Heat Transfer Unit

Abstract

A portable heat transfer unit characterized by a multi-walled container. The container is so formed that wall portions thereof define therein separate pockets or chambers. Disposed in said pockets and separated by said wall portions are at least two separate types of material, the material to be treated and heat transfer material, the latter being activated, when required, by a simple manipulation of the container.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to improvements in portable heat transfer units and unique container concepts therefor.

It will be described herein with particular reference to application thereof to cooling units. However, it will be obvious that the use of the invention embodiments is not so limited in application and such is not intended. The invention devices can be readily utilized as heating units as well as cooling units.

There have been many portable heat transfer units heretofore proposed in the prior art. They have had, however, extremely limited acceptance due to numerous undesirable aspects. Among the causes of non-acceptance of the prior art devices has been a rather awkward size and design making them difficult to carry. There has also been evidenced considerable difficulty in obtaining a leak-proof construction which would enable the heat transfer units to be readily transported and used when desired and in the manner intended.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes problems such as above noted which have been heretofore encountered in the art in question. It provides a portable heat transfer unit featuring an improved package or container the contents of which will neither deteriorate or leak during storage, transport or use. The container concepts of the invention provide that the material to be treated in the invention unit can be either introduced therein by the manufacturer or can be "customer" introduced by the user. The invention provides an option, moreover, as to the form in which the material to be treated is introduced. It may be incorporated as unpackaged bulk material or simply as a pre-packaged unit quantity. In either case, the invention package will contain suitable heat transfer chemical, either of an endo-thermic or an exo-thermic nature which can be simply energized while remaining in a relatively sealed relation in the package or container per se.

It is a primary object of the invention to provide a portable heat transfer unit featuring unique container concepts which is economical to fabricate, more efficient and satisfactory in use, adaptable to a wide variety of applications and unlikely to malfunction in use.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel container concept enabling a heat transfer unit for use in connection with the preservation or preparation of other materials, either pre-packaged or in bulk form.

A further object of the invention is to provide a convenient portable heat transfer unit which may function independently of a source of electricity or heat, being entirely self-contained and independent of other sources of energy.

Another object of the invention is to provide a means whereby a unique chemical heat transfer unit may be produced which can be simply taken from a shelf and simply manipulated to almost instantaneously produce a change of temperature of its contents or the temperature of any material brought into proximity therewith.

Another object of the invention is to provide a heat transfer unit characterized by an improved container for chemical heat transfer material which inhibits leakage or deterioration of its contents.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a novel heat transfer unit and container components therefor possessing the advantageous structural features, the inherent meritorious characteristics and the means and mode of operation herein described.

With the above and other incidental objects in view, as will more fully appear in the specification, the invention intended to be protected by Letters Patent consists of the features of construction, the parts and combinations thereof and the mode of operation as hereinafter described or their equivalents.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings wherein some but not necessarily the only forms of embodiment of the invention are shown,

FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of a heat transfer unit in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of a modified heat transfer unit in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of a further embodiment of the invention concepts;

FIG. 4 is yet another form of heat transfer unit which features the invention concepts; and

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view of a particular means for closing the unit illustrated in FIG. 4.

Like parts are indicated by similar characters of reference throughout the several views.

Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, the invention as there shown is embodied in a thin walled but self-sustaining container 10 capable of being flexed, to a limited degree, under an externally applied pressure. The container is, in this embodiment, comprised of two thermo-formed plastic cup sections 11 and 12, one inverted over and opening to the other. After the desired contents are introduced, expanded lip portions of these cup sections are overlapped and permanently joined together, as by spin welding. Thus, once the cup sections are joined together, the container is fully sealed. Prior to such sealing, however, in accordance with the invention there is placed within the bottom cup section 11, centered on its base 13, a pre-packaged unit amount of a chemical 15. This chemical is sealed within a frangible shell-like container 16, preferably one made of plastic. As will be further described, on application of a suitable pressure, the shell 16 will separate or rupture to release its contents.

