Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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COMBINED VALVE CUP AND BOTTOM ASSEMBLY
5 FOR SELF-COOLING CONTAINER
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to self-cooling containers for
10 cooling a product, such as a beverage, and more particularly to retention
of heat exchange units in such containers.
Description of the Prior Art
It has long been desirable to provide a simple, effective and safe
15 device which may be housed within a container, such as a beverage
container, for the purpose of cooling a product, such as a beverage, on
demand. Such self-cooling devices, even if effective, normally will cool
the product with all of the attendant disadvantages thereof such as
environmental hazard, bulkiness, expense and the like. Various types of
20 devices have been developed to accomplish the desired self-cooling such
as devices which rely on chemical endothermic and exothermic reactions,
devices which require pneumatic circuits, devices using desiccant
absorbing agents and water, and devices which rely on well-known
electrical effects for both heating and cooling. Typical self-cooling
25 devices known to Applicant for chilling beverages and the like are
exemplified by U.S. Patent Nos. 2,460,765; 3,373,581; 3,636,726;
3,726,106; 4,584,848; 4,656,838; 4,784,678; 5,214,933; 5,285,812;
5,325,680; and 5,331,817.
Self-cooling devices utilized in the prior art exemplified by the
30 above-identified patents have generally been unsatisfactory. One of the
problems associated with conventional self-cooling devices has been
secure attachment of the heat exchange unit (HEU), particularly the valve
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assembly, to the container. In particular, the conventional means of
attaching the HEU, including its valve, to the container typically requires
some form of glue that requires expensive machinery to apply and must
be leak proof and food grade compatible. Moreover, a typical HEU
includes a separate valve cup for holding its valve, thereby further
increasing the cost and complexity of the finished container.
Consequently, some of the difficulties which have been encountered are
that the devices ~1 ) accidentally vent thus causing over pressurization of
the container, (2) cannot be discharged, (3) are not retained in place after
activation, 4) are ineffective, (5) cause leaks, and (6) are expensive to
attach.
What is needed therefore is a device which securely engages the
heat exchange unit, particularly the valve assembly, with the container
and which is simple, effective and safe.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The preceding and other shortcomings of prior art products are
addressed and overcome by the present invention which provides a
self-cooling container including a combined valve cup and bottom
assembly for securely engaging the HEU to the can bottom where user
activation occurs. The valve is crimped directly into the valve cup on the
combined valve cup and bottom assembly. The HEU is then attached to
the combined valve cup and bottom assembly of the present invention for
cooling of the beverage as will be explained further herein. Preferably, the
combined valve cup and bottom assembly is integrally attached to the
body or side wall of the container, thereby forming a two-piece assembly.
Alternatively, the combined valve cup, valve and bottom assembly is
attached by crimping to the body or side wall of the container, thereby
forming a three-piece assembly.
The foregoing and additional features and advantages of this
invention will become apparent from the detailed description and
accompanying drawing figures that follow. In the figures and the written
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description, numerals indicate the various features of the invention, like
numerals referring to like features throughout for both the drawing figures
and the written description.
BRIEF DES C RIPTIO N O F T HE D RA WIN G S
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a self-cooling beverage container
incorporating a combined valve cup and bottom lid assembly, with a valve
assembly disposed within said valve cup and a heat exchange unit (HEU)
attached to said assembly, in accordance with the present invention;
1 0 FIG. 2is a cross-sectional side view of the combined valve cup and
bottom lid assembly, with the valve assembly disposed within said valve
cup and the HEU attached to said assembly, as illustrated in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a view of the bottom lid of the combined valve cup and
bottom assembly illustrated in FIG. 1;
1 5 FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view of the HEU prior to being
mounted to the combined valve cup and bottom lid assembly, with the
valve assembly mounted in the assembly, as illustrated in FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a detailed cross-sectional side view of the valve cup with
the valve seated therein as illustrated in FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a self-cooling beverage container
incorporating a combined valve cup and bottom lid assembly, with a valve
assembly disposed within said valve cup and a HEU attached to said
assembly, in accordance with another embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 7is a cross-sectional side view of the combined valve cup and
bottom lid assembly, with the valve assembly disposed within said valve
cup and the HEU attached to said assembly, as illustrated in FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the bottom portion of the combined
valve cup and bottom lid assembly illustrated in FIG. 6;
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional side view of the HEU prior to being
mounted to the combined valve cup and bottom lid assembly, with the
valve assembly mounted in the assembly, as illustrated in FIG. 6;
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FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a self-cooling beverage
container including the HEU mounted to the combined valve cup and
bottom lid assembly illustrated in FIG. 1;
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the HEU shown in FIG. 1; and
FIG. 1 2(a) is a top view of the liner member of the HEU; and
FIG. 1 2(b) is a side view of the liner member as illustrated in FIG.
