by a variety of methods (e.g. friction fit, snap engagement,
adhesive, welding) such that the seam between upper wall 36 and
inner cup 24 is generally impermeable to liquids and vapors, and
such that rotation of cap 12 additional rotates inner cup 24. Lower
shoulder 38 rotatingly contacts liquid packet carrier 14 but does
not cause rotation of liquid packet carrier 14 when cap 12 and
inner cup 24 are rotated.
[0036] Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, cross sectional views along
section B-B, 45 degrees offset from section A-A, are shown. One or
more chemical heat sources or heaters, shown as liquid packets 48,
are disposed on the inner surface 50 of liquid packet carrier 14.
Liquid packets 48 include an exterior shell 52 surrounding a liquid
54. In various embodiments, exterior shell 52 is a frangible and
hermetic shell containing one or more heating chemical, shown as
liquid 54. Exterior shell 52 may be formed from a polymer sheet or
plastic material. As shown in FIGS. 4A-4C, one or more liquid
packets 48 may be disposed on the inner surface of liquid packet
carrier 14. Where multiple liquid packets 48 are disposed on the
inner surface 50 of liquid packet carrier 14, an open area 56 of
inner surface 50 is provided to spatially separate liquid packets
48. As shown, vents 18 may be disposed in carrier side wall 16 of
liquid packet carrier 14, including within open area 56.
[0037] Referring to FIGS. 5A-5C, a cutter 46 is shown. Cutter 46
includes a cutter wall 58, a cutter bottom 60, and one or more
cutting structures, shown as cutting heads 64. Cutter bottom 60 may
be imperforate, or may include a plurality of openings 62. Openings
62 generally reduce the amount of material used to manufacture
cutter 46, thereby reducing weight and material cost. Cutting heads
64 include a sloped surface 66 and a leading edge 68. In various
embodiments, leading edge 68 may be serrated or provided with a
point capable of piercing the exterior shell of liquid packet 48. A
plurality of detents 70 are disposed on the interior surface 72 of
cutter wall 58. Detents 70 are sized and spaced to fit within
recesses 34 when cutter 46 is affixed to closed bottom end 28 of
inner cup 24. In other embodiments, cutter 46 may be adhered
(glued, friction fit, welded, etc.) to the bottom of inner cup 24,
thereby reducing or eliminating the need for mated recesses 34 and
detents 70. Alternatively, inner cup 24 may be provided with
integrally formed cutting heads 64 disposed on side wall 26 of
inner cup 24 and/or on closed bottom end 28 of inner cup 24.
[0038] Referring to FIG. 6, an exploded perspective view of heating
assembly 10 is shown. Cutter 46 is mated to the bottom of inner cup
24 such that detents 70 are slidably received within recesses 34.
Generally, the diameter of cutter wall 58 is sized to snugly
surround the bottom of inner cup 24, proximate to closed bottom end
28. Together, inner cup 24 and cutter 46 form cup assembly 74.
[0039] As shown, liquid packets 48 are disposed on the inner
surface 50 of liquid packet carrier 14 such that liquid packets 48
are separated by open areas 56. Vents 18 in carrier side wall are
formed from an opening 17 in carrier wall 16, and a vent cover 19
affixed over opening 17, thereby providing a gas permeable vent 18
that is resistant to penetration by liquids. In a preferred
embodiment, vent cover 19 may be a hydrophobic fabric material.
Together, liquid packet carrier 14, liquid packets 48, and vent
covers 19 form packet assembly 76.
[0040] A powder assembly 80 is disposed below and adjacent to cup
assembly 74 and packet assembly 76, as further disclosed below.
Powder container 80 includes a top surface 82 and a bottom surface
84, and optionally includes a side surface 86, together defining an
internal cavity 88 (best shown in FIGS. 8 and 9) for containing a
solid material such as a chemically reactive material 90. In
another embodiment, edge 92 of top surface 82 may be joined
directly to edge 94 of bottom surface 84, forming a pillow-shaped
container 80. In a preferred embodiment, one or more surfaces of
powder container 80 is formed of a liquid-permeable material, such
as a screen, mesh, porous paper, etc.), a liquid soluble material,
or a liquid reactive material, such that liquid 54 will penetrate
into or through powder container 80 and contact the contents of
powder container 80.
[0041] As shown in FIG. 6, cup assembly 74 is coaxially disposed
within packet assembly 76. When assembled, cutting heads 64 are
positioned in between liquid packets 48, adjacent to open areas 56
of inner surface 50 of carrier side wall 16, such that rotation of
cup assembly 74 within packet assembly 76 causes cutting heads 64
to pierce, compress, rupture, or cut adjacent liquid packets
48.
[0042] Referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B, a heated container 100 is
shown. Heated container 100 includes an outer cup 102 and a cap 12,
the outer wall 102 having a generally cylindrical outer wall 104,
an outer closed end 106, and external gas vents 108. External gas
vents include a perforation in outer wall 104, thereby allowing the
passage of gas from the inside of outer cup 102 to the outside of
outer cup 102. Outer wall 104 may be further covered with, for
example, a printed sleeve or label (paper, plastic, cardboard,
etc., not shown) to display product marketing information and to
reduce thermal conductivity to the hand of a consumer.