As seen in FIG. 1, the packaged chemical 15 is retained in position by nesting the bottom of its container in a pocket defined by an annular ridge 17 formed on the interior surface of the container base 13. So positioned, there is defined about the packaged chemical an annular space 18. Introduced in the space 18, to fill the same and extend upwardly of the container, is a second chemical composition 19. The chemicals 15 and 19 are chosen to suit the intended application. If the embodiment of the invention is to serve as a cooling unit, then the chemicals 15 and 19 will be such that on contact there will be an interaction therebetween to produce an immediate reduction in the existing temperature of their environment, resulting in a reduction in the temperature of the entire container and its contents. In such case, by way of example, the chemical 15 could be a mixture of sodium thiosulfate and water while the chemical 19 could be a charge of ammonia nitrate or ammonia chloride. When the sodium thiosulfate and water is intermixed with either the ammonia nitrate or ammonia chloride, there will be produced an immediate endo-thermic reaction which, as will be further described, cools the container and the product or material to be treated.

Looking again to the container 10 as illustrated in FIG. 1 of the drawings the cup section 12 which provides an extension of and caps the section 11 is so formed to produce within the limits thereof a double walled container structure. As will be noted, within a narrow annular peripheral base portion 20, shown uppermost, the bottom of the cup section 12 is formed with a central portion projected inwardly the depth of the cup to produce in the upper end of the container 10 a pocket 22. The latter is adapted to receive a charge of a product or material 27 to be treated within the container. This material may be in either a bulk or pre-packaged form. In the described formation of the pocket 22 there is thus produced in the upper portion of the container an inner wall 23 which defines thereabout, with the peripheral wall 21 of cup section 12, an annular mixing space 24, the purpose of which will be further described.

To summarize the foregoing, in fabricating the described embodiment of the invention the container cup section 11 has introduced therein the package of chemical 15 and about such package the chemical 19. As is self-evident, the chemicals are separated by the shell-like container 16 in the first instance. After introduction of the chemicals, the cup section 12 is applied and integrated with the section 11 as previously described. The chemicals are thus sealed and separated at this point. The material to be treated, whether in solid or liquid state or pre-packaged or in bulk form, is then introduced in the pocket 22. To afford a complete shelf package, the base portion 20 of the cup section 12 shown uppermost is then bridged by a cap or seal 25. The latter may be heat sealed to the container 10 at the portion 20 or otherwise suitably attached so as to seal the contents 27 in the pocket 22.

It is to be recalled that in the particular embodiment described the chemicals 15 and 19 have been chosen so as to produce on contact and an intermixture thereof a cooling effect. It is of course obvious that the chemicals 15 and 19 can be chosen to produce on contact an exo-thermic reaction as well as an endo-thermic reaction. Since the chemicals which may be substituted for such purposes as the latter case are well known, they are not further detailed here.

In any case, consider that the material 27 packaged as above described, is desired to be used. Consider further that the material 27 may be a cocktail and it is desired to chill the same prior to drinking. In such case, to produce the cooling heat transfer reaction, it is only necessary to squeeze with the fingers the lower section 11 of the container 10 and produce a pressure thereon sufficient to react on the shell 16 of the chemical 15. The container shell 16 is designed, of course, so that it will not inadvertently rupture or fracture but will respond to a steadily applied pressure to so react. On thus breaking the container 16 within the container 10, the chemical 15 will be exposed to the chemical 19 to produce a heat transfer action within the container 10. This reaction is accelerated by shaking and/or inverting the container so as to disperse the contacted chemicals throughout the container and into the annular mixing space 24 about the container pocket 22. The heat transfer reaction is instantaneous and the portion of the container 10 defining the pocket 22 is such to facilitate heat transfer whereby there is an extremely rapid cooling of the cocktail or other material in the pocket 22.

