U.S. patent application number 13/710281 was filed with the patent office on 2013-07-11 for self cooling container and a cooling device.
This patent application is currently assigned to CARLSBERG BREWERIES AlS. The applicant listed for this patent is CARLSBERG BREWERIES AlS. Invention is credited to Martin Gerth Andersen, Jan Norager Rasmussen, Steen Vesborg.
Application Number | 20130174581 13/710281 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48742954 |
Filed Date | 2013-07-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130174581 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rasmussen; Jan Norager ; et
al. |
July 11, 2013 |
SELF COOLING CONTAINER AND A COOLING DEVICE
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) ; Andersen; Martin Gerth; (Copenhagen,
DK) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
CARLSBERG BREWERIES AlS; |
Copenhagen V |
|
DK |
|
|
Assignee: |
CARLSBERG BREWERIES AlS
Copenhagen V
DK
|
Family ID: |
48742954 |
Appl. No.: |
13/710281 |
Filed: |
December 10, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13133609 |
Jul 11, 2011 |
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PCT/EP2009/066703 |
Dec 9, 2009 |
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13710281 |
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PCT/EP2011/059902 |
Jun 15, 2011 |
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13133609 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
62/4 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25D 5/02 20130101; F25D
2500/02 20130101; F25D 2331/803 20130101; F25D 2331/805
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
62/4 |
International
Class: |
F25D 5/02 20060101
F25D005/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 15, 2010 |
EP |
10166014.0 |
Oct 26, 2010 |
EP |
10388012.6 |
Claims
1-15. (canceled)
16. A container for storing a beverage, said container having a
container body and a closure and defining an inner chamber having a
chamber volume dimensioned to contain a specific volume of the
beverage, the container further comprising: 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 chamber volume, wherein the cooling device
comprises: at least first and second reactants separately contained
in the cooling device, the first and second reactants being capable
of reacting with one another in a non-reversible,
entropy-increasing reaction to produce a product in a
stoichiometric number at least a factor of 3 larger than the
stoichiometric number of the reactants, the reaction resulting a
heat reduction of the beverage of at least 50 Joules/ml within a
period of time of no more than 5 minutes; an outer cooling surface
located so as to contact the beverage in the inner chamber; and an
actuator operable for initiating the reaction between the first and
second reactants; wherein the inner chamber defines an inner top
half space and inner bottom half space, and wherein any point
within the top half space defines a maximum distance A of about 0.5
cm to about 2.0 cm to an adjacent point on the outer cooling
surface.
17. The container of claim 16, wherein any point within the bottom
half space defines the maximum distance A to an adjacent point on
the outer cooling surface.
18. The container of claim 16, wherein the inner chamber defines an
inner surface, and wherein the outer cooling surface defines an
area at least 3 times the area of the inner surface.
19. The container of claim 16, wherein the cooling device defines
an interior beverage space at least partly enclosed by the outer
cooling surface, wherein the interior beverage space defines a
transverse dimension between adjacent points of the outer surface,
and wherein the transverse dimension defines a maximum distance of
2 A.
20. The container of claim 16, wherein the outer surface of the
cooling device defines a top surface, a bottom surface, and a
substantially cylindrical surface enclosing the top and bottom
surfaces.
21. The container of claim 16, wherein the outer surface of the
cooling device defines a top surface, a bottom surface, and a
corrugated surface enclosing the top and bottom surfaces.
22. The container of claim 16, wherein the outer surface of the
cooling device defines a top surface, a bottom surface, and an
intermediate surface enclosing the top and bottom surfaces, and
wherein the intermediate surface has a shape selected from the
group consisting of an annular shape, a helical shape, a helicoid
shape, and a spiral-shape.
23. The container of claim 16, wherein the at least first and
second reactants are separated from one another by a water-soluble
membrane, and wherein the actuator includes a first actuator
chamber containing an aqueous liquid equivalent to the
beverage.
24. The container of claim 23, wherein the first actuator chamber
is flexible, deformable and separated from the water-soluble
membrane by a pressure-activated seal that is configured to be
ruptured in response to a pressure inside the first actuator
chamber above a specific high pressure
25. The container of claim 24, wherein the specific high pressure
is a pressure above atmospheric pressure.
26. The container of claim 23, wherein the first actuator chamber
is configured to withstand pressure variations while it is closed,
and wherein the actuator further includes a second actuator chamber
filled with a foam-generating material, the second actuator chamber
being located between the first actuator chamber and the
water-soluble membrane, and separated from the first actuator
chamber by a first pressure-activated seal, the second actuator
chamber being separated from the water-soluble membrane by at least
a second pressure-activated seal.
27. The container of claim 26, wherein the beverage is a carbonated
beverage, wherein the first actuator chamber contains a gasified
aqueous liquid equivalent to the carbonated beverage, and wherein
the reaction is initiated when the pressure-activated seal ruptures
in response to a decrease in pressure outside of said first
actuator chamber from an initial pressure above atmospheric
pressure to atmospheric pressure.
28. The container of claim 26, wherein said first actuator chamber
comprises a substantially rigid ampoule encapsulated within the
second actuator chamber.
29. The container claim 24, wherein the pressure-activated seal
comprises a plug of liquid metal.
30. The container of claim 29, wherein the liquid metal is selected
from the group consisting of one or both of gallium and indium.
31. The container of claim 23, wherein the water-soluble membrane
is configured in a layered structure.
32. The container of claim 23, wherein the water-soluble membrane
is configured in a honeycomb structure.
33. The of claim 23, wherein the water-soluble membrane is a
coating.
34. The container of claim 16, wherein the cooling device is made
at least partly of plastic foils.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application is a Continuation of co-pending
International Application No. PCT/EP2011/059902, filed Jun. 15,
2011, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
This application is also a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 13/133,609, filed Jun. 8, 2011,
entitled A SELF COOLING CONTAINER AND A COOLING DEVICE, which is a
national phase filing, under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.371(c), of
International Application No. PCT/EP2009/066703, filed Dec. 9,
2009, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference
in their entireties.
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. 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.
[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.
SUMMARY
[0008] An object 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.
[0009] 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.
[0010] The above objects together with numerous other objects which
will be evident from the below detailed description of preferred
embodiments of the cooling device according to the present
invention and are according to a first aspect of the present
invention obtained by 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,
[0011] the container 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,
[0012] 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,
[0013] 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 heat reduction of
the beverage of 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, 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
[0014] the cooling device further including an actuator for
initiating the reaction between the at least two separate,
substantially non-toxic reactants.
[0015] 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.
[0016] 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.
[0017] 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.
[0018] 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.
[0019] 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.
[0020] 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.
[0021] 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/de mosheets/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)
[0022] 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.
[0023] 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.
[0024] 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.
[0025] 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.
[0026] 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.
[0027] 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.
[0028] 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.
[0029] 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.ln 20/2.
[0030] 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.
[0031] 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.
[0032] 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.
[0033] 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.
[0034] 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.
[0035] 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.
[0036] 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.
[0037] 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.
Reactants
[0038] 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.
[0039] 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.
[0040] The reactants and products are substantially non-toxic.
[0041] 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.4C.sub.2H.sub.3O.sub.2 Ca.sub.3(PO.sub.4).sub.2
NH.sub.4NO.sub.3 CaSO.sub.4.cndot.2H.sub.20
(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 NaClO.sub.3 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
[0042] Further suitable reactants are the following:
NaAl(SO.sub.4).sub.2.12H.sub.2O
NH.sub.4Al(SO.sub.4).sub.2.12H.sub.2O
LiOHH.sub.2O
Na.sub.2SiO.sub.3
Na.sub.2SiO.sub.3.xH.sub.2O, 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
[0043] Additional reactants and sets of reactants are listed in the
below Table 1 and Table 2.
[0044] 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.
[0045] 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.
[0046] 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.
[0047] Suitable acid hydrates according to the invention are
organic acid hydrates such as citric acid monohydrate etc.
[0048] 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.
[0049] 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.6, 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.B, 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, (NH4)2Cr2O7 etc. Suitable anhydrous organic salts are
for example urea acetate, urea formate, urea nitrate and urea
oxalate etc.
[0050] 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.
[0051] 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.
[0052] The number of reactants participating in the reaction is at
least two. Some embodiments may use three or more reactants.
[0053] 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
[0054] 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
[0055] The negative sign indicates that the reaction is
spontaneous.
[0056] The stoichiometric number of products to reactants is
19/2=9.5:1
[0057] 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
[0058] .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
[0059] Thus this reaction is spontaneous. The stoichiometric number
of products to reactants is 23/2=11.5:1
[0060] 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
[0061] The reaction is spontaneous. The stoichiometric number of
products to reactants is 13/3=4.33:1
[0062] 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
[0063] 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.
[0064] 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.
[0065] 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.
[0066] 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.
[0067] 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.
[0068] 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.
[0069] 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.
[0070] For some reactions the liquid activator used to initiate the
reaction may also serve as a selective adsorption-controlling agent
to control the reaction.
[0071] 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.
[0072] 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.
[0073] 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
[0074] 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
[0075] 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
[0076] The end product is a white gel that smells slightly of
ammonia and which is completely safe.
[0077] 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
[0078] 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.
[0079] 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.
[0080] 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.
[0081] 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.
[0082] 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.
[0083] 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.
[0084] 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.
[0085] 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.
[0086] 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.
[0087] 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.
[0088] A problem in relation to the cooling of water based
beverages by including a cooling device in contact with the
beverage is the relatively low thermal conductivity and the
relatively high heat capacity of water. This means that water may
be considered to be a thermal insulator. Concerning carbonated
beverages the carbon dioxide gas bubbles generated in the beverage
will further reduce the thermal conductivity of the carbonated
beverage compared to a non-carbonated beverage. Thus, although the
cooling device is capable of cooling the beverage immediately
adjacent the cool walls of the cooling device, any beverage located
further away from the cooling device will remain warm. The main
cooling effect in a beverage container is provided by conductive
cooling and convective cooling. The convective cooling may be
increased in case the beverage container is shaken to allow the
cool beverage near the walls of the cooling device to be
substituted by warmer beverage further away from the cooling
device, however, shaking a beverage container containing carbonated
beverage is not advisable since it will generate excessive carbon
dioxide bubble formation within the beverage. The bubble formation
will apart from causing the beverage to erupt during opening of the
beverage container, further worsen the conducive cooling, since the
carbon dioxide bubbles are excellent thermal insulators. There is
therefore a need to improve the conductive cooling of carbonated
beverages using a cooling device.
[0089] It is therefore a further object of the present invention to
provide a cooling device capable of cooling the carbonated beverage
to an optimal serving temperature within a short time period.
[0090] The above objects together with numerous other objects which
will be evident from the below detailed description of preferred
embodiments of the cooling device according to the present
invention are according to a above aspect of the present invention
obtained by_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, [0091] the container 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, [0092] 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, [0093] 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 heat reduction of the beverage of 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,
within a period of time of no more than 5 min. preferably no more
than 3 min., more preferably no more than 2 min., [0094] the
cooling device defining an outer cooling surface contacting the
beverage and further including an actuator for initiating the
reaction between the at least two separate, substantially non-toxic
reactants, and [0095] the inner chamber defining an inner top half
space containing beverage and an inner bottom half space containing
beverage, any point within the top half space defining a maximum
distance A to an adjacent point on the outer cooling surface, the
maximum distance A being of the order of 0.5 cm-2.0 cm, such as 0.5
cm-1.5 cm, preferably approximately 1.0 cm.
[0096] The applicant has surprisingly found out that the conductive
cooling within the beverage may be improved by reforming the outer
surface of the cooling device. At the same time, the convective
cooling plays a minor role due to the small volume of the beverage
container. The temperature of the outer cooling surface will sink
rapidly to a temperature only slightly above freezing just after
activation of the cooling device. The beverage located adjacent the
outer cooling surface of the cooling device will therefore assume a
low temperature quickly. The heat transfer between the cool
beverage adjacent the outer cooling surface of the cooling device
and the beverage located furthest away in relation to the outer
cooling surface is considerably slower and is determined by the
temperature gradient. In order to maximize the heat transfer the
temperature gradient should be maximized as well. The temperature
gradient may be maximized by minimizing the distance between the
outer cooling surface of the cooling device and the beverage
located furthest away in relation to the outer cooling surface.
Various shapes of the outer cooling surface, such as the shapes
described herein, may be contemplated in order to achieve a small
distance between the outer cooling surface of the cooling device
and the beverage located furthest away in relation to the outer
cooling surface, however, much material will be required and the
dispensing or pouring behaviour of the beverage will be influenced
by the additional flow resistance caused by the outer cooling
contact surface. The flow resistance may e.g. cause significantly
slower pouring of the beverage or may even cause some beverage to
be trapped within the outer surface and remain inside the beverage
container. Such beverage will be lost for the consumer.
[0097] The applicant has thereby determined by conducting
laboratory experiments that a maximum distance between any point
within the top half space to an adjacent point on the outer cooling
surface should be of the order of 0.5 cm-2.0 cm to achieve a quick
cooling and at the same time allow a suitable dispensing behaviour
of the complete beverage in the beverage container.
[0098] Further, the convective heat transfer may be improved
without the need to shake the beverage container by locating the
cooling device near the top of the beverage container. In this way
the beverage near the top of the beverage container, i.e. in the
upper half space of the beverage container, will be slightly cooler
than the beverage near the bottom of the beverage container, i.e.
in the bottom half space of the beverage container. As cool
beverage has a higher density than warm beverage, the cool beverage
at the top will sink towards the bottom, substituting the warm
beverage at the bottom, which warm beverage will rise towards the
top of the beverage container. Top and bottom should in the present
context be understood in relation to the normal resting position of
the beverage container, e.g. for typical beverage containers such
as cans having the top near the opening of the beverage container.
Having the cooling device near the opening of the beverage
container has the additional benefit of further cooling the
beverage which is about to be consumed or dispensed.