[0043] Referring to FIGS. 8A-8B, cross-sectional views of the
heated container 100 are shown. Generally, heated container 100
includes a body wall, and in the embodiment shown, the body wall of
the container is formed from an outer container, shown outer cup
102, and from inner cup 24. As noted above, outer cup 102 has a
sidewall, shown as wall 104, a bottom wall, shown as closed end 106
and an inner surface 114 that defines a cavity. Inner cup 24 is
received within the cavity of outer cup 102. Generally, a space 116
is defined between the outer surface of inner cup 24 and inner
surface 114 of outer cup 102. In other embodiments, the body wall
of container 100 may be one integral structure or inner and outer
containers bonded together.
[0044] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8A, packet assembly 76 is
concentrically disposed within outer cup 102, and packet assembly
76 is affixed to the inner surface 114 of outer wall 104, thereby
rotationally locking packet assembly 76 within outer cup 102. In
this embodiment, liquid packets 48 are positioned within space 116
and are in thermal communication with inner cup 24. Packet assembly
may be mechanically coupled to outer cup 102 via a coupling such as
a press-fit, friction-fit, etc. In other embodiments, packet
assembly 76 may be adhered (glued, welded, etc.) to the inner
surface 114 of outer cup 102. Alternatively, liquid packets 48 may
be disposed directly onto the inner surface 114 of outer wall 104.
In yet another embodiment, liquid packet carrier 14 and liquid
packets 48 may be integrally formed from two layers of a film or
foil, the film or foil layers having discreet liquid volumes
therebetween, and the film or foil coupled to the inner surface 114
of outer wall 104.
[0045] Heated container 100 further includes an outer top end 110
formed at the upper end of the sidewall of outer cup 102. Outer top
end 110 includes a bead engagement ring 112. Cup assembly 74,
including joined inner cup 24 and cap 12, is concentrically
disposed within packet assembly 76 and outer cup 102, such that
outer top end 110 of outer cup 102 is slidably received by annular
gap 37 of cap 12. When cap 12 is pressed on to outer cup 102, bead
engagement ring 112 is snappingly received by circumferential bead
41, thereby securing assembly 74 within the combined packet
assembly 76 and outer cup 102. Annular gap 37 may be further
provided with a friction mechanism (detent, breakaway tab, ratchet,
etc., not shown) configured to engage outer top end 110 to restrict
rotation movement of cap 12 relative to outer cup 102 prior to user
activation of heated container 100.
[0046] In the embodiment shown, liquid packet carrier 14 is located
inside the cavity of outer cup 102 within space 116. In this
embodiment, cylindrical cup wall 26 of inner cup 24 has an outer
surface that opposes both the inner surface of outer cup 102 and
the inner surface of carrier side wall 16 of liquid packet carrier
14. Packet assembly 76 is oriented within outer cup 102 such that
vents 18 are aligned with external gas vents 108, thereby
permitting gasses generated in annular space 116 to escape to the
exterior of outer cup 102. Further, the cutting surface or
structure of cutter 46 is located within space 116 in a position
configured to pierce exterior shell 52 upon manipulation by the
user.
[0047] Powder container 80 is disposed at the bottom of outer cup
102, adjacent to outer closed end 106. In another embodiment,
bottom outer wall 106 and a portion of outer side wall 104 adjacent
thereto receives a quantity of chemically reactive material 90, and
a foil seal 120 is placed between chemically reactive material 90
and cutter 46. In such an embodiment, rotation of cup assembly 74
relative to outer cup 102 compresses, ruptures, and/or cuts both
liquid packets 48 and rips foil seal 120, thereby permitting liquid
54 and chemically reactive material 90 to intermix. In this
embodiment, mixture of material 90 and liquid 54 generates heat
which in turn heats the food held within the contents cavity on the
container. In another embodiment, container 100 may not include
material 90, and in this embodiment, liquid 54 undergoes an
exothermic reaction upon exposure to air.
[0048] As noted above, heated container 100 includes an activation
element or activator that is manipulated by the user to trigger
heat generation by the chemical heat source. In the embodiment
shown, to operate the heated container 100, a user applies a
physical force or moment force to cap 12 relative to outer cup 102,
thereby causing cup assembly 74 (i.e., cap 12, inner cup 24, cutter
46) to rotate around the longitudinal axis of heated container 100.
