MXPA96005777A - Container with integral module to heat oenfriar the conten - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a module for mixing, in a selectable manner two materials, the module is characterized in that it comprises: a container having a container opening, the container holds inside the first of the materials, a lid placed in the opening of the container to selectively contain the second of the materials, the lid has a hollow lid body having a first and second ends, and an axis, a flexible member formed integrally with the lid body, the flexible member has an inner surface, an outer surface, at least one point on the inner surface moves in at least a partially axial direction with respect to the lid body between a retracted position and an extended position, in response to an axial force that is generated on the surface exterior of the flexible member, at least one elongate member formed integrally with the cap body, the elongate member t It has a proximal end placed at a point, and a distal end projecting from the point, and a breakable barrier, attached to the second end of the cap body, the distal end of the elongated member extends beyond the second end of the cap. lid body when the point on the inner surface is in the extended position

Description

CONTAINER WITH INTEC3RAL MODEL TO HEAT The present invention relates generally to containers for heating or cooling materials such as food, beverages, medicines and the like, and more specifically to a container that includes an internal module that adds heat or removes heat from the materials in the surrounding container. The containers may have integral modules for materials to be heated in the container, such as Japanese sake, coffee or soup. Examples of such containers are heated on their own, described in U.S. Patent No. 4,640,264, issued to Yamaguchi et al., And U.S. Patent No. 4,784,113, issued to Nagai et al. Such containers usually include an outer can, in which the food or beverage is sealed, and a sealed module or an inner can containing two chemical reagents. The reactants are stable when they are separated from one another, but when they are mixed they produce an exothermic reaction. It is known that combinations of other reagents will produce endothermic reactions that cool the content of the REF: 23422 container. (Both types of reaction involve a change in enthalpy). The inner can is usually placed adjacent to one end of the outer can. The inner can has two chambers, each of which contains one of the chemical reagents, separated by a breakable barrier such as a thin sheet of metal or a thin plastic film. Usually, one of the reactants is in solution and the other is in the form of solid or granular powder. A rod extends into the outer can at the adjacent end of the inner can. One end of the rod is adjacent to the barrier, and the other end terminates at a button outside the outer can. To start the reaction that heats or cools the contents of the outer can, the can is placed with one end facing up. Pressing the button pushes the rod down, which breaks the barrier and allows the liquid reagent to fall on the solid reagent. The end of the rod may have a widened head or. enlarged to facilitate complete perforation of the barrier. The heat produced by the resulting exothermic reaction or used by the resulting endothermic reaction is transferred between the lower can and the contents of the outer can by conduction. Exothermic reactions usually generate a gas, which is allowed to escape through the vent holes at the end of the container. When the reaction has ceased, the container is inverted. The second end of the outer can has a seal, such as a pull tab, which can be opened and through which the user can consume the heated contents. Self-heating or self-cooling containers known in the art are not economical to manufacture due to the piercing mechanism of the thin-film barrier usually having multiple components. The inner can contains solid reagent and has a short tubular cap that seals one end. The lid contains the liquid reagent. One end of the cap is sealed with the thin sheet barrier, and the rod extends through an opening in the other end of the cap. Pressing the button causes the rod to slide into the opening until it pierces the thin sheet barrier. Those who practice the technique have found that propelling a rod through a thin sheet opens a large conduit through which the liquid reagent can flow, thereby minimizing the time required for the liquid to drain from the cap to the rest of the liquid. can inside. However, the manufacture and assembly of multiple components increases the cost of the container. In addition, the liquid may leak between the rod and the opening in the cap through which the rod moves. Those who perform the technique have placed, therefore a ring of wax around the rod when it comes out of the inner can to improve the sealing. However, the step of adding wax increases the manufacturing complexity and, finally, the cost of the container. Containers that are self-heating and self-cooling, known in the art, can also generate leaks of the powder material which is the reaction product completed through the vent holes when the container is inverted. It would be desirable to provide an inner can or a module having a minimum number of separate parts and a maximum leakage resistance. It would also be desirable to provide a container with an improved seal between the inner can and the module and the outer can. These problems and deficiencies are clearly presented in the art and are solved by the present invention in the manner described in the following.