[0099] According to a further embodiment of the above aspect of the
present invention, any point within the bottom half space defining
the maximum distance A to an adjacent point on the outer cooling
surface, or, preferably, wherein any point within the inner chamber
defining the maximum distance A to an adjacent point on the outer
cooling surface. Since the convective cooling plays a minor role in
the cooling of the beverage, the outer cooling surface of the
cooling device may extend into the lower half space of the beverage
container as well for improving the conductive cooling in the
complete beverage container. Preferably, the outer cooling surface
of the cooling device extends outside the beverage space, such as
into the head space, in order to improve the conductive cooling of
the beverage also when the beverage container is stored in an
arbitrary position or orientation different from the normal
vertical orientation, such as when the beverage container is stored
in a horizontal position.
[0100] According to a further embodiment of the above aspect of the
present invention, the inner chamber defines an inner surface, the
outer cooling surface defining an area being at least 3 times the
area of the inner surface, preferably at least 4 times the area of
the inner surface, such as 5 times the area of the inner surface.
The conductive cooling may be increased significantly by increasing
the area of the outer cooling surface in relation to the inner
surface of the inner chamber of the beverage container. The inner
surface defines the volume of the inner chamber and thereby the
amount of beverage to be cooled.
[0101] According to a further embodiment of the above aspect of the
present invention, the cooling device defining an interior beverage
space at least partly enclosed by the outer cooling surface, the
interior beverage space defining a transversal dimension between
adjacent points of the outer surface, the transversal dimension
defining a maximum distance of 2 A. It is contemplated that the
cooling device may comprise holes or gaps defining interior
beverage spaces. The distance between opposing wall parts of such
interior beverage spaces should be such that the distance between
adjacent or opposing points on the outer surface should not exceed
2 A, i.e. should be in the order of 1.0 cm-4.0 cm, such as 1.0
cm-3.0 cm, preferably approximately 2.0 cm. In this way be above
maximum distance is fulfilled and the temperature gradient is kept
high.
[0102] According to a further embodiment of the above aspect of the
present invention, the outer surface of the cooling device defines
a top surface, a bottom surface and a substantially cylindrical
surface enclosing the top and bottom surfaces. A cylindrical
surface may be preferred due to the simple manufacturing of such
surfaces. A cylindrical surface may e.g. be manufactured from a
flat cooling device by joining opposing edges to form a tube.
[0103] According to a further embodiment of the above aspect of the
present invention, the outer surface of the cooling device defines
a top surface, a bottom surface and a corrugated surface enclosing
the top and bottom surfaces. A corrugated surface, such as a
surface having a star shape, will yield a larger outer cooling
surface compared to a cylindrical surface. Such corrugated surfaces
may be manufactured by folding a flat cooling device.
[0104] According to a further embodiment of the above aspect of the
present invention, the outer surface of the cooling device defines
a top surface, a bottom surface and an intermediate surface
enclosing the top and bottom surfaces, the intermediate surface
having an annular shape, a helical shape, a helicoid shape or a
spiral-shape. Further shapes may have an even larger outer contact
cooling surface, however, the manufacturing of such cooling devices
may involve some more steps compared to the earlier embodiments. In
particular, the last three shapes above involve 3D shaping of the
cooling device.
[0105] According to a further embodiment of the above aspect of the
present invention, the at least two separate substantially
non-toxic reactants initially being included in the cooling device
are separated from one another by a water soluble membrane and the
actuator including a first actuator chamber being filled by water
or an aqueous solution equivalent to the beverage. Water is
preferred as a constituent of the actuator, since water is
non-toxic and cheap. Water will also aid in the mixing of the
reactants after activation and thereby allow the reaction to start
more quickly than it would without water. Water is also produced as
a reaction products of several of the entropy increasing reactions
presented herein, and any part of the water soluble membrane not
dissolved by the water of the actuator will at least be dissolved
by the water being produced as reaction product. The first actuator
chamber should initially be separated from the water soluble
membrane and from the reactants. The water soluble membrane should
be rigid when kept dry and deteriorates when contacting water and
may be e.g. starch. Further embodiments are described in the
detailed description.
[0106] According to a further embodiment of the above aspect of the
present invention, the first actuator chamber is flexible,
deformable and separated from the water soluble membrane by a
pressure activated seal, the cooling device initially being kept at
a low pressure and the reaction being initiated when the pressure
activated seal being ruptured when the pressure inside the first
actuator chamber is increased above a specific high pressure, the
low pressure typically being atmospheric pressure or below, the
specific high pressure typically being atmospheric pressure or
above. The present embodiment is preferred for manual activation,
i.e. when the water of the first actuator chamber is being forced
into contact with the water soluble membrane by compressing the
first actuator chamber. Alternatively, the present embodiment may
be used in connection with vacuum containers, which when being
opened will be subjected to an increased pressure. Pressure
activated seals open when the pressure difference across the seal
exceeds a specific value.
[0107] According to a further embodiment of the above aspect of the
present invention, the first actuator chamber is capable of
withstanding pressure variations while the first actuator chamber
is closed, the actuator further including a second actuator chamber
being filled with a foam generating material, the second actuator
chamber being located between the first actuator chamber and the
water soluble membrane and separated from the first actuator
chamber by a pressure activated seal, the second actuator chamber
preferably being separated from the water soluble membrane by one
or more pressure activated seals. Capable of withstanding pressure
variations should be interpreted to mean that the pressure
activated seal should open before any significant deformation of
the first actuator chamber occurs. The foam generator allows the
water to reach the water soluble membrane independently of the
orientation of the actuator since the foam will fill the complete
first and second actuator chambers and propagate towards the water
soluble membrane. The foam is aqueous and will thus dissolve the
water soluble membrane. Preferably, a weaker pressure activated
seal is used between the foam generator and the water soluble
membrane, which seal will break at least by the pressure generated
by the foam.
[0108] According to a further embodiment of the above aspect of the
present invention, the beverage is a carbonated beverage and the
first actuator chamber is filled by gasified water or a gasified
aqueous solution equivalent to the beverage, typically constituting
carbonated water, the cooling device initially being kept at a high
pressure and the reaction being initiated when the pressure
activated seal being ruptured when the pressure outside of the
first actuator chamber is decreased below a specific low pressure,
the high pressure typically being the pressure of the carbonated
beverage such as 2-3 bars whereas the specific low pressure
typically being atmospheric pressure. The present embodiment is
preferred for automatic activation when opening containers
containing carbonated beverage, i.e. when the water of the first
actuator chamber is being forced into contact with the water
soluble membrane by releasing a pressure initially subjected to the
first actuator chamber. Gasified water, and in particular
carbonated water having the same carbonisation as the beverage,
will respond to temperature variation in a similar way as the
beverage. In this way it is avoided that the actuator is activated
by temperature variations. When the beverage container is opened
the pressure inside the container decreases while the pressure
inside the first actuator chamber remains constant, thus causing
the pressure activated seal to open.
[0109] According to a further embodiment of the above aspect of the
present invention, the first actuator chamber comprises a
substantially rigid ampoule being encapsulated within the second
actuator chamber. The first actuator chamber may preferably be a
substantially rigid ampoule being capable of withstanding pressure
variations and which ampoule is completely contained within the
second actuator chamber. The ampoule may e.g. be made of thin
glass.
[0110] According to a further embodiment of the above aspect of the
present invention, the pressure activated seal comprises a burst
membrane or alternatively a plug, advantageously a plug of liquid
metal such as alloys including Gallium and/or Indium. A small plug
of Gallium and/or Indium alloys may be used to ensure a proper seal
between the first and second actuator chambers.
[0111] According to a further embodiment of the above aspect of the
present invention, the water soluble membrane is configured in a
layered structure or alternatively in a honeycomb structure or yet
alternatively as a coating. It may be preferred to arrange the
reactants in an pre-mixed configuration in order for the entropy
increasing reaction to start quicker.
[0112] According to a further embodiment of the above aspect of the
present invention, the cooling device is manufactured at least
partly of plastic foils. It is currently preferred to make the
cooling device at least partly of plastic foils, preferably
laminated plastic foils. In this way the cooling device may be
deformed in order to achieve a suitable outer cooling surface
fitting within the beverage container.
[0113] The above objects together with numerous other objects which
will be evident from the below detailed description of preferred
embodiments of the cooling device according to the present
invention are according to a first aspect of the present invention
obtained by a cooling device, preferably a cooling bag, cooling rod
or cooling container, [0114] 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, [0115] 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 heat reduction, and [0116] the cooling device further
including an actuator for initiating the reaction between the at
least two separate, substantially non-toxic reactants.
[0117] It is contemplated that the above cooling device may be
provided as a stand-alone part which may be used as a cooling bag
or cooling stick for cooling a variety of different objects, some
of which are mentioned in the appending points. Such cooling bag
may constitute an alternative to the use of ice cubes, since the
cooling efficiency of the cooling device will be approximately that
of ice.
[0118] The above objects together with numerous other objects which
will be evident from the below detailed description of preferred
embodiments of the cooling device according to the present
invention are according to a further aspect of the present
invention obtained by a method of producing a cooling device
according to any of the points 52-78 including the steps of
arranging: [0119] a first foil, [0120] a second foil located
opposite the first foil, [0121] a water soluble membrane between
the first and second foils [0122] a first reactant between the
first foil and the water soluble membrane, [0123] a second reactant
between the water soluble membrane and the second foil, and [0124]
a first water-filled actuator chamber located in the vicinity of
the water soluble membrane.
[0125] It is contemplated that the above method may be used to
produce the cooling device according to the present invention in a
continuous process. It is understood by the skilled person that the
above method may be varied according to the specific embodiments
described below.
[0126] The above objects together with numerous other objects which
will be evident from the below detailed description of preferred
embodiments of the cooling device according to the present
invention are according to a further aspect of the present
invention obtained by a cooling device, preferably a cooling bag,
cooling rod or cooling container, [0127] said cooling device
including at least two 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 said reactants, said at least two
substantially non-toxic reactants initially being included in said
cooling device and causing a heat reduction when reacting with one
another in said non-reversible, entropy-increasing reaction, said
cooling device further including an actuator for initiating said
reaction between said at least two separate, substantially
non-toxic reactants, said actuator comprising: [0128] an outer
chamber including an chemical activator capable of initiating said
reaction and being separated from said at least two substantially
non-toxic reactants by a first membrane, and [0129] an inner
chamber including a constituent capable of elevating the pressure
of said chemical activator, said inner chamber being separated from
said outer chamber by a second membrane, said cooling device being
capable of assuming: [0130] a non-armed state in which both said
first membrane and said second membrane are non-ruptured for
preventing any contact between said chemical activator and said
reactants, and, between said constituent and said chemical
activator, [0131] an armed state in which said first membrane is
non-ruptured for preventing any contact between said chemical
activator and said reactants while said second membrane is ruptured
for allowing said constituent and said chemical activator to react
and raise the pressure of said chemical activator, and [0132] an
activated state in which both said first membrane and said second
membrane are ruptured for allowing said chemical activator and said
reactants to react with one another in said non-reversible,
entropy-increasing reaction.
[0133] The above cooling device is capable of assuming three stages
with a two step activation procedure being a non-armed state, an
armed state and an activated state. Initially, the cooling device
is assuming the non-armed state. In the non-armed state the cooling
device may be handled in the normal working environment, i.e. about
20 degrees centigrade at atmospheric pressure, without being
activated. In this way the cooling device may be manufactured at a
remote location and shipped to the location in which it is to be
installed, e.g. the brewery. During installation of the cooling
device in a beverage container, e.g. in connection with flushing,
filling, pasteurizing or any other activity being carried out after
or just before capping of the beverage container, the cooling
device is armed by rupturing the second membrane such that the
chemical activator is pressurized, e.g. by a sudden increase in
pressure. The pressurising of the chemical activator is preferably
a slow chemical reaction such that a premature activation is
avoided. Preferably, the chemical activator constitutes water and
the constituent constitutes bicarbonate and citric acid, such that
after arming the outer chamber is filled with carbonated water
having the same or slightly lower pressure compared to the
beverage. It is understood that the same result is achieved by
having one of bicarbonate and citric acid already mixed with the
water in the outer chamber. When the beverage container is opened,
the pressure outside the outer chamber will fall, and the first
membrane of the outer chamber will rupture to release the chemical
activator, e.g. water, into the reactants which will start the
entropy-increasing reaction.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0134] 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:
[0135] 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.
[0136] FIG. 1C illustrates a close-up view of the self-cooling
beverage container in the activated state as shown in FIG. 1B.
[0137] 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.
[0138] FIG. 3A illustrates a self-cooling container having a
cooling device with a soluble plug.
[0139] 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.
[0140] FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate a self-cooling container having a
cooling device with a pierceable membrane in the pre-activated and
activated states, respectively.
[0141] 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.
[0142] 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.
[0143] 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.
[0144] 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.
[0145] 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.
[0146] FIG. 9C illustrates the self-cooling beverage container of
FIG. 9A further comprising a gripping member.
[0147] FIGS. 9D and 9E show close-up views of the gripping member
of FIG. 9C in the pre-activated and activated states,
respectively.
[0148] 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.
[0149] 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.
[0150] FIGS. 12A and 12B illustrate a self-cooling beverage
container having a cooling device with a pierceable membrane and a
rupturable membrane in the pre-activated and activated states,
respectively.
[0151] 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.
[0152] 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.
[0153] 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.
[0154] FIG. 16A shows a cooling box having a rectangular shape and
including a cooling device having a can shape in an unassembled
state.
[0155] FIG. 16B shows a top view of the cooling box of FIG. 16A in
an assembled state;
[0156] FIG. 17A shows a cooling box having a round shape including
a centrally located cooling device in the unassembled state.
[0157] FIGS. 17B and 17C show a perspective view and a top view,
respectively, of the cooling box of FIG. 17A.
[0158] FIGS. 18A-F show the filling process of a self-cooling
beverage container having a cooling device mounted in the
container.