In the assembled configuration shown, when viewed from the top of
heated container 100, a clockwise rotation of cap 12 relative to
outer cup 102 will cause rotation of cutter 46 within space 116 and
cause sloped surface 66 and leading edge 68 of cutter 46 to cut
into liquid packets 48. Rotation of cup assembly 74 relative to
outer cup 102 and packet assembly 76 causes cutting heads 64 to
pierce, compress, rupture, and/or cut adjacent liquid packets 48,
thereby intermixing liquid contents 54 of liquid packets 48 and the
chemically reactive material 90 of powder container 80. In another
embodiment, the activator may be a spring-loaded cutting structure,
and the user applies a physical force to release the spring, which
in turn drives the cutting structure to pierce the adjacent liquid
packet 48.
[0049] The mixture of liquid 54 and chemically reactive material 90
causes an exothermic reaction, thereby generating heat and warming
the contents 8 of inner cup 24. If the exothermic reaction produces
excess heat and/or pressure, steam or other gaseous reaction
products are vented from annular space 116 to the outside of outer
cup 102 through aligned vents 18, 108. Vent cover 19 permits
pressurized steam and/or gaseous reaction products to escape heated
container 100, while restricting the passage of liquids (liquid
packet contents 54 or reaction products) through vents 18, 108.
[0050] In some embodiments, the exothermic reaction of liquid 54
and chemically reactive material 90 may produce an amount of heat
in excess of that required to warm the contents of beverage volume
8. To help heat the contents of the container 100 to the proper
temperature, container 100 includes a deactivator, shown as wax
ring 44, that is configured to decrease heat production when a
threshold temperature is reached.
[0051] As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, wax ring 44 divides space 116
into an upper section and lower section with liquid packets 48
positioned in the lower section. As the inner cup 24 and annular
space 116 are warmed, heat is transferred to wax ring 44, thereby
softening and melting wax ring 44 at a variable temperature
determined by the properties of the wax material and an additive to
the wax material, if present. When wax ring 44 is partially or
completely melted, wax ring 44 disengages from or drops off and
away from side wall 26 of inner cup 24 and into the exothermic
reaction mixture of liquid 54 and chemically reactive material 90
located adjacent to closed bottom end 106, thereby allowing the
quenching material of wax ring 44 to moderate or quench the
exothermic reaction. In some embodiments, wax ring 44 may be
impregnated with additional chemical reactants having a moderating
or quenching effect on the exothermic reaction mixture. In another
embodiment, the quenching material may be located in the upper
section above wax ring 44, and the quenching material is released
to mix with the heating chemicals upon melting of wax ring 44.
[0052] Further modifications and alternative embodiments of various
aspects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the
art in view of this description. Accordingly, this description is
to be construed as illustrative only. The construction and
arrangements, shown in the various exemplary embodiments, are
illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments have been
described in detail in this disclosure, many modifications are
possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes
and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters,
mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations,
etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and
advantages of the subject matter described herein. Some elements
shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or
elements, the position of elements may be reversed or otherwise
varied, and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions
may be altered or varied. The order or sequence of any process or
method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative
embodiments. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and
omissions may also be made in the design, operating conditions and
arrangement of the various exemplary embodiments without departing
from the scope of the present invention.
[0053] For purposes of this disclosure, the term "coupled" means
the joining of two components directly or indirectly to one
another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in
nature. Such joining may be achieved with two members and any
additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single
unitary body with one another or with the two members or the two
members and any additional member being attached to one another.
Such joining may be permanent in nature or alternatively may be
removable or releasable in nature.
[0054] While the current application recites particular
combinations of features in the claims appended hereto, various
embodiments of the invention relate to any combination of any of
the features described herein whether or not such combination is
currently claimed, and any such combination of features may be
claimed in this or future applications. Any of the features,
elements, or components of any of the exemplary embodiments
discussed above may be used alone or in combination with any of the
features, elements, or components of any of the other embodiments
discussed above.
[0055] Containers discussed herein may include containers of any
style, shape, size, etc. For example, the containers discussed
herein may be shaped such that cross-sections taken perpendicular
to the longitudinal axis of the container are generally circular.
However, in other embodiments the sidewall of the containers
discussed herein may be shaped in a variety of ways (e.g., having
other non-polygonal cross-sections, as a rectangular prism, a
polygonal prism, any number of irregular shapes, etc.) as may be
desirable for different applications or aesthetic reasons. In
various embodiments, the sidewall of the container may include one
or more axially extending sidewall sections that are curved
radially inwardly or outwardly such that the diameter of the
container is different at different places along the axial length
of the container, and such curved sections may be smooth continuous
curved sections. In one embodiment, the container may be hourglass
shaped. The container may be of various sizes (e.g., 3 oz., 8 oz.,
12 oz., 15 oz., 28 oz, etc.) as desired for a particular
application.
[0056] The containers discussed herein may be used to hold various
edible food or beverage contents (e.g., food products, drink, pet
food, milk-based products, coffee beverages, etc.). It should be
understood that the phrase "food" used to describe various
embodiments of this disclosure may refer to dry food, moist food,
powder, liquid, beverage or any other drinkable or edible material,
regardless of nutritional value. In other embodiments, the
containers discussed herein may be used to hold non-perishable
materials or non-food materials.
* * * * *