If the chemicals are designed, as suggested above, to produce an exo-thermic reaction, then the contents of the pocket 22 will of course be heated rapidly and effectively. It is noted that whether an endo-thermic or an exo-thermic reaction is produced, the transmission of heat through the walls of the pocket 22 is rapid.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the described embodiment of the invention is particularly well adapted for merchandising food products which are to be consumed in an area where it is difficult to provide for their cooling or heating, as the case may be. The advantages equally obtain in reference to any other materials which are required to be heated or cooled at the place of use, at which place conventionally provided heating or cooling apparatus is not readily available or desirable. By way of example, it should be apparent that beverages packed in the invention container would be admirably suited for use on airlines, railroads, and on any other type of vehicle. Advantages obtain also in using the invention for materials to be carried on picnics, camping trips or the like. In any case, the invention obviates the need for dependence on normal icing or heating mediums.

As is apparent, the material 27 can be made ready for use in a brief interval of time and at any location. At the point when it is desired to use or consume the materials 27, one need only remove or break the cap 25. Note that the container 10 per se can serve as a dish, cup or glass.

Looking now to FIG. 2 of the drawings, the invention embodiment there illustrated utilizes the same basic concept as the invention of FIG. 1. In this case there is an outer container shell 30 having the general configuration of a glass. The container shell 30 is preferably thermo-formed of a plastic material which is self-sustaining but capable of a degree of flexing for purposes as described with respect to the cup section 11 of the structure of FIG. 1. As seen, the shell 30 comprises a disc-like base 31 formed on the interior surface thereof with an upwardly projected annular ridge 32. The base 31 is rimmed by a vertically projected self-sustaining wall structure 33 having at its upper extremity a reversely directed outwardly projected lip 34. Suspended by a suitable sealing connection to the lip 34 to depend interiorly of the shell 30 is a bag-like structure 35. The latter is preferably made of a plastic film which is completely flexible but lacks any self-sustaining characteristics. As disposed within the shell 30, the bag 35 produces a container unit which has a double wall structure through a major portion of its longitudinal or vertical extent. The inner of the walls is provided by the dependent portion 36 of the bag 35 which disposes generally in spaced relation to the wall 33 of the shell 30. So disposed, there defined within the shell 30 and between the wall portions 33 and 36 a generally annular space 37.

It will be noted that the bag 35 in effect forms a seal of the shell 30 and in particular in reference to the lower portion thereof. As in the case of the embodiment first described, seated on the base 31 of the shell 30 and nested within the pocket defined by the ridge 32 is a container 38 the contents of which will be of a chemical composition 15' such as described with reference to the chemical package 15-16 of the device of FIG. 1 of the drawings. In surrounding relation to the package 38 and within the annular space thereabout in the shell 30 there is provided a chemical 19' in bulk form which not only will preferably surround the package 38 but extend upwardly thereof about the lower portion of the dependent bag 35.

As in the case of the pocket 22, the bag 35 defines an open pocket 39 inwardly of the top of a multi-wall container structure.

In respect to the embodiment of the invention as shown in FIG. 2, this is particularly adaptable for use in the treatment, either heating or cooling, of pre-packaged materials. Note that such materials may be packaged in a canned condition, represented by the can 40 illustrated in FIG. 2. The very nature of the construction illustrated will facilitate the heating or cooling of a can and its contents, the same being disposed interiorly of the multi-wall portion of the basic package provided by the invention. Of course, the invention of FIG. 2 may have equally disposed in the pocket 39 material in bulk form. In any case, whether the item 40 is integrated in packaged or bulk form, it may either be inserted in the pocket 39 at the place of use or be inserted by a manufacturer and in any case prior to use there may be applied across the pocket 39 a sealing cap such as the cap 25 utilized in the embodiment of FIG. 1 of the drawings.