[0159] FIGS. 19A-F show the filling process of a self-cooling
beverage container having a cooling device constituting a
widget.
[0160] FIGS. 20A-F show a filling process of a self-cooling
beverage container having a lid mounted cooling device.
[0161] FIGS. 21A and 21B show a self-cooling party keg system in
the pre-activated and activated states, respectively.
[0162] 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.
[0163] FIGS. 23A and 23B show a beverage dispensing system having a
beverage keg having a cooling device with a pierceable membrane in
the pre-activated and activated states, respectively.
[0164] FIG. 24 shows a beverage bottle having a button activatable
cooling device.
[0165] FIG. 25 shows a beverage bottle having a pressure activated
cooling device.
[0166] 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.
[0167] 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.
[0168] FIG. 27C shows the drink stick of the cooling device of FIG.
27B after activation.
[0169] FIG. 27D shows the drink stick of FIG. 27C inserted into a
bottle.
[0170] FIGS. 28A and 28B show a bottle sleeve to be mounted on the
neck of a beverage bottle.
[0171] FIG. 28C is a perspective view of the bottle sleeve of FIGS.
28A and 28B mounted on the neck of the beverage bottle.
[0172] 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.
[0173] FIG. 29C is a perspective view of the bottle sleeve of FIGS.
29A and 29B.
[0174] FIG. 29D shows the bottle sleeve of FIG. 29C being attached
to the beverage bottle.
[0175] FIG. 30 shows a reaction crystal having a selective
adsorbent inhibiting growth at the corners.
[0176] FIG. 31 is a dispensing and refrigerator system for
accommodating a plurality of beverage cans.
[0177] FIG. 32 is a refrigerator system for accommodating a
plurality of beverage cans.
[0178] FIGS. 33A and 33B are schematic drawings of a first cooling
device according to the present invention before and after
activation.
[0179] FIGS. 34A and 34B are schematic drawings of a second cooling
device according to the present invention before and after
activation.
[0180] FIGS. 35A and 35B are schematic drawings of a third cooling
device according to the present invention before and after
activation.
[0181] FIGS. 36A and 36B are schematic drawings of a fourth cooling
device according to the present invention before and after
activation.
[0182] FIGS. 37A and 37B show a cooling device according to the
present invention being mounted inside a beverage container.
[0183] FIGS. 38A-D show alternative outer cooling surfaces of a
cooling device according to the present invention.
[0184] FIG. 39 shows a further outer cooling surface of a cooling
device according to the present invention.
[0185] FIG. 40 shows yet a further outer cooling surface of a
cooling device according to the present invention.
[0186] FIG. 41A is an exploded view of a cooling device having a
cooling device holder.
[0187] FIG. 41B is a perspective view of the cooling device of FIG.
41A.
[0188] FIG. 41C is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C of
FIG. 41A.
[0189] FIG. 41D is a cross-sectional view taken along line D-D of
FIG. 41A.
[0190] FIG. 41E shows another embodiment of a cooling device.
[0191] FIG. 41F is an enlarged, detailed view of a portion of the
cooling device of FIG. 41E.
[0192] FIG. 41G is an enlarged, detailed view of a portion of a
further embodiment of a cooling device.
[0193] FIGS. 42A-F is a series of drawings showing the filling of a
beverage container according to the present invention.
[0194] FIG. 43A is a perspective view of a cooling device as shown
in FIG. 33, showing the cooling device during manufacture.
[0195] FIG. 43B is a cut-out side view of the cooling device of
FIG. 43A in a non-activated state.
[0196] FIG. 43C is a cut-out side view of the cooling device of
FIG. 43A in an activated state.
[0197] FIG. 44A is a perspective view of a cooling device as shown
in FIG. 34, showing the cooling device during manufacture.
[0198] FIG. 44B is a side cut-out view of the cooling device of
FIG. 44A in a non-activated state.
[0199] FIG. 44C is a side cut-out view of the cooling device of
FIG. 44A in an activated state.
[0200] FIG. 45A is a perspective view of a cooling device as shown
in FIG. 35, showing the cooling device during manufacture.
[0201] FIG. 45B is a side cut-out view of the cooling device of
FIG. 45A in a non-activated state.
[0202] FIG. 45C is a side cut-out view of the cooling device of
FIG. 45A in an activated state.
[0203] FIG. 46A is a perspective view of a cooling device as shown
in FIG. 36, showing the cooling device during manufacture.
[0204] FIG. 46B is a side cut-out view of the cooling device of
FIG. 46A in a non-activated state.
[0205] FIG. 46C is a side cut-out view of the cooling device of
FIG. 46A in an activated state.
[0206] FIG. 47 is a simplified perspective view of a manufacturing
plant for manufacturing a cooling device as shown in FIGS.
43A-C.
[0207] FIG. 48 is a simplified perspective view of a further
manufacturing plant for manufacturing a cooling device as shown in
FIGS. 43A-C.
[0208] FIG. 49A is a perspective view of a cooling device as shown
in FIG. 43, wherein the cooling device is moulded to form a blister
pack.
[0209] FIG. 49B is a side cut-out view of the cooling device of
FIG. 49A in a non-activated state.
[0210] FIG. 49C is a side cut-out view of the cooling device of
FIG. 49A in an activated state.
[0211] FIGS. 50A-D show the operation of a further embodiment of a
cooling device.
[0212] FIGS. 51A-F show the flushing, filling, capping and
pasteurization of a can including a cooling device.
[0213] FIGS. 52A-C show the folding of a set of cooling
devices.
[0214] FIGS. 53A-C show the folding of a further set of cooling
devices.
[0215] FIGS. 54A-C show the folding of yet a further set of cooling
devices.
[0216] FIG. 55 shows a manufacturing plant for manufacturing of a
cooling device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0217] The figures illustrate numerous exemplary embodiments of a
cooling device according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0218] 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 maybe 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.
[0219] 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.
[0220] 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.
[0221] 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.
[0222] 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.
[0223] 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.
[0224] 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.
[0225] The reactant B and C may initially react and produce a
reaction product which is pacified by reacting with reactant A.
[0226] 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.
[0227] 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.
[0228] 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.
[0229] 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.
[0230] 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.
[0231] 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.
[0232] 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
subatmospheric pressure results in the main reactant chamber 28'
and causes 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.
[0233] 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'.
[0234] 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.
[0235] 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'.
[0236] 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.
[0237] 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.
[0238] 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'.
[0239] 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.
[0240] 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.
[0241] 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'.
[0242] 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.
[0243] 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.
[0244] The gripping member 83 and the separation element 84 are
preferably made of substantially rigid plastics. The gripping
member 83 comprise gripping elements which may interlock with
corresponding beads on the separation element 83.
[0245] 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.
[0246] 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.
[0247] 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.
[0248] 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.
[0249] 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.
[0250] 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.
[0251] 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.
[0252] 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''.
[0253] 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.
[0254] 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.
[0255] 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''.
[0256] 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.
[0257] 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'''. 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.
[0258] 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.
[0259] 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'.
[0260] FIGS. 17B and 17C show a perspective view and a top view,
respectively, of the self-cooling container 10.sup.XVII of FIG.
17A.
[0261] 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.
[0262] 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.
[0263] 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.
[0264] 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.
[0265] 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.
[0266] 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.
[0267] 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.
[0268] 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.
[0269] 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.
[0270] 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.
[0271] 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.
[0272] 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. 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.
[0273] 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.
[0274] 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.
[0275] 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.
[0276] 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.
[0277] 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.
[0278] 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.
[0279] 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.
[0280] 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.
[0281] 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.
[0282] 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.
[0283] 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.
[0284] 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.
[0285] 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.
[0286] 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.
[0287] FIG. 28C shows a perspective view of a bottle 164 with an
attached bottle sleeve 188.
[0288] 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.
[0289] 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.
[0290] FIG. 29C shows the wine cooler 192 in a perspective
view.
[0291] 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.
[0292] 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.
[0293] 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.
[0294] A variant of the cooling device may be activated by pulling
a string connected to a mixing member through the cooling
device.
[0295] 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.
[0296] The cooling device shaped so as to be mountable around a
tapping line for cooling beverage running through the tapping
line.
[0297] The cooling device may have a breakable seal to avoid
accidental activation.
[0298] 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.
[0299] 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.
[0300] 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.
[0301] 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.
[0302] 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.
[0303] 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.
[0304] 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.
[0305] 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.
[0306] 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.
[0307] The following FIGS. 33-48 show some particular advantageous
embodiments according to the present invention:
[0308] FIG. 33A shows a schematic view of a cooling device
300.sup.I according to the present invention. The cooling device
300.sup.I comprises a first reactant chamber 302 which is filled
with a first reactant 304. The cooling device 300.sup.I further
comprises a second reactant chamber 306 located adjacent the first
reactant chamber 302. The second reactant chamber 306 is filled by
a second reactant 308. The first reactant 304 and the second
reactant 308 should be capable of reacting with one another in a
non-reversible, entropy increasing reaction as previously
described, which reaction is an endothermic reaction which will
draw energy from the surroundings. The reactants 304, 308 are
provided in the form of granulates. Optionally, an anti-caking
agent may be included in order to prevent the reactants from
sticking together and a bitter taste compound in order for the user
to detect any accidental leakage of reactants into the beverage.
The first reactant chamber 302 and the second reactant chamber 306
are separated by a water soluble membrane 310. The water soluble
membrane 310 is constituted by a film of a material which will
dissolve when subjected to water or aqueous solutions such as
beverage. The water soluble membrane may comprise e.g. starch,
water soluble metal soaps such as LiC17H35COO and Zn(C17H35COO)2,
shellac, salt, or similar. The water soluble membrane 310 will as
long it is not subjected to water prevent the reactants 304, 308
from reacting. The cooling device 300.sup.I should have a flat and
elongated shape such that the first reactant chamber 302 and the
second reactant chamber 306 are having a large contacting surface
separated by the water soluble membrane 310. The walls of the first
reactant chamber 302 and the second reactant chamber 306 should be
flexible, i.e. capable of transmitting pressure variations by
deforming. Preferably, the whole cooling device is encapsulated
within a barrier layer, such as a CO2 barrier.
[0309] The cooling device.sup.I further comprises an actuator 312.
The actuator 312 comprises a first actuator chamber 314 and a
second actuator chamber 318. The walls of the first actuator
chamber 314 should be non-flexible, i.e. capable of withstanding
pressure variations generated by temperature variations without
deforming. The first actuator chamber 314 is filled with carbonated
water 316 having a carbonization level corresponding to the
carbonization of the beverage inside the beverage container. The
beverage is consequently a carbonate beverage such as beer, soda,
cola, tonic or the like. The pressure inside the first actuator
chamber 314 should correspond to the pressure inside the filled and
sealed beverage container together with which the cooling device
300.sup.I is to be used. The pressure inside the first actuator
chamber 314 therefore is about 2-3 bar in room temperature. The
first actuator chamber 314 is located adjacent the second actuator
chamber 318. The second actuator chamber 318 is separated from the
first actuator chamber 314 by a burst membrane 322. The burst
membrane 322 may be a film of plastic or metal which is intended to
break or rupture when the pressure difference across the membrane
exceeds a predetermined value. The second actuator chamber is
filled by a foam generator 320. The foam generator 320 is
preferably provided in the form of a granulate. The foam generator
320 should be a substance which when mixed with water generates a
substantial amount of aqueous foam. Example of such material is
NaC.sub.12H.sub.23SO.sub.4. Further examples are
NaC.sub.12H.sub.23SO.sub.3 and
NaC.sub.12H.sub.23C.sub.6H.sub.4SO.sub.3. The first actuator
chamber 314 and the second actuator chamber 318 have the same
elevated pressure. The carbonate water 316 should be in equilibrium
with the beverage. The second reactant chamber 306 is located
adjacent the first reactant chamber 302 and the second reactant
chamber 308. The second actuator chamber 318 further comprises an
optional separation membrane 324 which is located adjacent the
water soluble membrane 310. The separation membrane 324 separates
the second actuator chamber 318 and the first and second reactant
chambers 302, 306 and thereby prevents any mixing of the reactants
304, 308 and the foam generator 320. The separation membrane 324 is
a burst membrane which may be weaker than the above-mentioned burst
membrane 322. In alternative embodiments the separation membrane
324 is a water soluble membrane similar to the water soluble
membrane 310. It is contemplated that in some embodiments the water
soluble membrane 310 and the separation membrane 324 may be
constituted by a single common water soluble membrane.
[0310] The cooling device 300.sup.I shown in FIG. 33A is in a
non-activated state when it is subjected to an outside pressure
equal to the pressure of the carbonate water 316. The outside
pressure_may e.g. be the pressure inside a beverage container (now
shown) which is here illustrated by the inwardly arrows. The
outside pressure is transmitted to the burst membrane 322 either by
the burst membrane 324 or by a flexible part of the second actuator
chamber 318.
[0311] FIG. 33B shows the cooling device 300.sup.I of FIG. 33A when
the outside pressure has been removed: The outside pressure may be
removed e.g. when the beverage container is being opened. When the
outside pressure is removed, i.e. when the cooling device 300.sup.I
is subjected to the ambient pressure of the atmosphere, the
pressure within the carbonate water 316 will cause the burst
membrane 322 to rupture. Additionally, the optional separation
membrane 324 constituting a burst membrane will rupture. The
rupture of the burst membrane 322 will cause the carbonated water
316 to mix with the foam generator 320, which results in the
establishment of a large quantity of foam 326 inside the actuator
312. The foam 326, which is water based, will reach the separation
membrane 324 which will rupture in case it has not already
ruptured. In case the separation membrane is constituted by a water
soluble membrane, the foam 326 will cause the separation membrane
324 to be dissolved. When the separation membrane 324 has been
ruptured, the foam 326, which is water based, will continue to
dissolve the water soluble membrane 310 at least partly. The water
soluble membrane 324 is separating the first reactant chamber 302
and the second reactant chamber 306. The dissolving of the water
soluble membrane 310 will be causing the first reactant 304 to
react with the second reactant 308 and thereby the cooling device
300.sup.I is activated. The foam 326 will continue to dissolve the
water soluble membrane 310 such that after some time all of the
first reactant 304 has reacted with the second reactant 308. In
some embodiments the first and second reactants 302, 308 will as a
reaction product generate water which will contribute to dissolve
the water soluble membrane 310. In this way the foam must itself
only dissolve a small portion of the water soluble membrane 310 in
order to start the reaction, and consequently the actuator 312 can
be made smaller. A typical size of the actuator 312 is in the range
of 5-10 mm. As a safety feature, the reactants may include a
gelling agent such as gelatine, aerosil, polyacrylate which turn
the used reactants into a gel after the endothermal reaction is
complete. In this way any misuse of the used reactants is prevented
and the beverage can may be compacted using a standard can
compactor.