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE. INVENTION In one aspect, the present invention comprises an outer container body for maintaining a material, such as a food, beverage or medicine and a sealed thermal module within the container body containing chemical reagents that are mixed by operation of the container by a user . The mixture of reagents, which may comprise any suitable chemical compound or mixtures thereof, produces an exothermic or endothermic chemical reaction, based on the selected reagents. The content of the body of the outer container surrounding a portion of the outer surface of the thermal module, therefore, facilitates the conduction of heat. In another aspect, the present invention comprises a novel module that can be used in the self-heating or self-cooling vessel, described above, to produce an exothermic or endothermic reaction. The module comprises a hollow body module that closes at one end and a module cover that seals the other end of the module body. The module body comprises a first material, and the module cover contains a second material. Although these materials may comprise any of the compounds or mixtures known in the art, in an illustrative embodiment, the first material is a solid reagent and the second material is a liquid reagent, which produces an exothermic or endothermic reaction when mixed. The cover of the module has a tubular lid body with a flexible member that closes one end and a breakable barrier, which closes the other end. The cap has one or more spikes or teeth extending toward the barrier from one or more points on the inner surface of the flexible member. With the exception of the barrier, the lid is of unitary construction. A user can press the outer surface of the flexible member with a finger to operate the container. Prior to its actuation, the flexible member is in a retracted position. In response to the force applied to the flexible member by the user, the pins move in an axial direction, ie towards the barrier and can also be radially dispersed. The double movement of the pins in both axial and radial direction promotes the complete perforation of the barrier and therefore a rapid mixing of the first and second materials. After removing pressure with the finger from the flexible member, it can be sealed or closed in the depressed or extended position with the spikes extended, or it can resume, resiliently, the retracted position. The flexible member may have any suitable shape that allows multiple points on its inner surface to move in at least a partially axial direction in response to a force having at least one component in that direction. For example, the inner surface of the flexible member may have a concave or plate shape (when viewed from inside the cap body) prior to the actuation of the container and may be extended to a convex shape by actuation. Alternatively, it may have a generally flat shape prior to the actuation of the container and may extend to a convex or bulbous shape (when viewed from inside the lid body) after it has been actuated. The shape of the inner surface of the flexible member can be described in terms of the positions of the multiple points therein. In the first example, before its actuation, different points of the inner surface of the flexible member are at different axial distances. If the inner surface of such flexible member has a shape that is symmetrical about its central axis, such as a hemisphere or other symmetrical dome, the points at different radial distances of the shaft are at different axial distances, and the points at any given radial distance they are at the same axial distance. In the last example, before its actuation, all points on the inner surface of the flexible member are at the same axial distance. Other additional shapes such as a accordion-like or button-shaped form may be suitable. In response to the driving force, the entire flexible member can be flexed, or only portions thereof can be flexed. However, a driving force can be applied to any movable or flexable, flexible or non-flexible portion. The flexible member can be made of a rigid material such as plastic or an elastomeric material such as rubber. The body of the module may have one or more vent holes positioned around the periphery of the lid which function as check valves to allow the gaseous products of a reaction to escape and at the same time reduce the leaks of solids thereto. Each vent can have one or more elastic fins. Each fin has at least one flange or edge that coincides with the flange of: another fin or a portion (not elastic) of the module body to form a seal. The fins remain firmly closed before activating the module, so they minimize the leakage of the solid reagent. When the module is activated, the fins flex and open the seal in response to the gas pressure inside the module body. The fins close as the pressure decreases. After the reaction has started in a container that heats itself or that cools itself, the user can turn the container over. After the reaction is completed, the user can remove the lid, such as a pull tab, to access the contents for consumption. Despite the reversed orientation of the module at this time, the closed vents minimize leakage of solid reaction products. (The liquid reagent does not leak because it is used and consumed in the reaction or is absorbed by the solids). The foregoing, together with other features and advantages of the present invention, will become more apparent when reference is made to the following specification, claims and appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is now made to the following detailed description of the embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the container, partially exploded; Figure 2 is a plan view of the container; Figure 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of Figure 1; Figure 5 is an enlarged view, similar to that of Figure 1, showing the actuation of the container; Figure 6 is a partial perspective view of the container of Figures 1-5; and Figure 7 is an enlarged view, similar to that of Figure 5, showing an alternative construction of the module cover.