Further, in a manner as described previously, to use the embodiment of FIG. 2, one needs only to apply pressure to the wall 33 which has a degree of capability of flexing. By applying a sufficient steady pressure one can rupture the package 38 to bring into contact the chemicals 15' and 19'. The device of FIG. 2 can also be so provided, by suitable depth of the bag 35 within the shell 30, that when a can is inserted in the pocket 39, the can may transmit through the bottom of the bag 35 its pressure to the package 38 and in this manner rupture such package and provide for exposing the chemical 15' to the surrounding chemical 19'. In either case, the entire container package may be shaken, with the material 40 being contained in place so as to cause the chemicals 15' and 19' to intermix and dispose peripherally of the bag 35 in the space 37 and substantially throughout the expanse of the bag. It may be readily seen that with this type of contact and utilizing the bag 35 there is an immediate proximity to the bag and its substantial expanse of the chemical materials, which are effective, depending upon whether the reaction produced is endo-thermic or exo-thermic, to cause a rapid heat transfer effective to quickly change the temperature of the material contents designated by the numeral 40.

It is noted that the use of the thin, flexible plastic film is an important consideration in producing a most effective heat transfer. Moreover, the design of the bag 35 to transmit, at a place of use, the weight of the inserted material to be treated in the pocket 39 so as to fracture the chemical package 38 is of particular advantage.

In any case the embodiments of the invention of FIG. 1 and 2 show alternate modes of use of the invention concepts which serve a particular utility and provide a unique packaging concept for devices to serve as chemical heat transfer mediums. It should be obvious, of course, that the package 16 or 38 will in any case be frictionally held in the pocket defined to the base of the respective containers of FIGS. 1 and 2 and such packages will be sufficiently encompassed to avoid their inadvertent or premature rupture.

FIG. 3 shows yet a further embodiment of the invention. In FIG. 3 the outer container shell 40 is thermo-formed to a glass-like configuration comprising, in this instance, a flat disc-like base 41. The base 41 is rimmed by a vertically projected self-sustaining wall 42 of plastic having a lip 43 at its upper extremity similar to the lip 34 on the shell 30. In this case, however, the wall portion 42 is distinguished by circumferential portions in adjacent spaced relation to the base 41 being formed to provide therein corrugations or grooves 44. Frictionally held by the corrugations 44, interiorly of the shell 40 in adjacent spaced relation to the base 41, is a partition 45 having a generally cup-like configuration which is open in a sense upwardly of the shell 40. The partition 45 thereby defines to the bottom thereof a relatively sealed chamber which prior to insertion of the partition has introduced therein a chemical 46. Also disposed interiorly of the shell 40 is a flexible plastic bag 47. The bag 47 is suspended by a sealed connection of the portion defining the mouth thereof to the lip 43 so as to dispose in the shell 40 similarly to the disposition of the bag 35 in the shell 30 of the embodiment of FIG. 2 of the drawings. Prior to the seal of the bag 47 to the lip 43 of the shell 40 there is introduced to be cupped by the partition 45 and about and upwardly of the bag a chemical 48. It will be thus seen that the completely flexible non-self-sustaining material of the bag 47 is cupped to a substantial extent by the chemical 48, the latter which is separated from the chemical 46 by the cup-formed partition 45. The bag 47 thus defines in a multi-walled container assembly a substantial pocket 49 for the receipt of material to be treated.

As described with reference to the embodiments of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the normally separated chemicals 46 and 48 inserted in the container structure will be of a nature that on contact and intermixture there will be produced an endo-thermic or exo-thermic reaction. Of course, the nature of the reaction will be dependent on the selection of chemicals for the purpose intended. Also, as in the case of the other embodiments, the material to be treated can be pre-packaged in the heat transfer unit within the pocket 49, the latter of which may be capped by a cover such as 25.