[0312] FIG. 34A shows a cooling device 300.sup.II similar to the
cooling device 300.sup.I of FIG. 33A. The cooling device 300.sup.II
differs from the cooling device 300.sup.I of the previous
embodiment in that it includes a different actuator 312'. The
actuator 312' includes a second actuator chamber 318' which is
filled with foam generator 320. The second actuator chamber 318'
further includes a first actuator chamber 314' which is flexible
and completely enclosed within the second actuator chamber 318'.
The first actuator chamber 314 constitutes a non-flexible ampoule
filled by carbonate water 316 having the same pressure as the
surrounding beverage. The first actuator chamber 314' is capable of
withstanding pressure variations generated by temperature
variations without deforming. The first actuator chamber 314' is
further sealed off from the second actuator chamber 318' by a plug
328. The plug is preferably made of liquid metal such as a
Gallium/Indium bead having a melting point around 66 degrees C. in
order to provide high sealing properties. Alternatively, a plug
made of wax may be used. The second actuator chamber 318' is made
of flexible material and thereby the pressure acting on the second
actuator chamber 318' is transmitted to the first actuator chamber
314'. The pressure in the second actuator chamber 318' keeps the
plug 328 fixated onto the first actuator chamber 314'.
[0313] FIG. 34B shows the cooling device 300.sup.II when the
outside pressure has been removed, i.e. when the beverage container
has been opened. When the outside pressure has been removed, the
pressure inside the second actuator chamber 318' will sink as well
due to the flexible wall of the second actuator chamber 318'. The
higher pressure remaining inside the first actuator chamber 314'
caused by the carbonated water 316 and the non deforming walls of
the first actuator chamber 314' will cause the plug 328 to loosen
from the first actuator chamber 314' thereby allowing the carbonate
water 316 to enter the second actuator chamber 318' and to contact
the foam generator 320. When the water 316 contacts the foam
generator 320 an aqueous foam 326 will be produced, which will
dissolve the water soluble membranes 324 and 310 as described in
connection with the previous embodiment.
[0314] FIG. 35A shows yet a further embodiment of a cooling device
300.sup.III being similar to the two previous embodiments except
that a further variant of an actuator 312'' is used. The actuator
312'' is similar to the actuator 312' of FIGS. 34A and B, however,
in the present embodiment the first actuator chamber 314''
constituting a small bag made of a material which in itself
constitutes a burst membrane 322''. The first actuator chamber
314'' is as in the previous embodiments filled by carbonate water
316 and pressurized to a pressure being similar to the pressure of
the carbonated beverage together with which the cooling device is
to be used. As long as the outside pressure, indicated by arrows,
is high, the pressure inside the second actuator chamber 318'' will
remain high and the first actuator chamber 314'' will not
burst.
[0315] FIG. 35B shows the cooling device 300.sup.III when the
outside pressure has been removed, i.e. when the beverage container
has been opened. When the outside pressure has been removed, the
pressure inside the second actuator chamber 318'' will sink and the
elevated pressure within the first actuator chamber 314'' will
cause the burst membrane 322' to rupture and the water 316 inside
the first actuator chamber to contact the foam generator 320
located within the second actuator chamber 318''. The first
actuator chamber 314'' may in an alternative embodiment be made
entirely of thin glass.
[0316] FIG. 36A shows a cooling device 300.sup.IV similar to the
previous embodiments except that yet a further alternative actuator
312''' is used. The actuator 312''' is similar to the previous
embodiments, except that the actuator 312''' comprises only the
first actuator chamber 314''' filled by non-carbonate water 330.
The second actuator chamber and the foam generator have been
omitted. The wall of the first actuator chamber 314 is made of
flexible material, which is a difference compared to the previously
presented embodiments. Further, FIG. 36A shows the cooling device
300.sup.IV when not subjected to an elevated pressure. The cooling
device 300.sup.IV comprises a separation membrane 324 separating
the first actuator chamber 314''' and the water soluble membrane
310. The separation membrane 324 constitutes a burst membrane
similar to the burst membranes 322 presented above in connection
with FIGS. 33 to 35.
[0317] FIG. 36B shows the cooling device 300.sup.IV when subjected
to an outside pressure as shown by the arrow. When subjected to an
outside pressure, the first actuator chamber 314''' will be
compressed and the burst membrane 322 will rupture allowing the
non-carbonated water 330 to contact the water soluble membrane 310
which as shown in the previous embodiments allows the first
reactant 304 to contact the second reactant 308 thereby initiating
the entropy increasing reaction. It should be noted that the
present embodiment differs from the three previous embodiments in
that it is activated by an increase of outside pressure, whereas
the three previous embodiments are activated by a decrease in the
outside pressure. The present embodiment may therefore
advantageously be used together with products which are stored and
low pressure such as beverages or other product packages under
vacuum. Yet further the present embodiment may be used as a
manually activated cooling device such as a cooling stick or
cooling sleeve as previously described. Such devices may be
activated manually the user, e.g. by applying pressure by the users
hand or thumb onto the first actuator chamber 314'''.
[0318] FIG. 37 shows the assembly of a beverage container 334 and a
cooling device 300 having an outer cooling surface 301. The cooling
device 300 may be of the type previous described in connection with
FIGS. 33-36. The present cooling device 300 is presently shown
having an annular shaped outer cooling surface 301. The cooling
device 300 should have an external dimension so that it may be
inserted through an opening 335 of the beverage container 334. The
length of the outer cooling surface 301 is smaller than the length
of the beverage container 344 and therefore the cooling device 300
is held in place within the container 334 by oppositely oriented
supports 332, 332' which are attached to the opposing ends of the
outer cooling surface 301. The support 332 constitutes a ring 331
which is adapted to be fixated around the outer cooling surface 301
and a number of legs 333 oriented away from the outer cooling
surface 301. The support 332, which is oriented in an upwardly
direction and is optionally having shorter legs 333 than the
support 332 facing downwardly, i.e. in the opposite direction of
the opening 335. In this way the outer cooling surface 301 may be
accommodated in the upper half-space, i.e. near the opening 335, of
the beverage container 301. Accommodating the outer cooling surface
301 in the upper half-space of the beverage container 334 will
firstly allow the beverage in the upper half space, i.e. the
beverage closest to the opening 335 to be cooled first, and
secondly, allow a temperature difference within the beverage
container which in turn will improve the convective cooling of the
beverage in the lower half space of the beverage container 334,
since the warm beverage near the bottom of the beverage container
334 will rise towards the cool beverage neat the top of the
beverage container 334. A lid 336 is provided for sealing of the
opening 335. The lid has an removable tab 338 which may be removed
for dispensing the beverage and for activating the cooling device
300.
[0319] The two reference numerals 300 and 301 for the cooling
device are merely used to distinguish between the aspects relating
to the internal working principle of the cooling device and the
outer contact cooling surface of the cooling device,
respectively.
[0320] FIG. 37B shows the container 344 when the outer cooling
surface 301 has been installed inside the beverage container 334.
The legs 333 of the support 332 keep the outer cooling surface 301
in a proper position inside the container 334 by supporting the
outer cooling surface 301 onto the inner walls of the container
334. As discussed above, the outer cooling surface 301 is
preferably located closer to the lid 336 than to the opposite
located bottom of the container 344 in order to cool the beverage
located near the lid 336, which beverage is about to be consumed.
Further, by introducing a slight temperature difference inside the
container the effect of convection may be improved.
[0321] FIG. 38A shows an outer cooling surface 301.sup.I having a
toroid or tubular shape. The toroid or tubular shape will allow
some beverage to be accommodated within the interior space 338
within the outer cooling surface 301. In this way the outer contact
surface of the cooling device to the beverage is increased. An
increased outer contact surface will increase the conductive
cooling of the beverage compared to a cylindrical cooling device.
An activator 312 is located on the side surface of the outer
cooling surface 301.sup.I.
[0322] FIG. 38B shows a further embodiment of a outer cooling
surface 301.sup.II having a slightly different external
configuration compared to the previous embodiment, however, may
have a working principle according to any of the previously
mentioned embodiments of a cooling device 300. The outer cooling
surface 301.sup.II has a spiral form allowing some beverage to be
accommodated in the inner space 338'. In the present embodiment the
actuator 312 is located in the centre of the outer cooling surface
301.sup.II.
[0323] FIG. 38C shows a cooling device 301.sup.III having a
corrugated outer surface, i.e. a star shape, which will exhibit a
significantly larger external cooling contact surface compared to a
circular cylinder. The actuator 312 is located in the centre of the
cooling device.
[0324] FIG. 38D shows a outer cooling surface 301.sup.IV having a
corrugated shape or star shape and in addition an interior space
338 which will exhibit an even larger external cooling surface than
the previous embodiment. All of the above-mentioned embodiments
301.sup.I to 301.sup.IV have an external surface which is large
compared to the volume of the cooling device and thereby the
cooling effect from such cooling device will be larger than a
cooling device having the shape of a flat circular cylinder.
[0325] FIG. 39 shows a beverage container 334 which has a lid 336
and a cooling device 300. The cooling device 300 is having an outer
cooling surface 301.sup.V which is constituted by an elongated
strip located within the beverage container 334. The strip should
be flexible, but self-supporting in order to exhibit a large
cooling surface. The strip may preferably constitute a helix.
[0326] FIG. 40 shows a beverage container 334 including a cooling
device 300. The cooling device 300 may be of the type presented
previously in connection with FIG. 1 and is having a outer cooling
surface 301.sup.VI having a helicoid shape extending from the
bottom of the beverage container to the lid 336 of the beverage
container in order to have a large contact surface with the
beverage.
[0327] It is contemplated that all of the cooling devices 300 may
be provided in all of the above-mentioned cooling device shapes
301.
[0328] FIG. 41A shows the assembling of an activator 312 and the
outer cooling surface 301 of the cooling device 300. The cooling
device 300 may optionally be accommodated in a holster such as the
cooling device holder 340. The cooling device holder 340 may be
made of a non-permeable material having a barrier layer, such as a
laminate bag, in order to preventing any reactant leaking from the
cooling device 300 into the beverage and preventing any CO2 or
beverage from leaking into the cooling device 300. The cooling
device holder 340 may be a container or foil made of aluminium or
the like.
[0329] FIG. 41B shows the assembled actuator 312 and cooling device
holder 340 with the cooling device (not shown) located within the
cooling device holder.
[0330] FIG. 41C shows a cut view of the actuator similar to the
actuator shown in connection with FIG. 1A.
[0331] FIG. 41D shows a top cut out view of the cooling device 300
having a toroidal shape. The cooling device 300 has a first
reactant chamber 302 facing outwardly, a second reactant chamber
304 facing inwardly and a water soluble membrane 310 located there
between separating the first reactant chamber 302 and the second
reactant chamber 304.
[0332] FIG. 41E shows a further embodiment of a toroid shaped
cooling device 300. The cooling device 300 comprises a large number
of hexahedral cells having a honeycomb structure and constituting
either a first reactant chamber 302 or a second reactant chamber
304. The hexahedral cells are separated by a water soluble membrane
310. The present embodiment has the advantage that the reactants
are located in a pre-mixed configuration thereby allowing a large
contact surface between the reactants as soon as the water soluble
membrane 310 has been dissolved allowing a quick and complete
reaction between the two reactants. It is further contemplated that
the reactants may be provided as granulates which are individually
coated by a water soluble membrane.
[0333] FIG. 41G shows a further embodiment of a cooling device 300
in which a plurality of first and second reactant chambers are
located one above the other in a layered structure and separated by
a plurality of water soluble membranes 310 extending in a radial
direction.
[0334] FIG. 42A shows the flushing of a beverage container 334
before filling with beverage. To prevent any oxygen from remaining
inside the beverage container 334 before filling, a flushing pipe
342 is inserted into the beverage container 334 and the beverage
container 334 is flushed by carbon dioxide as indicated by the
arrows in the figure.
[0335] FIG. 42B shows the filling of the beverage container 334 by
beverage 346. After flushing, a filling pipe 344 is inserted into
the beverage container 334 and a suitable amount of beverage is let
into the beverage container 334. A suitable amount should still
allow a small head space 347 to be present when the outer contact
surface 301 of the cooling device 300 is accommodated inside the
filled beverage container 334. The flushing and filling may be
performed in a normal high speed filling machine.
[0336] FIG. 42C shows a pressure lock 348 and a filling station
354. Before entering the filling station 354, the beverage
container 344 is stored inside the pressure lock 348. The beverage
container 334 comprises a beverage 346 and a head space 347. The
volume of the head space 347 should be no less than the total
volume of the cooling device 300 in order to eliminate any
spillage. The pressure lock 348 comprises a first door 350 through
which the beverage container is introduced and a second door 352
through which the beverage container enters the filling station
354. After the beverage container 334 has been accommodated inside
the pressure lock 348, both the first door and the second door are
kept closed and the pressure is increased within the pressure lock
from ambient pressure to an elevated pressure corresponding to the
carbonization pressure of the beverage.