DESCRIPTION OF ONE. PREFERRED MODALITY As illustrated in Figures 1-4, a container comprises a cylindrical container body 10, which may contain a beverage 12, and a thermal module 14 for heating the beverage 12. The thermal module 14 seals an end of the body 10. of the container and an end cap 15 with a pull-tab closure 16 of the type commonly used for sealing beverage cans, seals the other end. An exterior view of the end of the container in which the thermal module 14 is placed is shown in Figure 6. When the container is operated, as described below, the thermal module 14 generates heat, which is transferred by conduction to the beverage. 12. Subsequently, the container can be turned over and the pull tab 16 opened to allow the beverage 12 to be consumed. The thermal module 14 comprises a cylindrical module body 18 and a cylindrical module cover 20. The module cover 20 is of unitary construction and is made of a semi-rigid plastic, such as a high density polyethylene. The module cover 20 has a driver disk 22 and four pins 24 or teeth. A breakable barrier 34, made of thin metal sheet, is adhesively bonded to the cover 20 of the module. The barrier 34 seals the water 36 inside the cover 20 of the module. The body 18 of the module contains a solid chemical substance such as calcium oxide, commonly known as calcium oxide (quicklime). An annular cap channel 40 receives the flange 42 of the module body 18, thereby sealing the solid chemical substance 38 therein. The lid channel 40 may have crimps 44 that can be depressed, which improve the seal. The module body 18 is preferably made of a metal, such as aluminum. As mentioned in the above, the container is sealed at both ends. The sealing ring 46 ensures that the thermal module 14 in the body 10 of the container. The sealing ring 46 has a ring channel 48 which receives the hook-like flange 50 of the body 10 of the container. The sealing ring 46 is bent over the flange 50 to form an airtight seal. At the opposite end of the container, the end cap 15 has a similar end cap channel 51 which receives the opposite flange 53 of the body 10 of the container. The end cap 15 is bent over the lip 53 opposite the body 10 of the container in a similar manner. A sealing compound (not shown) of the type commonly used in the industry in the cans can be placed in the ring channel 48 to further improve sealing. The thermal module 14 is snapped into the opening of the sealing ring 46. The portion of the thermal module 14 which contacts the sealing ring 46 may have crimps 52 that can be depressed to further improve the seal. To operate the container, a safety seal 54, which adhesively attaches to the thermal module 14, must be removed or broken. The safety seal 54 minimizes the possibility of an improper opening or non-permitted actuation of the container. Although the security seal 54 can be made of plastic, a thin sheet, paper or other suitable film, preferably is transparent to allow observation of the actuator disk 22. The container may also have an outer cover 55 made of plastic that snaps onto the end of the body 10 of the container. The outer lid 55 not only further reduces the likelihood of improper operation, but may also be used to contain condiments such as a sugar bag (not shown) or a promotional item such as a coupon (not shown) between it and the security seal 54 The cover 55 can be transparent. As illustrated in FIG. 5, when an axially directed force is applied on or near the center of the actuator disk 22, it flexes toward the barrier 34. The distal ends of the pins 24 move axially and open radially apart to facilitate complete perforation of the barrier 34. The water 36 flows through the perforated barrier 34 and mixes with the solid chemical substance 38. The resulting exothermic reaction produces heat, which is transferred to the beverage 12 by conduction through a module body 18, and carbon dioxide, which escapes through the four vent holes 56 that are distributed around the flange 58. annular between the body 18 of the module and the cover 20 of the module. As best illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, the ventilation holes 56 can be constituted by four flexible triangular fins 60, which are in contact with each other when the pressures inside and outside the module 14 are equal, but which are separated to release the gas produced by the reaction. Alternatively, as illustrated in the embodiment shown in Figure 7, a vent can be formed by a single fin 160.