1 2(a).
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown generally a self-cooling
container 12 incorporating a combined valve cup and bottom lid assembly
1 O, with a valve assembly 20 disposed within said valve cup 34 (shown
in detail in FIG. 5) and a heat exchange unit (HEU) 16 attached to said
assembly. Referring now more specifically to FIG. 2, the container 12
including the HEU 16 mounted therein is illustrated in detail. As is therein
shown, the top end of the HEU 16 is mated to the combined valve cup
and bottom lid assembly 10 of the container 12. In accordance with an
advantage of the present invention, with the HEU 16 mounted in this
configuration, the need for specially designed filling apparatus or methods
is eliminated. The container 12 designed in accordance with the present
invention is virtually transparent during the bottling process, thus allowing
use of conventional beverage filling apparatus. In accordance with
another advantage of the present invention, the combined valve cup and
bottom assembly 10 securely retains the HEU 16 and the valve assembly
20 to the container 12, without the need for adhesives or expensive
machinery.
The self-cooling container 12 holds a product (not shown), such as
beer, soft drinks, fruit drinks and the like, constructed in accordance with
the principles of the present invention. For illustrative purposes, the
present invention is illustrated and described herein using a conventional
beverage container. The present invention may be implemented in both
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conventional and specially designed beverage containers. The present
invention is not limited, however, to providing self-cooling for beverage-
type containers. Rather, the present invention may be used to provide
self-cooling for a variety of different applications, including but not limited
5 to cooling beverage, food, chemical and industrial containers of various
sizes and shapes, as well as conventional refrigeration systems.
As is shown in FIG. 1, the HEU16is disposed inside the container
12, preferably crimped onto the combined valve cup and bottom lid
assembly 10 of the present invention for cooling of the beverage as will
10 be explained further herein. The valve cup and bottom assembly 10, as
illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 9 and described herein, shown mounted to
the bottom lid 14 of the container 12, may alternatively be adapted to be
mounted to another portion of the container 12, such as a top or side
portion. Moreover, the present invention is not however limited to the
15 HEU described herein or any related reference. Rather, the present
invention may be utilized to securely retain any conventional heat
exchange unit disposed in a container type device.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the HEU16 includes a chamber 18 and
actuator subassembly (not shown) which as explained in detail below,
20 mates with a valve assembly 20. The valve assembly includes a valve 22
having a valve stem 24. The chamber 18 contains one or more gases
which is employed to cool the beverage and is contained under pressure
in a compressed or liquefied state. One skilled in the art will appreciate
- that the mixture of the gases will vary depending on various factors,
25 including but not limited to the degree of cooling that is desired, the
nature of the gas, the pressure in the HEU 16, and the size of the
container with which the HEU 16 is used.
As is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the valve assembly 20 is initially
mounted on the valve cup 34 of the combined valve cup and bottom
30 assembly 10. The HEU16is then attached to the outer perimeter of the
valve cup 34. When disposed in the valve cup 34, the valve assembly 20
interacts with the actuator subassembly on the HEU16 for actuating the
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HEU 16. The valve cup 34 and the bottom lid 14, which is integrally
connected to the container 12, form a two-piece assembly 10. When the
valve assembly 20 is reciprocated axially, the valve assembly 20 will open
and close to allow the gas to discharge through the valve stem 24. The
5 valve stem 24 is substantially tubular in construction and protrudes axially
through the combined valve cup and bottom lid assembly 10 on one end
and cooperates with the valve 22 on the other end.