To activate the unit illustrated in FIG. 3 of the drawings, one again need only press firmly in a sense inward of the container on the shell wall 42, in the vicinity of the grooves defined by the corrugations 44. In this manner one will displace the frictionally held partition 45 to thereby expose the chemicals 46 and 48 to each other. Upon briefly shaking the container unit the chemicals are thoroughly mixed. Also, by inverting the entire container where the pocket 49 is capped, there will be insured a most complete exposure of the wall of the plastic bag 47 to the interacting chemicals. Depending on the nature of the chemicals, one will, as previously described, produce either an endo-thermic or an exo-thermic reaction which is fully applied to the contents of the pocket 49, whatever they might be at the moment.

FIG. 4 of the drawing shows yet another embodiment of the invention wherein there is a multi-walled container unit 50 fabricated of plastic film. A basic difference in this instance is that the container itself is not of a self-sustaining character but rather inherently collapsible. As may be seen from FIG. 4, the embodiment here disclosed is actually comprised of three flexible bags of plastic film. There is an outer bag 51 within which is suspended an inner bag 52 of shorter length. As the bag 52 is disposed within the bag 51, the mouth thereof, which is stretched to be of a size corresponding to that of the mouth of the bag 51, is heat sealed to the mouth of the bag 51, coextensively therewith. The bag 52 is distinguished from the bag 51 not only in that it is shorter in length so the sealed inner end thereof is spaced from the bottom of the bag 51 but the bag 52 is smaller in circumferential extent. Thus, as the bag 52 is disposed in the bag 51, the peripheral wall thereof will be spaced from that of the bag 51 inwardly of their inter-connected mouths. The spacing is identified in FIG. 4 by the numeral 54. In preparing this last embodiment of the invention, before the introduction of the bag 52 to the bag 51 and a sealing connection therebetween, there is introduced in the bottom of the outer bag a charge of chemical 55. Also there is disposed in the bottom of the bag 51 within the charge of chemical 55 a small plastic bag 53. The latter has sealed therein a charge of a second chemical 56. Of course, in accordance with the invention concepts, the bag 53 is susceptible to rupture upon firmly applied pressure.

As previously described with reference to the first three embodiments of the invention illustrated, the chemicals 55 and 56, normally separated by the bag 53, will be chosen so that on contact and intermixture thereof there will be produced either an endo-thermic or an exo-thermic reaction. This will depend on the nature of the application of the chemical heat transfer unit in question. If the unit is to be a cooling unit, then the chemicals may be such as previously described by way of example but not by way of limitation. If there is to be a heating action to take place, then the chemicals will be chosen accordingly.

With the chemicals placed in the bottom of the bag 51, the inner bag 52 is then inserted and the mouth thereof sealed coextensively to the mouth of the bag 51. One thereby produces an envelope-type heat transfer unit having a pocket 57 defined in one end thereof by the bag 52. When it is desired to use this heat transfer unit, one need only insert, either fully or partially, a material to be cooled or heated, either in pre-packaged or bulk form. The mouth of the envelope container unit 50 may be so provided that it may be adhesively and temporarily sealed to form a seal of the pocket 57. Then one can squeeze inwardly of the container unit to compress the envelope 53, causing it to rupture. As this occurs, there is immediate contact and interaction between the chemicals 55 and 56 to produce the required endo-thermic or exo-thermic reaction.

In any case, whether the mouth of the envelope unit 50 is left open or closed as suggested, the flexible bag 51 may be manipulated to assist in the rapid mixture of the chemicals and the bringing them in coextensive contact with the outer wall of the inner bag 52. The heat transfer action which will take place is thereby made extremely efficient and, as in the case as previously described, there is a rapid and simple action to either heat or cool the contents of the material or container 58 that has been disposed in the pocket defined by the bag 52. Particular note should be taken that in this case as well as in the previous cases a multi-walled container construction is utilized in a manner to insure that maximum exposure is made of the pocket walls to facilitate the most rapid and most complete heat transfer action possible.