[0337] Inside the filling station 354 a cooling device 300 is
located fixated within a guide tube 356. The guide tube 356 holds
the legs of the support in a contracted state, which corresponds to
the width of the opening of the beverage container 334. A lid 336
is located above the cooling device 300.
[0338] FIG. 42D shows the filling station 354 when the cooling
device 300 has been released into the beverage container 334. When
the cooling device 300 enters the beverage container 334, the legs
of the support 332 will expand and fixate the cooling device 300
inside the beverage container 334.
[0339] FIG. 42E shows a pasteurization station 356. The
pasteurization station 356 is filled with hot water 357 of a
temperature of about 72 degrees C. in order to kill a substantial
amount of the microorganisms within the beverage. Due to the
temperature increase of the pasteurization the pressure inside the
beverage container 334 will increase as well. The temperature
dependent pressure increase does not however affect the actuator
(not shown) of the cooling device 300 since the temperature of the
actuator will be roughly the same as the temperature of the
beverage. The pressure inside the actuator of the cooling device
300 will therefore increase roughly by the same amount as the
pressure outside the cooling device due to the presence of
carbonated water inside the actuator of the cooling device 300. The
actuator will thus not be affected by pasteurization or similar
temperature dependent pressure changes.
[0340] FIG. 42F shows the beverage container 334 including the
cooling device 300 when ready to be shipped to the consumer.
[0341] FIG. 43A shows a cooling device 300.sup.I during
manufacture. The manufacture of the cooling device 300.sup.I may be
a continuous process. The cooling device 300.sup.I comprises the
first foil_358 of a flexible plastic material, the water soluble
membrane 310 in the form of a film or sheet located below the first
foil and the second foil 360 of a flexible plastic material located
below the water soluble membrane 310. The water soluble membrane
310 has a slightly smaller width that the first foil 358 and the
second foil 360, which foils completely enclose the water soluble
membrane 310. The space between the first foil 358 and the water
soluble membrane 310 is filled by the first reactant 304 and the
space between the water soluble membrane 310 and the second foil
360 is filled by the second reactant 308. The reactants 304, 308
are provided in the form of granulates. Alternatively, the
reactants 304, 308 may be provided in the form of rods, plates or
blocks.
[0342] The actuator 312 is located near one edge of the cooling
device 300.sup.I, at which end no reactants are provided. The first
foil 358 and the second foil 360 also cover the actuator 312
located near one edge of the cooling device 300.sup.I. The actuator
312 comprises the second actuator chamber 318 which is filled by
foam generator 320. The second actuator chamber 318 is separated
from the first and second reactants 304, 308 and from the water
soluble membrane 310 by a separation membrane 324, constituting a
weak burst membrane. The second actuator chamber is further
separated from the first actuator chamber 314 by a burst membrane
322. The first actuator chamber 314 is filled by carbonated water
316 having a carbonization pressure substantially being equal to
that of carbonated beverage. The first actuator chamber 314 is
covered by a first reinforcing foil and an opposite second
reinforcing foil 462, 464 in order to increase the stiffness of the
first actuator chamber 314 such that the first actuator chamber 314
is less flexible and may withstand higher pressures without
deforming compared to the rest of the cooling device 300.sup.I.
[0343] FIG. 43B shows a cut out side view of the cooling device
300.sup.I in a non-activated state in which the actuator 312 is
subjected to a pressure substantially equal to the pressure within
the beverage container (not shown) being the pressure of carbonated
beverage in equilibrium.
[0344] FIG. 43C shows the cooling device 300.sup.I when the
actuator 312 has been activated by reducing the pressure outside
the actuator 312 to about 1 atmosphere pressure, e.g. by opening
the beverage container (not shown). The pressure difference between
the outside and the inside of the first actuator chamber 314 of the
actuator 312 being sufficient to breaking the burst membrane 322
and allowing the water within the first actuator chamber 314 to mix
with the foam generator 320 as described previously. The foam will
subsequently penetrate the separation membrane 324 and dissolve the
water soluble membrane 310 allowing the reactants 304, 308 to
react.
[0345] FIG. 44A shows the cooling device 300.sup.II being similar
to the previously described embodiment except that the first
actuator chamber 314' constitutes an ampoule of carbonated water
316 which is sealed by a plug (not shown). The first actuator
chamber is thus located within the second actuator chamber
318'.
[0346] FIG. 44B shows a side cut out view of the cooling device
300.sup.II in a non-activated state in which the pressure inside
and outside the first actuator chamber 314' is substantially equal
and the plug (not shown) seals the first actuator chamber 314'
[0347] FIG. 44C shows a side cut out view of the cooling device
300.sup.II in an activated state in which the pressure outside the
first actuator chamber 314' is reduced and the pressure inside the
first actuator chamber 314' causes the plug (not shown) to be
ejected.
[0348] FIG. 45A shows a cooling device 300.sup.II being similar to
the previous embodiment presented in connection with FIG. 44 and
having the first actuator chamber 314'' completely encapsulated
within the second actuator chamber 318'', however, instead of the
first actuator chamber 314 constituting an ampoule having a plug,
the first actuator chamber 314'' of the present embodiment
constitutes a bag or ampoule made of a rupturable membrane
material. The material may e.g. be glass.
[0349] FIG. 45B shows the cooling device 300.sup.III in a
non-activated state in which the pressure inside and outside the
first actuator chamber 314'' is substantially equal.
[0350] FIG. 45C shows a side cut out view of the cooling device
300.sup.II in an activated state in which the pressure outside the
first actuator chamber 314'' is reduced and the pressure inside the
first actuator chamber 314'' causes the first actuator chamber
314'' to rupture, allowing the water inside the first actuator
chamber 314'' to contact the foam generator 320.
[0351] FIG. 46A shows the cooling device 300.sup.IV in which the
second activator chamber has been omitted and the first actuator
chamber 314''' is separated from the water soluble membrane 310 by
the burst membrane 324.
[0352] FIG. 46B shows the cooling device 300 in a non-activated
state in which the first actuator chamber 314'' is
non-compressed.
[0353] FIG. 46C shows the cooling device 300 in an activated state
in which the first actuator chamber 314'' is compressed, the burst
membrane 324 has been ruptured due to the increased pressure in the
first actuator chamber 314'' and water is dissolving the water
soluble membrane 310 separating the reactants.
[0354] FIG. 47 shows a production plant 365 for producing the
cooling device 300.sup.I. The production plant comprises the first
foil 358 and the second foil 360 being continuously provided from
respective rolls. A first reactant dispenser 366 applies a layer of
the first reactant 304 onto the first foil 358 and a second
reactant dispenser 368 applies a layer of the second reactant 308
onto the second foil 360. A part of the first and second foils 358,
360 which is intended to form the actuator are not provided with
reactants. Two respective rollers both designated the reference
numeral 370 are thereafter compressing and fixating the first and
second reactants 304, 308 on the respective first and second foils
358, 360. Subsequently, the first and second foils 358, 360 are
juxtaposed such that the first and second reactants 304, 308 are
facing each other and a foil of water soluble membrane 310 is
positioned between the first and second reactants 304, 308.
Subsequently, welder rolls 372 weld the first foil and the second
foil together forming the reactant chambers 302, 306 and actuator
chambers 314, 318. A foam generator dispenser 376 fills an amount
of foam generator into the second activator chamber 318 and a water
dispenser 374 fills an amount of carbonate water into the first
activator chamber 314. Finally, a die 378 is used to shape and seal
the first and second activator chambers 314, 318. The manufacture
and subsequent storage of the cooling device 300.sup.I should be
performed under an elevated pressure corresponding to the pressure
of carbonated beverage such as 2 or 3 bar above the ambient
atmospheric pressure for avoiding a premature activation of the
cooling device 300.sup.I.
[0355] The burst membranes may be achieved by allowing the welds
between the first and second activator chambers 314, 318 and
between the second activator chamber 318 and the water soluble
membrane 310 will have predetermined breaking points which will
open during activation. Such predetermined breaking points may be
achieved by welding of two materials which are not fully
compatible, i.e. which form a weld having less strength than the
surrounding foil material. A first reinforcing foil and a second
reinforcing foil may optionally be put on top of the first foil 358
and the second foil 360. Alternatively, the foils 358 360 may be
pre-reinforced at the location of the first actuator chamber.
[0356] FIG. 48 shows a perspective view of an alternative
manufacturing plant 365'. The alternate manufacturing plant 365 is
similar to the manufacturing plant 365 of FIG. 47, however, the
first and second reactants are provided from rolls 366' 368' in the
form of pre-manufactured foils. Further, the foam generator is
provided from a roll 376' in the form of a pre-manufactured foil.
In this way the manufacturing plant may be build more compact since
some rollers may be omitted.
[0357] FIG. 49 shows a perspective view of a variant of the cooling
device 300.sup.I during manufacture. The alternate cooling device
300.sup.I is similar to the cooling device 300.sup.I of FIG. 43,
however, the first and second foils 358, 360 form a blister pack,
i.e. the second foil 360 is flat and non-flexible, while the first
foil 358 is flexible and defines cavities for storing the
reactants, water and foam generator.
[0358] FIG. 50 shows a further embodiment of a cooling device
300.sup.V, which cooling device is similar to the cooling devices
300.sup.I-IV presented in connection with FIGS. 33-36. The cooling
device 300.sup.V differs from the previously presented embodiments
in that it may assume, in addition to the non-activated state and
the activated state, an armed but non-activated state.
[0359] FIG. 50A shows a cut-out side view of a further cooling
device 300.sup.V in its non-armed state. The cooling device
300.sup.I comprises a common reaction chamber 380 filled with a
mixture of the first reactant 304 and the second reactant 308. The
first reactant 304 and the second reactant 308 should be capable of
reacting with one another in a non-reversible, entropy increasing
reaction as previously described, which reaction is an endothermic
reaction which will draw energy from the surroundings. The
reactants 304, 308 are provided in the form of granulates.
Optionally, an anti-caking agent may be included in order to
prevent the reactants from sticking together and a bitter taste
compound in order for the user to detect any accidental leakage of
reactants into the beverage. The mixture of the first reactant 304
and the second reactant 308 should be handled in a completely water
free environment since even a small amount of water may initiate
the reaction between the first reactant 304 and the second reactant
308. Alternatively, as previously described, the first reactant 304
and the second reactant 308 may be separated by a water soluble
membrane (not shown here).
[0360] The cooling device 300.sup.V further comprises an actuator
312.sup.IV. The actuator 312.sup.IV comprises a first actuator
chamber 314.sup.IV and a second actuator chamber 31e. The first
actuator chamber 314.sup.IV is separated from the common reaction
chamber 380 by a wall having a predetermined breaking point 386, or
alternatively a wall having a burst membrane. The first actuator
chamber 314.sup.IV is filled with non carbonated water 316' and may
optionally include a foam generator 320 such as a surfactant. The
foam generator 320 should be a substance which, when mixed with
water generates, a substantial amount of aqueous foam. Example of
such material is NaC.sub.12H.sub.23SO.sub.4. Further examples are
NaC.sub.12H.sub.23SO.sub.3 and
NaC.sub.12H.sub.23C.sub.6H.sub.4SO.sub.3. The water 316 may further
include a gelling agent, a coating or a constituent exhibiting low
solubility in water in order to slow down the reactions and/or
solution of the chemical constituents included in the cooling
device. Constituents exhibiting low solubility in water agents are:
one of calcium carbonate, iron carbonate, strontium carbonate and
an acid exhibiting low solubility such as propanoic acid, buten
acid, penten acid, alanine, leucine. Gelling agents may include
carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC),
hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose (HPMC), methylcellulose (MC),
gelatine, locust, bean gum, possibly combined with xanthangum.
[0361] The second actuator chamber 318.sup.IV is separated from the
first actuator chamber 314.sup.IV by a piercable burst membrane
322'. The piercable burst membrane 322' may be a film of plastic or
metal which is intended to break or rupture when the pressure
difference across the membrane exceeds a predetermined value.
Optionally, the second actuator chamber 318.sup.IV comprises a
piercing element 382 directed towards the piercable burst membrane
322' in the form of a sharp point which is intended to be driven
into the piercable burst membrane 322' when difference across the
membrane exceeds a predetermined value. It is understood that any
of the previous actuators 312'-312''' may comprise a piercing
element as well in order to achieve a more secure and predetermined
breaking pressure of any burst membrane. The second actuator
chamber is filled by a CO.sub.2 generating constituent 384, such as
a mixture of citric acid and bicarbonate. Optionally, the above
mentioned gelling agent and/or foam generator is included in the
second actuator chamber 318.sup.IV.
[0362] FIG. 50B shows a cut-out side view of a further cooling
device 300.sup.V when being armed. The arming is performed by
subjecting the cooling device 300.sup.V to an inwardly directed
pressure force. The pressure force will cause the piercable burst
membrane 322' to deform inwardly and to be ruptured by the piercing
element 382. The first actuator chamber 314.sup.IV will not break
since it is filled by non-compressible liquid only. The rupture of
the burst membrane 322' will cause the CO.sub.2 generating
constituent 384 to mix with the non carbonated water 316' to form
carbonated water 316. The above-mentioned gelling agent or
alternatively a water soluble coating may be used to slow down the
carbonisation process such that the arming of the cooling device
300.sup.V is not completed until a few minutes after applying the
pressure force onto the cooling device 300.sup.V in order to avoid
a premature activation of the cooling device 300. The pressure
force, indicated in FIG. 50B by arrows, may be applied in
connection with or during the steps of CO.sub.2 flushing of the
beverage container, beverage filling of the beverage container, or
pasteurization of the beverage container. The pressure force may be
applied mechanically, or by the inherent pressure increase
associated with the above steps. Alternatively, the burst membrane
322' is replaced by a melting membrane which ruptures at a specific
temperature, such as 60 degrees centigrade during
pasteurization.