Referring now more specifically to FIGS. 2 and 3, the combined
valve cup and bottom lid assembly 10 is illustrated in detail. The bottom
10 lid 14 of the container 12 is integrally formed with the side walls 26 of
the container 12 and is preferably manufactured from aluminum, although
other materials including but not limited to steel may be used as well.
As is shown in detail in FIG. 5, the valve cup or inner receiving
portion 34 of the bottom portion 14 includes an aperture 28 defined in the
15 center portion thereof for receiving a portion of the valve stem 24. As
shown in detail in FIG. 3, the aperture 28 includes an inner support ring
30 disposed concentric with the valve stem 24 such that it surrounds and
encloses the portion of the valve stem 24 which protrudes from the
bottom portion 14. The support ring 30 may be conventional ring, such
20 as an elastomeric ring or gasket. Alternatively, the aperture 28 may
include an integrally formed inwardly extending lip which is rolled or
curled during fabrication to provide a rounded guide for the valve stem
24.
Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the inner receiving portion 34 extends
25 in a generally longitudinal direction (relative to the longitudinal axis of the
valve stem 24) from the aperture 28, along the shoulder portion 30 of the
valve 22. The inner receiving portion 34 then extends in a direction
parallel with the valve stem 24 and along the body portion of the valve
22, thereby forming a seat for the valve 22 to be mounted thereto. With
30 a cylindrically shaped valve, the inner receiving portion 34 is preferably
cylindrically shaped as well. The particular dimensions of the inner
receiving portion or valve cup 34 will therefore be defined by the
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particular geometry of the valve assembly 20 including the valve 22 and
valve stem 24. The inner receiving portion 34 then extends in an
outwardly latitudinal direction (relative to the longitudinal axis of the valve
stem 24), in a direction parallel with the valve stem 24 and then
5 continues in a latitudinal direction extending away from the center portion
of the bottom portion 14, forming a shoulder portion 36 and outer
periphery of the inner receiving portion 34 from which the HEU 16 is
crimped thereto.
The shoulder portion 36 then extends latitudinally away from the
10 center before forming an annular ridge 38. From the annular ridge 38, the
bottom portion 14 is integrally formed with the side walls 26 of the
container, which when combined with the valve assembly 20, integrated
and mounted thereto, forms the combined valve cup and bottom lid
assembly 10 of the present invention.
The valve assembly 20 is preferably secured to the inner receiving
portion 34 of the container 12 by crimping. In particular, the shoulder
and body portions 30 and 32 of the valve 22 are crimped onto outer
periphery of the inner receiving portion 34 by conventional means during
the fabrication process. Alternatively, the valve assembly 20 may
20 secured to the bottom portion 14 by other means, such as adhesion,
welding, snap fit, and the like. It will be recognized by those skilled in the
art that any adhesive which can be utilized to adhere the valve assembly
20 to the inner receiving portion 34 is compatible with the various
coatings that are internally in the container 12 and the product, e.g.
25 beverage, contained within, thus ensuring that there is no organic or toxic
contamination insofar as the product is concerned.
The bottom lid 14 of the container 12, which is fully integrated
with the body or side walls 26 of the container 12, is preferably
manufactured from the same material as the container 12. Since most
30 conventional containers are constructed from aluminum, the bottom lid 14
is typically constructed from aluminum as well. It will be skilled by those
skilled in the art that other materials, such as steel, may be used as well.
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The valve stem 24 and valve 22 are preferably manufactured from
polyester (PET), although other types of plastic, including but not limited
to polypropylene, polyethylene and nylon and the like may be used. One
skilled in the art will additionally appreciate that the dimensions of the
bottom lid 14 and the valve assembly 20 will vary depending on various
factors, including but not limited to the size of the HEU 16 and the
dimensions of the container 12 the HEU 16 is designed to cool.