From the above description it will be apparent there is thus provided a unit of the character described possessing the particular features of advantage before enumerated as desirable but which obviously is susceptible of modification in form, proportions, detail construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the principle involved or sacrificing any of its advantages. It is emphasized that the chemicals described by way of example herein are not to be construed as limiting since in and of themselves the specific chemical forms no part of the present invention. It is only necessary that physical properties of the respective chemicals shown are those which on contact and intermixture will produce the desired end heat transfer reaction.

While in order to comply with the statute invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural features, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown, but that the means and construction herein disclosed comprise only a few of the many modes of putting the invention into effect. The invention is therefore claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the legitimate or valid scope of the appended claims.

Attention is directed to the fact that representative of an extension of the embodiments described there is shown a modification of the construction of FIG. 4 of the drawings. In this case, the construction is entirely the same with the exception that the outer bag, designated as 51', has the mouth thereof extended beyond the mouth of the inner bag 52' which is sealingly attached. In such case it is provided that the portion 59 of the bag 51' extended beyond the mouth of the bag 52' may be tied together at 60, for example, and thereby form a sealed container unit. Of course, other methods of closing the portion 59 may be utilized without departing from the concept here indicated. As is self-evident, the embodiment of FIG. 5 may be utilized and brought into play in a manner similar to that of FIG. 4.

Claims

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A heat transfer unit comprising a multi-walled container structure embodying separate materials which are individually inactive but which on contact interact to produce a medium inducing heat transfer, said container structure including wall portions positioning one within the other and defining at least one sealed pocket and a further pocket, one of said pockets accommodating means to be treated by heat transfer, another of said pockets including therein a first portion of said inactive materials, a further portion of said inactive materials for interacting with said first portion having means maintaining the same in a separated non-contacting relation to said first portion, at least one of said portions of inactive materials being disposed in peripheral contact with wall portions of said multi-walled container structure and there being means included for inducing a distributed and intimate contact between said first and said further portions of said inactive materials and their interaction in adjacent and surrounding non contacting relation to the means to be treated by heat transfer.

2. A heat transfer unit as in claim 1 wherein peripheral portions of the wall portion defining said further pocket are disposed to be surrounded by at least one of said portions of inactive material.

3. A heat transfer unit as in claim 1 wherein said further portion of said inactive materials is normally contained in a pocket commonly containing the said first portion of said materials and a flexible wall portion of said container provides the means through which pressure may be applied to the means for maintaining a separated relation of said inactive material portions.

4. A heat transfer unit as in claim 1 wherein said first and further portions of said inactive materials are disposed in their inactive state to nest one within the other.

5. A heat transfer unit as in claim 1, characterized by said one pocket accommodating means to be treated being defined in one end of said container, the wall portions of said container being integrated to form a unitary structure and produce thereby said sealed pocket and said wall portions having flexing capability through the medium of which the contact and distribution of said inactive materials may be achieved.

6. A heat transfer unit as set forth in claim 1, wherein said multi-walled container structure has said pockets defined therein by recessing at least one wall portion thereof.

7. A heat transfer unit as in claim 1 characterized by the inner of said wall portions being connected in integrated relation to the outer of said wall portions to define therebetween a space about the pocket accommodating the means to be treated by heat transfer, said space providing for the disposal about the means to be treated by heat transfer of at least a portion of the interacting materials.

8. A heat transfer unit as set forth in claim 1 characterized by the inner of said container wall portions being defined by means dependent within outer of said wall portions, with which outer of said wall portions said dependent means is integrated.

9. A heat transfer unit as set forth in claim 1 characterized by said multi-walled container structure being comprised of flexible bag-like segments including an outer bag and a plurality of inner bags, one of said inner bags defining with said outer bag said one sealed pocket and per se providing a further pocket and one of said inner bags including one of said portions of inactive material.

10. A heat transfer unit as set forth in claim 1 characterized by said pockets being formed by layered flexible material peripheral portions of which are sealingly interconnected.