[0363] FIG. 50C shows the cooling device 300.sup.V after arming is
completed. The CO.sub.2 generating constituent 384 has been
reacting with the water forming the carbonated water having a
carbonization level corresponding to or slightly lower than the
carbonization of the beverage inside the beverage container. The
beverage is consequently a carbonate beverage such as beer, soda,
cola, tonic or the like. The pressure inside the first actuator
chamber 314.sup.IV should correspond to or be slightly lower than
the pressure inside the filled and sealed beverage container (not
shown) together with which the cooling device 300.sup.I is to be
used. The pressure of the beverage is indicated by the arrows
pointing from the outside (beverage) towards the cooling device,
whereas the arrows pointing outwardly from the actuator 312.sup.IV
represents the pressure in the carbonated water 316. The pressure
inside the first actuator chamber 314.sup.IV therefore is about 2-3
bar in room temperature and varies with the temperature, and
consequently pressure, of the beverage. The carbonate water 316
should be in pressure equilibrium with the beverage. The second
reactant chamber 306 is located adjacent the first reactant chamber
302 and the second reactant chamber 308.
[0364] FIG. 50 shows the cooling device 300.sup.V of FIG. 50C when
the outside pressure of the beverage has been removed: The outside
pressure may be removed e.g. when the beverage container is being
opened. When the outside pressure is removed, i.e. when the cooling
device 300.sup.V is subjected to the ambient pressure of the
atmosphere, the pressure within the carbonate water 316 will cause
the wall of the first actuator chamber 314.sup.IV to rupture at the
pre-determined breaking point 386. Optionally, as described above,
a burst membrane is used. The rupture of the first actuator chamber
314.sup.IV will cause the carbonated water 316 to mix with the
first reactant 304 and the second reactant 308, which will react
and thereby the cooling device 300.sup.I is activated. Optionally,
the foam generator establishes a large quantity of foam which will
increase the reaction speed. In some embodiments the first and
second reactants 302, 308 will as a reaction product generate water
which will contribute to drive the reaction. As a safety feature,
the reactants may include a gelling agent such as gelatine,
aerosil, polyacrylate which turns the used reactants into a gel
after the endothermal reaction is complete. In this way any misuse
of the used reactants is prevented and the beverage can may be
compacted using a standard can compactor.
[0365] FIGS. 51A-F show the series of steps of filling and
pressurising a beverage can 12 of the type shown in the FIGS. 1 to
3, including a cooling device 300.sup.V of the type shown in FIG.
50. The present embodiment shows the arming of the cooling device
during pasteurization, however, arming is also possible in
connection with or during the steps of CO.sub.2 flushing of the
beverage container or beverage filling of the beverage container,
as indicated above, in particular for non-pasteurized
beverages.
[0366] FIG. 51 shows the process of ventilating or flushing the
beverage can 12 by CO.sub.2 prior to filling. The beverage can 12
presently does not include the cooling device 300.sup.V, however,
in an alternative embodiment the cooling device 300.sup.V may be
included in the beverage can 12 prior to flushing by CO.sub.2. The
beverage can is typically flushed or ventilated three times by
inserting a ventilating hose 102 and injecting carbon dioxide
(CO.sub.2) with a pressure of about 3 bar into the beverage can 12.
The pressure during flushing is sufficient to arm the cooling
device 300.sup.V, if present. 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. 51B.
[0367] FIG. 51B 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.
[0368] FIG. 51C 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. In the present view, the non-armed,
non-activated cooling device 300.sup.V has been positioned inside
the beverage container.
[0369] FIG. 51D 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.
[0370] FIG. 51E shows the beverage can 12 inside a pasteurisation
plant 106. The pasteurisation plant 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 12 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
should be made sufficiently rigid to be able to withstand such high
pressures. In addition, the reactants used inside the cooling
device 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. In the present
embodiment, the arming of the cooling device takes place during
pasteurization, when the pressure inside the beverage container and
inside the common reaction chamber causes a pressure force onto the
piecable burst membrane 322 which will be deformed inwardly such
that the piercing element 382 pierces the piercable burst membrane
and the CO2 generating constituents 384 mix with the non carbonated
water 316' to generate carbonated water 316.
[0371] FIG. 51F shows the beverage can 12 in 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 the beverage
can 12 will escape to the surrounding atmosphere, and the beverage
can 12 will assume atmospheric pressure of 1 bar. The pressure of
the carbonated water 316 in the actuator 312.sup.IV will thereby be
higher than the surrounding pressure and the wall of the first
actuator chamber 314.sup.IV will burst at the pre-determined
breaking point 386 to allow the water to mix with the first and
second reactants 304, 308 in the common reaction chamber. The
cooling device 300.sup.V is thereby activated.
[0372] FIG. 52A shows an embodiment of an set of cooling devices
388 formed by three cooling devices 300.sup.V connected by an outer
surface 301.sup.V. Each cooling device 300V of the set of cooling
devices 388 includes a separate actuator 312. The set of cooling
devices 388 is preferable made as a unitary laminate as described
in connection with FIG. 55. The cooling devices 300.sup.V,
constituting elongated flat bodies, are separated by a thin joint
located at the long end of two adjacent cooling devices, allowing
the cooling devices of set cooling devices 388 to be folded as
shown by the arrow.
[0373] FIG. 52B shows the set of cooling devices 388 in a folded
"triangular" state.
[0374] FIG. 52C shows the folded set of cooling devices 388 inside
a beverage container 12.
[0375] FIGS. 53A-C show an alternative embodiment of an outer
surface 301.sup.VI of the set of cooling devices 388', similar to
the embodiment shown in connection with FIG. 52, in which the
cooling devices 300.sup.V are connected by means of a joint 390'
located at a short end of each cooling device 300.sup.VI. The joint
390' allows the cooling devices to be folded into the folded
"triangular" state by folding each cooling device 300.sup.VI
inwardly as indicated by the arrow. The joint 390 comprises a hole
392 to allow beverage to flow out between the cooling devices
300.sup.VI.
[0376] FIGS. 54A-C show an alternative embodiment of an outer
surface 301.sup.VII of the set of cooling devices 388', similar to
the embodiment shown in connection with FIG. 53, in which the
cooling devices 300.sup.VII are connected by means of a joint 390'
located at a short end of each cooling device 300.sup.V. The
embodiment of FIGS. 54A-C differs from the embodiment of FIG. 53 in
that only two cooling devices 300.sup.VII are connected in the set
of cooling devices 388'' by the outer surface 301.sup.VII. The set
of cooling devices 388'' may be folded as indicated by the arrow to
form a folded state fittable inside a beverage can 12.
[0377] FIG. 55 shows a production plant 365' for producing the
cooling device 300.sup.V. The production plant 365' comprises a
first foil 358' and the second foil 360' being continuously
provided from respective rolls. A reactant dispenser 366' applies a
block 394' or layer of a mixture of the first reactant 304 and the
second reactant 308 onto the first foil 358'. In the present
embodiment three adjacent blocks 394' are provided forming a row of
blocks 394' on the first foil 358'. The first foil 358' is
preferably provided with cavities for receiving the reactants.
After the cavities have been filled with a block 394' of reactants,
an actuator 312.sup.V is positioned in each of the blocks 394' of
reactant. Alternatively, the actuator 312.sup.IV is positioned in
each of the cavities of the first foil 358' before the reactants
304, 308 are positioned in the cavities. Yet alternatively, the
actuator may be formed in the first foil by forming an inner
actuator chamber and an outer actuator chamber by welding a first
and a second membrane into the first foil and filling the
respective chambers as described above in connection with FIG.
50.
[0378] A hot roller designated the reference numeral 370' is
thereafter welding the first and second foils 358', 360' together
to form an enclosed package. The roller 370' is shaped in order to
not put an excessive pressure onto the actuator 312.sup.V in order
to avoid a premature activation of the cooling device. Optionally,
a cutter 396 is cutting the foils into strips each constituting a
set of cooling devices 388.
[0379] 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. It is understood by the
skilled person that any of the actuator 314-314.sup.IV may be used
together with any of the cooling devices 300.sup.I-300.sup.V.
Further, it is contemplated that other reactants that those
described above may be used, such as a reaction between
strontiumhydroxide, hexamethyltetramin and optionally urea, or,
strontium hydroxide, guanidine and urea. Further it is contemplated
that other additives that those described above may be used.
TABLE-US-00002 List of parts with reference to FIGS. 1-32 10.
Self-cooling beverage container 12. Beverage can 14. Beverage can
base 16. Lid 18. Tab 20. Cooling device 22. Bottom 24. Top 26. Gas
permeable membrane 28. Main reactant chamber 30. Flexible diaphragm
31. Support diaphragm 32. Pressure space 34. Rounded
circumferential reinforcement bead 36. Washer 38. Rigid cup-shaped
wall 40. Circular wall 42. Circumferential gripping flange 44.
Water chamber 46. Auxiliary cup-shaped wall 48. Auxiliary gripping
flange 50. Auxiliary reactant chamber 52. Pressure inlet 54.
Rupturable diaphragm 56. Piercing element 58. Corrugation 60. Main
cap 62. Main cap seat 66. Support mesh 68. Telescoping valve 69.
First valve element 70. Second valve element 71. Third valve
element 72. Valve apertures 74. Support 76. Descending pipe 78.
Water soluble diaphragm 80. Upper rigid cylinder part 81. Lower
rigid cylinder part 82. Intermediate flexible cylinder 83. Gripping
member 84. Separation element 86. Auxiliary cap 88. Auxiliary cap
seat 89. Main plug 90. Plug seat 92. Auxiliary plug 94. Auxiliary
plug seat 96. Insulating carrier 97. Inner cavity 98. Bulges 99.
Spacer 100. Activation button 102. Ventilation hose 103. Filling
hose 104. Lid flange 106. Pasteurisation plant 110. Party keg
system 112. Housing 114. Upper space 116. Lower space 118. Closure
120. Beverage keg 122. Opening 123. Fixation flange 124. Tapping
line 126. Tapping valve 127. Beverage tap 128. Gasket 130. Pressure
generator 132. Pressurization hose 134. Pressurization knob 136.
Fluid inlet 138. Check valve 140. Beverage dispensing system 142.
Enclosure 144. Base plate 146. Pressure chamber 148. Pressure lid
150. Sealings 152. Coupling flange 154. Tapping handle 156. Cooling
and pressurization generator 158. Fixing rod 160. Activation
channel 162. Dual sealing membrane 164. Bottle 166. Bottle cap 168.
Threading 170. Cap flange 172. Outer cap 174. Intermediate
diaphragm 176. Toothed rod 180. Drink stick 182. Knob 184.
Elongated flexible reservoir 186. Rupturable reservoir 188. Bottle
sleeve 189. Fixation ring 190. First groove 191. Second groove 192.
Wine cooler 193. Outer layer 194. Inner layer 195. Cubic crystal
196. Crystal face 197. Crystal growth 198. Corner 199. Deposit 200.
dispensing and refrigerator system 202. refrigerator cabinet 204.
beverage cans 206. sliding chutes 208. Refrigerator unit 210.
heater unit 212. dispensing aperture 216. Dispensing chute
TABLE-US-00003 List of parts with reference to FIGS. 33-48: 300.
Cooling device 301. Outer surface of cooling device 302. First
reactant chamber 304. First reactant 306. Second reactant chamber
308. Second reactant 310. Water soluble membrane 312. Actuator 314.
First actuator chamber 316. Carbonated water 318. Second actuator
chamber 320. Foam generating granulates 322. Burst membrane 324.
Water soluble membrane 326. Foam 328. Plug 330. Non-carbonated
water 331. Ring 332. Support 333. Legs 334. Beverage container 335.
Opening 336. Lid 338. Inner space 340. Cooling device holder 342.
Flushing pipe 344. Filling pipe 346. Beverage 347. Head space 348.
Pressure lock 350. First door 352. Second door 354. Filling station
355. Guide tube 356. Pasteurization plant 357. Hot water 358. First
foil 360. Second foil 362. First reinforcing foil 364. Second
reinforcing foil 365. Production plant 366. First reactant
dispenser 368. Second reactant dispenser 370. Roller 372. Welder
374. Water dispenser 376. Foam generator dispenser 378. Die 380.
Common reaction chamber 382. Piercing element 384. CO.sub.2
generator 386. Pre-determined breaking point 388. Set of cooling
devices 390. Joint 392. Hole 394. Block of reactant
TABLE-US-00004 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 -- ZnS0.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(SO.sub.4).sub.2, -- 12H.sub.20
Na.sub.2 SiO.sub.3, 9H.sub.20 NH.sub.4NO.sub.3 Mg(NO.sub.3).sub.2,
6H.sub.20 155 Na.sub.2 SiO.sub.3, 9H.sub.20 NH.sub.4NO.sub.3
Ca(NO.sub.3).sub.2, 4H.sub.20 128 Na.sub.2 SiO.sub.3, 9H.sub.20
NH.sub.4SCN 235 Na.sub.2 SiO.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, 6H20 -- 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.sup.3
--
TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 2 Reactant Cooling per mol [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 Mal, 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
Points Characterizing the Invention:
[0380] 1. A container for storing a beverage, said container having
a container body and a closure and defining an inner chamber, said
inner chamber defining an inner volume and including a specific
volume of said beverage, [0381] said container further including a
cooling device having a housing defining a housing volume not
exceeding approximately 33% of said specific volume of said
beverage and further not exceeding approximately 25% of said inner
volume, [0382] said 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 said stoichiometric number of said
reactants, [0383] said at least two separate substantially
non-toxic reactants initially being included in said cooling device
separated from one another and causing, when reacting with one
another in said non-reversible, entropy-increasing reaction, a heat
reduction of said beverage of 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, 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 [0384] said cooling device
further including an actuator for initiating said reaction between
said at least two separate, substantially non-toxic reactants.
[0385] 2. The container according to point 1, said actuator
including a pressure transmitter e.g. a gas permeable membrane or a
flexible membrane for transmitting a pressure increase within said
inner chamber to said cooling device for initiating said reaction
or alternatively for transmitting a pressure drop within said inner
chamber to said cooling device for initiating said reaction.