As is shown in FIG. 4, the body portion 17 of the HEU 16 includes
a downwardly descending portion 40 ending in an outwardly extending
lip 42 for securing the HEU 16 to the valve cup and bottom assembly 10
of the present invention. In particular, the lip 42 of the HEU16is secured
to the shoulder portion 36 of the inner receiving portion or valve seat 34
- of the combined valve and bottom assembly 10 preferably by crimping.
Alternatively, other means of retaining the HEU 16 to the combined valve
cup and bottom assembly 10, such as clamping, welding, snap fitting,
adhesion may be used as well. The extending lip 14 is preferably
manufactured from the same material as the container 12 and/or the HEU
16, although other materials, such as aluminum or steel may be used as
well.
Referring to FIGS. 6 through 9, an alternative embodiment of the
combined valve cup and bottom assembly 50 for retaining the HEU 16 is
illustrated therein. As is shown in detail in FIG. 6, the assembly 50 is
crimped to the body or side walls 52 of the container 54, rather than
integrally formed as shown in FIGS.1 through 5, thereby forming a three-
piece assembly 50. Referring now more specifically to FIGS. 7 and 8, the
combined three-piece valve cup and bottom portion assembly 50 is
illustrated in detail. In accordance with the present invention, the valve
cup 56 of assembly 50 is configured the same as the valve cup 34 of
assembly 10. From the outer perimeter 58 of the valve cup 56, at the
shoulder portion 74, the bottom lid 68 extends in a generally latitudinal
direction 60, then in a generally longitudinal direction upwards 62 and in
a generally latitudinal direction downwards 64, terminating in a retaining
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lip 66 for securing the bottom lid 68 onto the side wall 26 of the
container 12 preferably by crimping although other methods such as
seaming may be used as well. The valve cup 56, bottom lid 68 and
container 54 together form a three-piece assembly 50 which securely
5 retains the valve assembly 20 and the HEU 16 in place in accordance with
the present invention.
As is shown in FIG. 9, the body portion of the HEU 16 includes a
downwardly descending portion 40 ending in an outwardly extending lip
42 for securing the HEU 16 to the valve cup and bottom lid assembly 50
10 of the present invention. In particular, the lip 42 of the HEU 16 is secured
to the shoulder portion 74 of the inner receiving portion or valve seat 56
of the combined valve and bottom lid assembly 50 preferably by crimping.
Alternatively, other means of retaining the HEU 16 to the combined valve
cup and bottom lid assembly 50, such as clamping, welding, snap fitting,
15 adhesion may be used as well. The extending lip 42 is preferably
manufactured from the same material as the container 12 and/or the HEU
16, although other materials, such as aluminum or steel may be used as
well.
Referring to FIGS.10-12, operation of the HEU with the assembly
20 10 is illustrated and described herein. Operation of the HEU with
assembly 10 is for illustrative purposes only. The same operational
conditions apply for assembly 50. Referring to FIG.10, as is well known
in the art, the conventional beverage container 12 shown in FIG.
includes a body portion 120, a top portion 118 and a bottom portion 114.
25 The top portion 118 includes a lid 112 with a pull tab. The container 12
is disposed in an inverted or upside down position for activation, includes
a heat exchange unit (HEU) 16 mounted to the assembly 10 for
facilitating cooling of the beverage as will be explained further herein. As
is therein shown, the top end of the HEU 16 is mated to the combined
30 valve cup and bottom lid assembly 10.