In the retracted position of the actuator disk 22, that is, before the container is actuated, the actuator disk 22 may have a convex or dome-like appearance when viewed from the outside of the container, as shown in FIGS. H.H. In its extended position, ie, after the container has been driven, the actuator disc 22 may have a concave or container appearance, as shown in Figure 5. The actuator disc 22 is preferably stable in its positions both extended and retracted, and closes under pressure in the extended position when the container is operated. The snap action provides a positive visual and tactile indication to the user that the container has been operated. At least a portion of the actuator disc 22 must flex during the transition between the retracted and extended positions. Illustrative embodiments, radial folds 62 facilitate this transition by reducing the amount of force required to flex drive disk 22. However, in other embodiments, the actuator disk 22 may have more, less or no radial fold 62. The pins 24 are distributed around the center of the actuator disk 22 at the same radial distance. The pins 24 can be formed by longitudinal cuts of a tubular cylinder that is integrally molded into the module cover 20. The resulting pins 24 have section sections in section form. Although in the illustrated embodiments, the module cover 20 has pins 24 distributed around the center of the driver disk 22, in other embodiments the module cover 20 may have only a single central pin. In addition, portions of the actuator disk 22 that are bent when the container is actuated can be any radial distance from the central axis and can have any suitable shape. They can be concentrated at one or more substantially discrete radial distances or can be continuous over all of the radial distances. In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1-6, the portions of the actuator disc 22 that are between the pins 24 are flexible, whereby they cause the pins 24 to separate when the container is actuated. In the alternative embodiment illustrated in Figure 7, however, the portions of the reciprocating reciprocating disk 122 are at greater radial distances than the spikes 124. The flat central portion of the driver disk 122, into which the spikes 124 are placed. , it does not flex. Therefore, the pins 124 do not separate radially when the container is actuated. Although the pins 124 preferably have a slight radial inclination with respect to the central axis of the container, the pins 124 remain in that orientation regardless of whether the driver disk 122 is in its extended or retracted position. Such an embodiment facilitates injection molding because the flexure areas are not adjacent to the pins 124. The body 10 of the container can be made of any suitable material, for example cardboard, metal or plastic. A cardboard body 10 resists heat conduction and therefore will not be uncomfortable for a user when holding it after actuating the container. However, it is known in the art that solid chemical substance 38 and water 36 can be substituted with any suitable combination of chemicals to produce an endothermic reaction, which can cool the beverage 12. In the modes that cool a carbonated drink, the body 10 of the container must be made of metal or plastic because such materials facilitate the formation of gas tight seals. Obviously, other embodiments and modifications of the present invention will be readily presented to those ordinarily skilled in the art in light of these teachings. Therefore, this invention is limited only by the following claims, which include all other modalities and modifications when considered together with the previous specification and the attached drawings. It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known by the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention, is the conventional one for the manufacture of the objects to which it relates. Having described the invention as above, property is claimed as contained in the following:

Claims (39)

1. A module for selectively mixing two materials, the module is characterized in that it comprises: a container having a container opening, the container holding the first of the materials therein; a lid placed in the container opening to selectively hold the second of the materials, the lid has a hollow lid body having a first and second ends, and a shaft, - "a flexible member formed integrally with the lid body. , the flexible member has an inner surface, an outer surface, at least one point on the inner surface moving in at least a partially axial direction with respect to the cap body between a retracted position and an extended position, in response to an axial force that is generated on the outer surface of the flexible member, at least one elongate member formed integrally with the cap body, the elongated member has a proximal end placed at a point, and a distal end projecting from the point, and a breakable barrier, attached to the second end of the cap body, the distal end of the elongate member extends beyond the second extremity or the lid body when the point on the inner surface is in the extended position.

2. The module according to claim 1, characterized in that the flexible member closes under pressure between a first position in which the point is on the inner surface in the retracted position, and a second position in which the point on the inner surface is in the extended position.

3. The module according to claim 1, characterized in that: a plurality of points on the inner surface moves in directions at least partially axial with respect to the lid body between a retracted position and an extended position, in response to an axial force experienced by the outer surface of the flexible member; and a plurality of elongate members are formed unitary with the lid body, each of the elongated members having a proximal end positioned at a point, and a distal end projecting from the point toward the lid body.

4. The module according to claim 3, characterized in that the inner surface has a plurality of points at different axial distances from the first end of the lid body when all the points are in the retracted position.