11. A heat transfer unit as set forth in claim 10 characterized by said layered flexible material providing plural pockets wall portions of which are flexible and disposing one within the other to provide said one sealed pocket and said further pocket and there being flexibly displaceable means intermediate said layered material to normally separate the respective portions of inactive material, pressure on which separating means through the outermost wall portion of said container providing for communication between said respective portions of inactive material.

12. A heat transfer unit including a container having means bridging one end to depend therein and form a receptacle for means to be heat treated and define within the outer wall of said container a relatively sealed pocket, said pocket accommodating therein a normally inactive component of a heat transfer material and in separated relation thereto a further normally inactive component of a heat transfer material which on contact with said first component will interact to provide a heat transfer medium, means normally separating said components to provide that one thereof is peripherally encompassed, at least in part, by the other, and the outer wall portion of said container providing means which when subjected to pressure will provide access between said components, said container and the means dependent therein being an integrated structure forming a unit wherein a chamber is provided about said dependent means within which said components may be shifted and moved to interact in closely surrounding relation to the means to be treated by heat transfer.

13. A heat transfer unit according to claim 12 characterized by said unit container being made of material deformable by hand squeezing to induce access between said components.

14. A heat transfer unit according to claim 12 wherein said container is made of film-like material subject to flexing and at least one of said components being in a flexible container disposed and arranged to rupture on pressure being applied to outer wall portions of said container.

15. An expendable package adapted to form an enclosure for means to be subjected to heat transfer including a container having flexible wall portions defining a hollow interior and a sealed pocket closed to opposite ends, within which pocket there are the respective normally inactive components of a heat transfer medium in separated relation, the means to be subjected to heat transfer being accommodated by one wall portion of said container and said container wall portions being conditioned for a squeezing pressure to induce communication between said components to effect and a contact and interaction therebetween and said sealed pocket providing a chamber within which the interacting components may be shaken to provide an enveloping heat transfer medium in respect to the means to be heat treated.

16. A heat transfer unit as in claim 15 characterized by the respective wall portions of said container being of flexible film-like plastic.

17. A heat transfer unit as in claim 16 characterized by wall portions of said container forming a sealed pocket wherein one of said components is received in a loose bulk form and the other of said components is enveloped in film-like flexible material which on squeezing said container is conditioned to rupture and provide said access between said components.

18. An expendable shelf package of a product which desirably is heated or cooled before using, including a container having a hollow interior and closed at its opposite ends, means providing a product accommodating recessed pocket within the container adapted to open through one end thereof, side walls of said pocket being spaced from container side walls, the bottom of said pocket being closed and spaced from the other end of said container, the open mouth of said pocket joining to said container at its said one end, removable means seating on the said one end of said container and sealing and closing the mouth of said pocket, charges of respective components of a heat transfer material in said container in the said other end thereof, with said components being separated from the other in an inactive state and arranged to be brought in interacting contact by a squeezing pressure applied to a part of said container toward its said other end, said container providing means for said interacting components toward the said one end of the container to achieve a surrounding intimately contacting relation with the exterior of said product accommodating pocket.

19. A package according to claim 18, wherein said container is constructed of a self-supporting material and is substantially symmetrical with flattened ends whereby the package may be inverted after squeezing of said container means and allowed to stand in a position applying the reacting materials directly to the exterior of said pocket.

20. A package according to claim 18, wherein said removable means closing the mouth of said pocket is a thin film-like member disposing substantially in the plane of the said one end of said container.

21. A package according to claim 18, wherein the said one end of said container is configured to serve as the lip of a cup or glass.

22. A package according to claim 18, wherein the means providing said pocket is an integral part of the container projecting unitarily from the said one end thereof.

23. A package according to claim 18, wherein said container is comprised of two similar cup-like elements disposing in an opposed relation with their open ends joined together in a sealed connected relation, the bottom of one of said elements being displaced inwardly to define said pocket whereby the means providing said pocket is an integral part of the container projected unitarily from the said one end thereof.