By referring now more particularly to FIG. 11, 12(a) and 12(b),a
more detailed illustration of the HEU 16is provided. As is therein shown,
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-
the HEU 16 includes a chamber 128, liner member 134 and actuator
subassembly 144. The chamber 128 contains a gas 130, preferably a
liquid gas, which is employed to cool the beverage 126 and is contained
under pressure in a compressed or liquefied state. A variety of gases may
be used, including, but not limited to, isobutane, propane, carbon dioxide,
CFC's, HCFC's, and the like. The preferred gas 130 employed to cool the
beverage 126is HFC 152A (difluoroethane), typically stored at a pressure
of 85 p.s.i.a. at 75 degrees F. A gas mixture which may be used to cool
the beverage 126 is a mixture of butane and HFC 134A
(tetraf luoroethane) in a ratio of 60:40 (butane: H FC 134A) . Alternatively,
the chamber 128 may contain a compressed gas 130 such as air, carbon
dioxide, an air/CO2 mixture or the like. One skilled in the art will
appreciate that the mixture of the gases will vary depending on various
factors, including but not limited to the degree of cooling that is desired,
the nature of the gas 130, the pressure in the HEU16, and the size and
shape of the container with which the HEU 16is used.
As is illustrated in FIGS.10 and 11, the chamber 18 is enclosed by
a base 131, top end 156 and wall 132. The HEU 16 absorbs heat from
the beverage 126 through the wall 132 which is preferably manufactured
from a heat conducting material such as aluminum. Alternatively, the
HEU wall 132 may be manufactured from a plastic material, such as
polycarbonate, polyethylene and polyester and the like.
Referring now more specifically to FIGS. 12(a)-12~b), the liner
member 134 is illustrated in further detail. As will further be noted and
hereinafter more fully described, the liner member 134 increases the
effective heat transfer surface, thereby isolating the evaporation process
and reducing the time for the gas to evaporate. As a result of this
process, the time required for the heat transfer process is decreased,
thereby allowing for more effective cooling of the product.
As is therein shown, the liner member 134 is disposed concentric
with the HEU wall 132 and surrounds the inner surface 136 of the HEU
wall 132 to facilitate the flow of gas 130 throughout the HEU 16. The
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liner member 134 is preferably manufactured from a material, such as
polypropylene, which can be wetted by the liquid gas 130 to increase the
fiow of gas 130 between the liner member 134 and the wall 132 of the
HEU 16. Other plastics, including, but not limited to, polyester (PET) and
5 the like may be used as well.
The liner member 134 includes a plurality of ribs 138 spaced along
the outer surface 140 of the liner member 134 to form a plurality of
channels 42 along the inner surface 136 of the HEU wall 132. The
channels 142 extend substantially from the base 131 to the top 156 of
10 the HEU 16. In the preferred embodiment, the ribs 138 are disposed
substantially vertically, that is, substantially perpendicular to the base 130
of the HEU 16. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the
ribs 138 may be disposed in alternative configurations to provide for
effective cooling of the beverage 126. For example, the ribs 138 may
15 alternatively be spiraled to form a series of channels which are spiraled
along the length of the wall 132 of the HEU 16.
Typically, each rib 138 extends from the liner member 134
approximateiy 0.02 inch (0.51 mm) and is approximately 0.02 inch (0.51
mm) in width, and the liner member 134 is approximately 2.23 inches
20 (56.6 mm) in height and has a length sufficient to engage the entire inside
surface of the HEU wall 132. The ribs 138 are preferably spaced
approximately 10 degrees apart, thus creating a liner member 134
containing approximately 136 ribs. Those skilled in the art will readily
recognize that the dimensions of the ribs 138 and channels 142 will vary
25 depending on factors, including but not limited to the dimensions of the
HEU 16 in which the liner member 134 is used and the dimensions of the
container 12 the HEU 16 is designed to cool.