5. The module according to claim 4, characterized in that the elongated members have proximal ends at points at the same axial distance from the first end of the lid body.

6. The module according to claim 5, characterized in that the inner surface of the flexible member is substantially concave when each point is placed in which the proximal end of the elongated member is in its retracted position.

7. The module according to claim 6, characterized in that the flexible member closes under pressure between a first position in which each point is placed in which a proximal end of the elongate member is in its retracted position, and a second position in which the point at which the proximal end of the elongate member is in its extended position is placed.

8. The module according to claim 6, characterized in that: the flexible member is a disk having a central axis; and the points at which the proximal ends of the elongate members are placed at equal radial distances from the central axis and are separated by equal angles having a vertex on the central axis.

9. The module according to claim 8, characterized in that the elongated members are parallel to each other when the points in which the proximal ends are placed are in their retracted position.

10. The module - according to claim 9, characterized in that: the plurality of elongate members have arcuate outer surfaces; and the outer surfaces of the elongate members define adjacent segments of a circle when the points at which the proximal ends are in the retracted position are placed.

11. The module according to claim 10, characterized in that the number of elongated members in the plurality of elongated members is four.

12. The module according to claim 6, characterized in that: the flexible member has a plurality of radial folds separated - by equal angles to facilitate flexing of the flexible member; and the proximal end of each elongate member is placed between two folds.

13. The module according to claim 12, characterized in that: the flexible member is a disk having a central axis; and the points at which the proximal ends of the elongate members are placed at equal radial distances from the central axis and are separated by equal angles having a vertex on the central axis.

14. The module according to claim 13, characterized in that the elongate members are parallel to each other when the points at which the proximal ends are placed are in their retracted position.

15. The module according to claim 14, characterized in that: the plurality of elongate members have arcuate outer surfaces; and the outer surfaces of the elongate members define adjacent segments of a circle when the points at which the proximal ends are in the retracted position are placed.

16. The module according to claim 15, characterized in that: the number of elongated members in the plurality of elongated members is four; and the folds are separated by angles of 90 degrees.

17. A module for selectively mixing two materials, the module is characterized in that it comprises: an inner container having a container opening, the inner container retaining the first of the materials; a lid placed in the opening of the container to selectively contain the second of the materials, the lid has a hollow lid body having a first and second ends, and an axis; a flexible disc formed integrally with the cap body and positioned on the first end of the cap body, the flexible disc 'has a central axis coaxial with the axis of the cap body, an inner surface, an outer surface and a plurality of radial folds, a plurality of points on the inner surface moving in a partially axial direction with respect to the lid body, between a retracted position and an extended position, in response to an axial force experienced by the outer surface of the flexible disc; a plurality of elongate members formed integrally with the lid body, each of the elongate members having a proximal end positioned at a point of the plurality of points, and a distal end projecting from the point; and a breakable barrier, attached to the second end of the cap body, the distal end of each elongate member extends beyond the second end of the cap body when the point is placed on the inner surface in which the proximal end of the elongate member is in its extended position.

18. The module according to claim 17, characterized in that the flexible disc closes under pressure between a first position in which each point is placed in which the proximal end of the elongate member is in the retracted position, and a second position in which the point at which the proximal end of an elongate member is in its extended position is placed.

19. The module according to claim 18, characterized in that the points at which the proximal ends of the elongated members are placed at equal radial distances from the central axis and are separated by equal angles having a vertex on the central axis.

20. The module according to claim 19, characterized in that the elongated members are parallel to each other when the points at which the distal ends are placed are in the retracted position.

21. The module according to claim 20, characterized in that: the plurality of elongate members have arcuate outer surfaces; and the outer surfaces of the elongate members define adjacent segments of a circle when the points at which the proximal ends are in the retracted position are placed.

22. The module according to claim 21, characterized in that the number of elongated members in the plurality of elongated members is four.

23. A module for selectively mixing two materials, characterized in that it comprises: a container having an opening, the container retains the first of the materials; a lid placed in the opening of the container to selectively contain the second of the materials, the lid has a hollow lid body with a first and second ends, and an axis, the lid has a breakable barrier attached to the second end of the lid body and a plurality of elongated elements, each having a proximal end at the first end of the lid body, and a distal end extending toward the second end of the lid body; the distal ends of the elongated members move in unison partially axially and partially radially between a retracted position and an extended position, in response to an axial force generated by a movable portion of the cap; and the distal ends of the elongate members extend beyond the second lid body in the extended position.