[0386] 3. The container according to point 1, said actuator
including a mechanical actuator for initiating said reaction
between said at least two separate, substantially non-toxic
reactants.
[0387] 4. The container according to any of the points 1-3, said
reactants being contained within separate compartments within said
cooling device separated by a breakable, dissolvable or rupturable
membrane caused to be broken, dissolved or ruptured by said
actuator, or alternatively separated by a displaceable plug.
[0388] 5. The container according to point 4, said actuator
including a membrane breaker or piercer for breaking or piercing
said membrane.
[0389] 6. The container according to any of the points 3-5, said
actuator being accessible from the outside relative to said
container and preferably being activated through said closure.
[0390] 7. The container according to any of the points 1-6, said
non-reversible, entropy-increasing reaction producing a volumetric
change from said at least two separate, substantially non-toxic
reactants to said substantially non-toxic products, a volumetric
change of no more than .+-.5%, such as preferably no more than
.+-.4%, further preferably no more than .+-.3%, or alternatively
said cooling device being vented to the atmosphere for allowing any
access gas reduced in said non-reversible, entropy-increasing
reaction to be vented to the atmosphere.
[0391] 8. The container according to any of the points 1-7, said at
least two separate, substantially non-toxic reactants being present
as separate granulates or present as at least one granulate and at
least one liquid or present as separate liquids.
[0392] 9. The container according to point 8, said granulate or
said granulates being prevented from reacting through one or more
external coatings such as a coating of starch, a soluble plastics
coating or the like, said one or more external coatings being
dissolvable by water or an organic solvent preferably a liquid such
as a water soluble coating, or alternatively said granulate or said
granulates being prevented from reacting by being embedded in a
soluble gel or foam.
[0393] 10. The container according to any of the points 1-9, said
cooling device further including a chemical activator such as
water, an organic solvent, such as alcohol, propylene glycol or
acetone.
[0394] 11. The container according to point 9, said liquid
activator further serving as a reaction-controlling agent such as a
selective adsorption-controlling agent, or a retardation
temperature setting agent.
[0395] 12. The container according to any of the preceding points,
said container body comprising a beverage keg of polymeric or
metallic material having a volume of 3-50 litres, said keg being
either collapsible or rigid, and said closure being a keg
coupling.
[0396] 13. The container according to any of the preceding points,
said container body comprising a bottle of glass or polymeric
material, said bottle having a volume of 0.2-3 liters, and said
closure being a screw cap, crown cap or stopper.
[0397] 14. The container according to any of the preceding points,
said container body comprising a beverage can and a beverage lid of
metallic material, preferably aluminum or an aluminum alloy, said
can having a volume of 0.2-1 liters, and said closure being
constituted by an embossing area of said beverage lid.
[0398] 15. The container according to any of the preceding points,
said container comprising a bag, preferably as a bag-in-box,
bag-in-bag or bag-in-keg.
[0399] 16. The container according to any of the preceding points,
said container comprising guiding elements for guiding the flow of
beverage from said container body.
[0400] 17. The container according to point 16, said guiding
elements serving to guide the flow of the beverage via said cooling
device towards said closure.
[0401] 18. The container according to any of the points 1-17,
wherein said cooling device is located within said container.
[0402] 19. The container according to any of the points 1-17,
wherein said cooling device is located outside said container.
[0403] 20. The container according to any of the preceding points,
wherein said container body constitutes a double walled container
constituting an inner wall and an outer wall, the cooling device
being located between the inner and outer wall
[0404] 21. The container according to any of the preceding points,
said container further comprising a pressure generating device
either accommodated within said container or connected to said
container via a pressurization hose, said pressure generating
device preferably comprise a carbon dioxide generating device for
pressurization of said beverage in said beverage container.
[0405] 22. The container according to any of the preceding points,
said container further comprising a tapping line and a tapping
valve for selectively dispensing beverage from said beverage
container.
[0406] 23. The container according to any of the preceding points,
wherein said beverage container is 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.
[0407] 24. The container according to any of the preceding points
1-23, wherein said cooling device is accommodated inside the
beverage container before filling the beverage into the beverage
container.
[0408] 25. The container according to any of the points 1-23, said
container comprising, wherein said cooling device forms an integral
part of the beverage container.
[0409] 26. The container according to any of the points 1-23,
wherein said cooling device constitutes a part of the top of the
beverage container, alternatively a part of the wall or bottom of
the beverage container.
[0410] 27. The container according to any of the points 1-23,
wherein said cooling device is fastened onto the base of the
beverage container, alternatively the wall of the container, yet
alternatively the top of the container.
[0411] 28. The container according to any of the points 1-23,
wherein said cooling device constitute a widget, which is freely
movable within the container.
[0412] 29. The container according to any of the points 1-28, said
at least two separate, substantially non-toxic reactants comprising
one or more salt hydrates, preferably inorganic salt hydrates
deliberating in said non-reversible, entropy-increasing reaction a
number of free water molecules.
[0413] 30. The container according to point 29, said one or more
salt hydrates being selected from 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, preferably
LiNO.sub.3.3H.sub.2O, Na.sub.2SO.sub.4.10H.sub.2O (Glauber 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, preferably 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(OH).sub.2.8H.sub.2O, SrBr.sub.2.6H.sub.2O, SrCl.sub.2.6H.sub.2O,
Sr(NO.sub.3).sub.2.4H.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.2H.sub.2O,
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,
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 and/or
LaCl.sub.3.7H.sub.2O.
[0414] 31. A method of providing a container including a beverage
of a first temperature constituting a specific low temperature such
as a temperature of approximately 5.degree. C., said container
having a container body and a closure and defining an inner
chamber, said inner chamber defining an inner volume and including
a specific volume of said beverage, [0415] said container further
including a cooling device having a housing defining a housing
volume not exceeding approximately 33% of said specific volume of
said beverage and further not exceeding approximately 25% of said
inner volume, [0416] said 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 said reactants, [0417] said at least two separate
substantially non-toxic reactants initially being included in said
cooling device separated from one another and causing, when
reacting with one another in said non-reversible,
entropy-increasing reaction, a cooling of said beverage from a
second temperature constituting a temperature substantially higher
than said first temperature and preferably constituting a
temperature at or slightly below the average ambient temperature,
to said 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 [0418] said cooling device further including an actuator
for initiating said reaction between said at least two separate,
substantially non-toxic reactants, when opening said container, the
method comprising: [0419] i) providing a closed cabinet defining an
inner cabinet chamber for storing a plurality of said containers
and having a dispensing opening for the dispensing of said
containers, one at a time, or alternatively having an openable door
for providing access to said inner cabinet chamber for the removal
of one or more of said containers from within said inner cabinet
chamber, [0420] ii) thermostatically controlling the temperature of
said inner cabinet chamber to said second temperature, [0421] iii)
storing said plurality of containers in said inner cabinet chamber
for an extended period of time for allowing the beverage contained
in each of said containers to stabilize at said second temperature,
[0422] iv) dispensing said container from said inner cabinet
chamber, and [0423] v) opening said container for causing said
non-reversible, entropy increasing reaction and causing said
cooling of said beverage contained in said container to said first
temperature.
[0424] 32. 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: [0425] i) a closed cabinet defining an inner cabinet
chamber for storing a plurality of said containers and having a
dispensing opening for the dispensing of said containers, one at a
time, or alternatively having an openable door providing access to
said inner cabinet chamber for the removal of one or more of said
containers from within said inner cabinet chamber, said closed
cabinet having thermostatically controlled temperature controlling
means for maintaining the temperature within said inner cabinet
chamber at a second temperature constituting an elevated
temperature as compared to said first temperature and preferably a
temperature at or slightly below the average ambient temperature,
[0426] ii) a plurality of said containers, [0427] each of said
containers having a container body and a closure and defining an
inner chamber, said inner chamber defining an inner volume and
including a specific volume of said beverage, [0428] each of said
containers further including a cooling device having a housing
defining a housing volume not exceeding approximately 33% of said
specific volume of said beverage and further not exceeding
approximately 25% of said inner volume, [0429] said 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 said reactants, [0430] said at
least two separate substantially non-toxic reactants initially
being included in said cooling device separated from one another
and causing, when reacting with one another in said non-reversible,
entropy-increasing reaction, a cooling of said beverage from a
second temperature constituting a temperature substantially higher
than said first temperature and preferably constituting a
temperature at or slightly below the average ambient temperature,
to said 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 [0431] said cooling device further including an actuator
for initiating said reaction between said at least two separate,
substantially non-toxic reactants, when opening said container.
[0432] 33. A cooling device for use in or in combination with a
container for storing a beverage, said container having a container
body and a closure and defining an inner chamber, said inner
chamber defining an inner volume and including a specific volume of
said beverage, [0433] said cooling device having a housing defining
a housing volume not exceeding approximately 33% of said specific
volume of said beverage and further not exceeding approximately 25%
of said inner volume, [0434] said 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 said reactants, [0435] said at least two
separate substantially non-toxic reactants initially being included
in said cooling device separated from one another and causing, when
reacting with one another in said non-reversible,
entropy-increasing reaction, a heat reduction of said beverage of
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, 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 [0436] said cooling device further including an
actuator for initiating said reaction between said at least two
separate, substantially non-toxic reactants.
[0437] 34. The cooling device according to point 33, said actuator
including a pressure transmitter e.g. a gas permeable membrane or a
flexible membrane for transmitting a pressure increase within said
inner chamber to said cooling device for initiating said reaction
or alternatively for transmitting a pressure drop within said inner
chamber to said cooling device for initiating said reaction.
[0438] 35. The cooling device according to point 33, said actuator
including a mechanical actuator for initiating said reaction
between said at least two separate, substantially non-toxic
reactants.
[0439] 36. The cooling device according to any of the points 33-35,
said reactants being contained within separate compartments within
said cooling device separated by a breakable, dissolvable or
rupturable membrane caused to be broken, dissolved or ruptured by
said actuator, or alternatively separated by a displaceable
plug.
[0440] 37. The cooling device according to point 36, said actuator
including a membrane breaker or piercer for breaking or piercing
said membrane.
[0441] 38. The cooling device according to any of the points 33-37,
said actuator being accessible from the outside relative to said
container and preferably being activated through said closure.
[0442] 39. The cooling device according to any of the points 33-38,
said non-reversible, entropy-increasing reaction producing a
volumetric change from said at least two separate, substantially
non-toxic reactants to said substantially non-toxic products, a
volumetric change of no more than .+-.5%, such as preferably no
more than .+-.4%, further preferably no more than .+-.3%, or
alternatively said cooling device being vented to the atmosphere
for allowing any access gas reduced in said non-reversible,
entropy-increasing reaction to be vented to the atmosphere.
[0443] 40. The cooling device according to any of the points 33-39,
said at least two separate, substantially non-toxic reactants being
present as separate granulates or present as at least one granulate
and at least one liquid or present as separate liquids.
[0444] 41. The cooling device according to point 40, said granulate
or said granulates being prevented from reacting through one or
more external coatings such as a coating of starch, a soluble
plastics coating or the like, said one or more external coatings
being dissolvable by water or an organic solvent preferably a
liquid such as a water soluble coating, or alternatively said
granulate or said granulates being prevented from reacting by being
embedded in a soluble gel or foam.
[0445] 42. The cooling device according to any of the points 33-41,
said cooling device further including a chemical activator such as
water, an organic solvent, such as alcohol, propylene glycol or
acetone.
[0446] 43. The cooling device according to point 42, said liquid
activator further serving as a reaction-controlling agent such as a
selective adsorption-controlling agent, or a retardation
temperature setting agent.
[0447] 44. The cooling device according to any of the preceding
points, said container body comprising a beverage keg of polymeric
or metallic material having a volume of 3-50 liters, said keg being
either collapsible or rigid, and said closure being a keg
coupling.
[0448] 45. The cooling device according to any of the points 33-44,
said at least two separate, substantially non-toxic reactants
comprising one or more salt hydrates, preferably inorganic salt
hydrates deliberating in said non-reversible, entropy-increasing
reaction a number of free water molecules.
[0449] 46. The cooling device according to point 45, said one or
more salt hydrates being selected from 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, preferably
LiNO.sub.3.3H.sub.2O, Na.sub.2SO.sub.4.10H.sub.2O (Glauber 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 preferably 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(OH).sub.2.8H.sub.2O, SrBr.sub.2.6H.sub.2O, SrCl.sub.2.6H.sub.2O,
Sr(NO.sub.3).sub.2.4H.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,
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,
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 and/or
LaCl.sub.3.7H.sub.2O.
[0450] 47. The cooling device according to any of the points 43-46,
said device being 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.
[0451] 48. A container for storing a beverage, said container
having a container body and a closure and defining an inner
chamber, said inner chamber including a specific volume of said
beverage, said container further including a cooling device
defining a volume not exceeding 30% of said volume of said
beverage, said 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, and further
preferably at least a factor 5 larger than the stoichiometric
number of said reactants, said at least two separate substantially
non-toxic reactants initially being included in said cooling device
separated from one another and being caused to react with one
another when opening said container for causing said non-reversible
entropy increasing reaction and generating a cooling of said
liquids by at least 20.degree. C. within a period of time of no
more than 5 min., preferably 3 min., further preferably 2 min. and
providing said cooling lasting for at least 10 min. preferably at
least 15 min, further preferably at least 20 min.
[0452] 49. The container according to point 48, further having any
of the features of the container according to any of the points
2-30.