24. The module according to claim 23, characterized in that the movable portion of the lid is a flexible disk.

25. The module according to claim 24, characterized in that the flexible disc closes under pressure between a first position in which each distal end is placed in the elongated member in its retracted position, and a second position in which each distal end is placed. of an elongated member in its extended position.

26. The module according to claim 25, characterized in that the elongate members are parallel and coaxial with the axis of the lid body when the distal ends are in their retracted position.

27. The module according to claim 26, characterized in that: the flexible disk has a plurality of radial folds separated from each other by equal angles; and the proximal end of each elongated member is between two folds.

28. The module according to claim 27, characterized in that: the elongate members have arcuate outer surfaces; and the outer surfaces of the elongate members define adjacent segments of a circle when the distal ends are placed in the retracted position.

29. The module according to claim 28, characterized in that the number of elongated members in the plurality of elongated members is four.

30. A container for selectably changing the temperature of a stored material, the container is characterized in that it comprises: a tubular container body for holding the stored material, the container body having a first and second ends; a thermal module inside the container body, the thermal module comprises a tubular module body for containing a first reagent, an annular rim around the module body and a module cover within the module body, the module cover contains a second reagent, the module cover - has an actuator end placed on the first end of the container body to initiate the mixing of the first and second reagents, the mixing of the reagents produces a reaction characterized by a change in the enthalpy; The annular flange has a plurality of ventilation holes between the cover and the module body to release pressure in the module body, the ventilation holes are closed when the pressure in the module body is substantially equal to the atmospheric pressure outside the module body. container; and a removable closure at the second end of the container body to provide access to the stored material.

31. The container according to claim 30, characterized in that each ventilation orifice comprises at least one flexible fin having one or more portions in substantial contact with at least the other flexible fin when the pressure inside the module body is substantially equal at the air pressure outside the container, the fins flex in response to a differential between the pressure in the body of the module and the atmospheric pressure.

32. The container according to claim 31, characterized in that each flexible flange has a portion in substantial contact with the other flexible fins.

33. The container according to claim 32, characterized in that the ventilation orifice comprises four flexible fins, each having two sides, each side being in substantial contact with one side of the other of the flexible fins.

34. The container according to claim 30, characterized in that the module cover has an annular cover channel for receiving a portion of the module body.

35. The container according to claim 30, characterized in that the flange has an annular flange channel for receiving a portion of the container body.

36. The container according to claim 35, characterized in that the container body has an annular projection for coupling with the recess formed correspondingly in the flange channel.

37. The container according to claim 30, characterized in that it additionally comprises a removable or removable cover for covering the driving end of the module stage.

38. The container according to claim 37, characterized in that the removable cover comprises a film.

39. The container according to claim 37, characterized in that the removable cover comprises a plastic lid. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An outer container is provided to hold a material, such as a food, drink or medicine with a sealed thermal module within the container. The thermal module contains chemical reagents that are mixed by user activation of the container. The mixture of the reactants produces an exothermic or endothermic chemical reaction, based on the selected reagents. The content of the outer container (10) that surrounds a portion of the outer surface of the thermal module (14) facilitates the conduction of heat. The thermal module (14) has a hollow module body (18) that closes at one end and a module cover (20) that seals the other end of the body. The body (18) of the module contains the solid reagent and the cover (20) of the module contains the liquid reagent. The cover of the module has a tubular section with a flexible member (22) that closes one end, and a barrier (34) that can be broken, which closes the other end. With the exception of the barrier, the lid is of unitary construction. The cap (20) has one or more pins (24) formed integy extending from the inner surface of the disc (22) towards the barrier (34). The pins (24) move in an axial direction towards the barrier (34) and can also be moved radially when the outer surface of the flexible member (22) or an actuator connected thereto is pressed by the fingers of the user. The double movement of the pins (24) in both axial and radial directions produces the complete perforation of the barrier (34) and therefore rapidly mixes the reactants.