[0453] 50. A cooling device for use in or in combination with a
container for storing a beverage, said container having a container
body and a closure and defining an inner chamber, said inner
chamber defining an inner volume and including a specific volume of
said beverage, said cooling device further defining a volume not
exceeding 30% of said volume of said beverage, said 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, and further preferably at least a factor 5 larger than
the stoichiometric number of said reactants, said at least two
separate substantially non-toxic reactants initially being included
in said cooling device separated from one another and being caused
to react with one another when opening said container for causing
said non-reversible entropy increasing reaction and generating a
cooling of said liquids by at least 20.degree. C. within a period
of time of no more than 5 min., preferably 3 min., further
preferably 2 min. and providing said cooling lasting for at least
10 min. preferably at least 15 min, further preferably at least 20
min.
[0454] 51. The cooling device according to point 50, further having
any of the features of the cooling device according to any of the
points 33-47.
[0455] 52. A container for storing a beverage, said container
having a container body and a closure and defining an inner
chamber, said inner chamber defining an inner volume and including
a specific volume of said beverage, [0456] said container further
including a cooling device having a housing defining a housing
volume not exceeding approximately 33% of said specific volume of
said beverage and further not exceeding approximately 25% of said
inner volume, [0457] said 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 said reactants, [0458] said at least two separate
substantially non-toxic reactants initially being included in said
cooling device separated from one another and causing, when
reacting with one another in said non-reversible,
entropy-increasing reaction, a heat reduction of said beverage of
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, within a period of time_of no more
than 5 min. preferably no more than 3 min., more preferably no more
than 2 min., [0459] said cooling device defining an outer cooling
surface contacting said beverage and further including an actuator
for initiating said reaction between said at least two separate,
substantially non-toxic reactants, and [0460] said inner chamber
defining an inner top half space containing beverage and an inner
bottom half space containing beverage, any point within said top
half space defining a maximum distance A to an adjacent point on
said outer cooling surface, said maximum distance A being of the
order of 0.5 cm-2.0 cm, such as 0.5 cm-1.5 cm, preferably
approximately 1.0 cm.
[0461] 53. The container according to point 52, wherein any point
within said bottom half space defining said maximum distance A to
an adjacent point on said outer cooling surface, or, preferably,
wherein any point within said inner chamber defining said maximum
distance A to an adjacent point on said outer cooling surface.
[0462] 54. The container according to any of the points 52-53,
wherein said inner chamber defines an inner surface, said outer
cooling surface defining an area being at least 3 times the area of
said inner surface, preferably at least 4 times the area of said
inner surface, such as 5 times the area of said inner surface.
[0463] 55. The container according to any of the points 52-54,
wherein said cooling device defining an interior beverage space at
least partly enclosed by said outer cooling surface, said interior
beverage space defining a transversal dimension between adjacent
points of said outer surface, said transversal dimension defining a
maximum distance of 2 A.
[0464] 56. The container according to any of the points 52-55,
wherein said outer surface of said cooling device defines a top
surface, a bottom surface and a substantially cylindrical surface
enclosing said top and bottom surfaces.
[0465] 57. The container according to any of the points 52-55,
wherein said outer surface of said cooling device defines a top
surface, a bottom surface and a corrugated surface enclosing said
top and bottom surfaces.
[0466] 58. The container according to any of the points 52-55,
wherein said outer surface of said cooling device defines a top
surface, a bottom surface and an intermediate surface enclosing
said top and bottom surfaces, said intermediate surface having an
annular shape, a helical shape, a helicoid shape or a
spiral-shape.
[0467] 59. The container according to any of the points 52-58,
wherein said at least two separate substantially non-toxic
reactants initially being included in said cooling device are
separated from one another by a water soluble membrane and said
actuator including a first actuator chamber being filled by water
or an aqueous solution equivalent to said beverage.
[0468] 60. The container according to point 59, wherein said first
actuator chamber is flexible, deformable and separated from said
water soluble membrane by a pressure activated seal, said cooling
device initially being kept at a low pressure and said reaction
being initiated when said pressure activated seal being ruptured
when the pressure inside said first actuator chamber is increased
above a specific high pressure, said low pressure typically being
atmospheric pressure or below, said specific high pressure
typically being atmospheric pressure or above.
[0469] 61. The container according to points 59, wherein said first
actuator chamber is capable of withstanding pressure variations
while said first actuator chamber is closed, said actuator further
including a second actuator chamber being filled with a foam
generating material, said second actuator chamber being located
between said first actuator chamber and said water soluble membrane
and separated from said first actuator chamber by a pressure
activated seal, said second actuator chamber preferably being
separated from said water soluble membrane by one or more pressure
activated seals.
[0470] 62. The container according to point 61, wherein said
beverage is a carbonated beverage and said first actuator chamber
is filled by gasified water or a gasified aqueous solution
equivalent to said beverage, typically constituting carbonated
water, said cooling device initially being kept at a high pressure
and said reaction being initiated when said pressure activated seal
being ruptured when the pressure outside of said first actuator
chamber is decreased below a specific low pressure, said high
pressure typically being the pressure of_the carbonated beverage
such as 2-3 bars whereas said specific low pressure typically being
atmospheric pressure.
[0471] 63. The container according to any of the points 61-62,
wherein said first actuator chamber comprises a substantially rigid
ampoule being encapsulated within said second actuator chamber.
[0472] 64. The container according to any of the points 60-63,
wherein said pressure activated seal comprises a burst membrane or
alternatively a plug, advantageously a plug of liquid metal such as
alloys including Gallium and/or Indium.
[0473] 65. The container according to any of the points 59-64,
wherein said water soluble membrane is configured in a layered
structure or alternatively in a honeycomb structure or yet
alternatively as a coating.
[0474] 66. The container according to any of the preceding points,
wherein said cooling device is manufactured at least partly of
plastic foils.
[0475] 67. A cooling device, preferably a cooling bag, cooling rod
or cooling container, [0476] said 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 said reactants, [0477] said at least two
separate substantially non-toxic reactants initially being included
in said cooling device separated from one another and causing, when
reacting with one another in said non-reversible,
entropy-increasing reaction, a heat reduction, and [0478] said
cooling device further including an actuator for initiating said
reaction between said at least two separate, substantially
non-toxic reactants.
[0479] 68. The cooling device according to point 67, wherein said
at least two separate substantially non-toxic reactants initially
being included in said cooling device separated from one another by
a water soluble membrane and said actuator including a first
actuator chamber being filled by water or an aqueous solution
equivalent to said beverage.
[0480] 69. The cooling device according to any of the points 67-68,
wherein said first actuator chamber is flexible, deformable and
separated from said water soluble membrane by a pressure activated
seal, said cooling device initially being kept at a low pressure
and said reaction being initiated when said pressure activated seal
being ruptured when the pressure inside of said first actuator
chamber is increased above a specific high pressure, said low
pressure typically being atmospheric pressure or below, said
specific high pressure typically being atmospheric pressure or
above.
[0481] 70. The cooling device according to any of the points 67-68,
wherein said first actuator chamber is capable of withstanding
pressure variations while said first actuator chamber is closed,
said actuator further including a second actuator chamber being
filled with a foam generating material, said second actuator
chamber being located between said first actuator chamber and said
water soluble membrane and separated from said first actuator
chamber by a pressure activated seal, said second actuator chamber
preferably being separated from said water soluble membrane by one
or more pressure activated seals
[0482] 71. The cooling device according to point 70, wherein said
first actuator chamber is filled by gasified water, such as
carbonated water, said cooling device initially being kept at a
high pressure and said reaction being initiated when said pressure
activated seal being ruptured when the pressure outside of said
first actuator chamber is decreased below a specific low pressure,
said high pressure typically being the pressure of the carbonated
beverage such as 2-3 bar whereas said specific low pressure
typically being atmospheric pressure.
[0483] 72. The cooling device according to any of the points 69-71,
wherein said pressure activated seal comprises a burst
membrane.
[0484] 73. The cooling device according to any of the points 69-71,
wherein said pressure activated seal comprises a plug,
advantageously a plug of liquid metal such as alloys including
Gallium and/or Indium.
[0485] 74. The cooling device according to any of the points 70-73,
wherein said first actuator chamber comprises a substantially rigid
ampoule located encapsulated within said second actuator
chamber.
[0486] 75. The cooling device according to any of the points 68-74,
wherein said water soluble membrane is configured in layered
structure or alternatively in a honeycomb structure or yet
alternatively as a coating.
[0487] 76. The cooling device according to any of the points 68-74,
wherein said cooling device is manufactured of plastic foils.
[0488] 77. The cooling device according to any of the points 67-76,
wherein said cooling device constitutes a cooling bag suitable for
the treatment of sports injuries, or, a cooling rod for use in
drinks, or, a cooling container for prolonging the pot life of two
component glue or paint.
[0489] 78. A method of producing a cooling device according to any
of the points 52-78 including the steps of arranging: [0490] a
first foil, [0491] a second foil located opposite said first foil,
[0492] a water soluble membrane between said first and second foils
[0493] a first reactant between said first foil and said water
soluble membrane, [0494] a second reactant between said water
soluble membrane and said second foil, and [0495] a first
water-filled actuator chamber located in the vicinity of said water
soluble membrane.
[0496] 79. A cooling device, preferably a cooling bag, cooling rod
or cooling container, [0497] said cooling device including at least
two 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 said
reactants, said at least two substantially non-toxic reactants
initially being included in said cooling device and causing a heat
reduction when reacting with one another in said non-reversible,
entropy-increasing reaction, said cooling device further including
an actuator for initiating said reaction between said at least two
separate, substantially non-toxic reactants, said actuator
comprising: [0498] an outer chamber including an chemical activator
capable of initiating said reaction and being separated from said
at least two substantially non-toxic reactants by a first membrane,
and [0499] an inner chamber including a constituent capable of
elevating the pressure of said chemical activator, said inner
chamber being separated from said outer chamber by a second
membrane, said cooling device being capable of assuming: [0500] a
non-armed state in which both said first membrane and said second
membrane are non-ruptured for preventing any contact between said
chemical activator and said reactants, and, between said
constituent and said chemical activator, [0501] an armed state in
which said first membrane is non-ruptured for preventing any
contact between said chemical activator and said reactants while
said second membrane is ruptured for allowing said constituent and
said chemical activator to react and raise the pressure of said
chemical activator, and [0502] an activated state in which both
said first membrane and said second membrane are ruptured for
allowing said chemical activator and said reactants to react with
one another in said non-reversible, entropy-increasing
reaction.
[0503] 80. The cooling device according to point 79, wherein said
second membrane is ruptured when the pressure outside said inner
chamber is increased above a predetermined value.
[0504] 81. The cooling device according to point 79, wherein said
second membrane is ruptured when the temperature of said second
membrane is increased above or decreased below a predetermined
value.
[0505] 82. The cooling device according to any of the points 79-81,
wherein said first membrane is ruptured when the pressure outside
said outer chamber is decreased below a specific value.
[0506] 83. The cooling device according to any of the points 79-82,
wherein said reactants are separated by a soluble membrane.
[0507] 84. The cooling device according to any of the points 79-83,
wherein said inner chamber and/or outer chamber further including a
gelling agent.
[0508] 85. The cooling device according to any of the points 79-84,
wherein said inner chamber and/or outer chamber further including a
foaming agent.
[0509] 85. The cooling device according to any of the points 79-85,
wherein said inner chamber and/or outer chamber further including
an agent for reducing solubility of said constituent.
[0510] 86. The cooling device according to any of the points 79-85,
wherein said constituent comprise a mixture of citric acid and
bicarbonate.
[0511] 87. The cooling device according to any of the points 79-86,
wherein said chemical activator comprise water.
[0512] 88. The cooling device according to any of the points 79-87,
wherein said second membrane is being ruptured by a piercing
element.
[0513] 89. The cooling device according to any of the points 79-87,
wherein said first membrane is being ruptured at a predetermined
breaking points.
[0514] 90. The cooling device according to any of the points 79-89,
wherein said reactants and said constituent are being provided in
the form of granulates.
[0515] 91. The cooling device according to any of the points 79-90,
wherein said cooling device is made of a plastic laminate.
[0516] 92. A set of cooling devices including a number, such as two
or three cooling devices according to any of the points 79-91, said
cooling devices being foldably connected for fitting inside a
beverage container.
[0517] 93. A beverage container including a beverage and a cooling
device according to any of the point 79-91 or a set of cooling
devices according to point 92.
[0518] 94. The beverage container according to point 93, wherein
said second membrane is ruptured in connection with the carbon
dioxide flushing of said container, with the filling of said
beverage into said beverage container or with the pasteurization of
said beverage.
[0519] 95. The beverage container according to any of the points
93-94, wherein said first membrane is ruptured in connection with
opening said beverage container.
[0520] 96. A method of producing a cooling device, said method
comprising the steps of: [0521] providing a first foil, [0522]
placing a water-filled actuator on a predetermined position of said
first foil, [0523] placing a first reactant and a second reactant
on said predetermined position on said first foil, [0524] arranging
a second foil opposite said first foil, and enclosing said first
and second foils by welding around said predetermined position.
[0525] 97. A method of producing a cooling device, said method
comprising the steps of: [0526] providing a first rupturable
membrane, [0527] creating a inner chamber on said first rupturable
membrane by placing a second rupturable membrane on said first
rupturable membrane, [0528] filling said inner chamber by a
constituent capable of elevating the pressure of a chemical
activator, [0529] enclosing said inner chamber by welding said
first rupturable membrane onto said second rupturable membrane,
[0530] providing a first foil [0531] creating a outer chamber on
said first foil by placing said first rupturable membrane on said
first foil such that said second rupturable membrane is facing said
first foil, [0532] filling said outer chamber by said chemical
activator, [0533] enclosing said outer chamber by welding said
first rupturable membrane onto said first foil, [0534] placing a
first reactant and a second reactant on said first foil adjacent
said outer chamber, [0535] placing a second foil opposite said
first foil, and [0536] enclosing said first and second foils by
welding around said outer chamber.
[0537] 98. The method according to point 96, wherein said method
further comprising: [0538] placing a water soluble membrane between
said first reactant and said second reactants,
[0539] 99. The method according to any of the points 96-98, wherein
said method further comprising any of the features of points
79-91.
* * * * *
References