To activate the HEU 16, the container is inverted or disposed
upside down as is illustrated in FIG. 10 and the HEU 16is activated via
30 the portion of the valve stem 24 which projects axially beyond the
assembly 10 of the container 12. Once the HEU 16 has been activated,
the pressure on the liquefied gas 130 in the chamber 128 decreases
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12
which causes the liquefied gas 130 to flow into the bottom 131 of the
chamber 128. The initial heat transfer between the beverage 126 and the
liquefied gas 130 occurs within the plurality of channels 142. Heat from
the beverage 126 is absorbed by the liquefied gas 130 through the wall
132 of the chamber 128 as the liquefied gas 130 vaporizes by means of
adiabatic expansion. As the temperature of the liquefied gas 130
increases, the liquefied gas 130 begins to boil causing bubbles which are
pumped upward into the channels 142. This boiling action thus propels
the liquefied gas 130 upward into the channels 142 and causes virtually
the entire interior surface area of the HEU wall 132 to be bathed with
liquefied gas, even as the liquefied gas 130 level drops down to small
amounts. For example, even when the level of the liquefied gas 130
drops to a quarter of an inch, the liquefied gas 130 will continue to be
pumped up and bathe virtually the entire interior surface area of the HEU
wall 132. Further exposure of the upward flowing liquefied gas 130 to
the heat exchange surface of the chamber 128 causes the liquefied gas
130 to boil off. This progressive boiling and propagation of the liquefied
gas 130 insures that the entire interior surface of the wall 132 and the
base 131 of the chamber 128is bathed with liquefied gas 130. The liner
member 134 thus increases the effective heat transfer surface, thereby
isolating the evaporation process and reducing the time for the gas to
evaporate. As a result of this process, the time required for the heat
transfer process is decreased, thereby allowing for more faster cooling of
the product.
Normally, when a pressurized container containing a liquefied gas
is allowed to vent to atmosphere, liquefied gas will evaporate. During and
after the time it self cools to a new temperature corresponding to its new
vapor pressure, it absorbs heat from its surroundings. This heat causes
the liquefied gas to evaporate. Self cooling also generates some gas.
After self cooling takes place, all the gas that is generated is a result of
heat being transferred through the skin of the container from its
surroundings. The rate at which heat transfers into the container
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determines the rate at which gas is generated. Since vapor has such a
poor coefficient of heat, the only surface which has effective heat transfer
is the portion of the surface which is in contact with the liquefied gas.
As evaporation continues, the liquefied gas level decreases in the
5 container, thus the rate at which heat can be transferred decreases.
Where the pressurized container is inside a beverage container surrounded
by the beverage, there is a portion of the surface on the side of the
pressurized container in contact with the beverage where little heat
transfer is taking place because evaporated gas is immediately on the
10 other side of the skin of the container.
In accordance with an advantage of the present invention, by
incorporating the liner into the pressurized container, essentially the entire
surface area on the sides can be kept to transferring heat until nearly all
the liquefied gas has been evaporated. Since evaporation can only occur
15 where the required heat is available, evaporation on the sides will only
occur in the vertical channels. The gas that is generated forms bubbles
which travel up the channels to the top. When they burst, the gas
collects in the top of the container and eventually exits out the valve
opening to the atmosphere. As the gas bubbles travel upward, they carry
20 liquefied gas with them, thus keeping the entire side wall bathed with
liquefied gas regardless of the liquefied gas level in the container. The
entire side of the wall remains effective throughout the heat transfer
process. As liquefied gas evaporates, it is replaced by liquefied gas
flowing into the bottom of the channels. The net result is a significant
25 decrease in the time required to chill the beverage.
In accordance with an advantage of the present invention, when a
mixture of gases is desired, the present invention does not require the
gases to azeotrope because of the local agitation that occurs. In other
words, as a result of the bubbling which occurs and the isolation of the
30 evaporation process, a mixture of gases will still evaporate and maintain
their initial percentages throughout the evaporation process without
having to be azeotropic.
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14
In operation, the valve stem 24, when reciprocated axially will open
and close the valve 22 to allow the gas to discharge through the stem 24.
For activation of the HEU16, the container 12 is as illustrated in FIG.10,
inverted or positioned upside down, such that the assembly 10 of the
5 container 12 is exposed for activation.
In a typical operation, when the valve 22 is closed, i.e., when an
elastomeric ring or gasket covers the openings in the valve stem 24, the
chamber 128 is sealed and neither the liquefied or evaporated gas 130
can escape from the HEU16. When the actuator mechanism is activated,
10 it contacts the valve stem 24 and causes the valve stem 24 to move
upwardly relative to the elastomeric ring. Valve designs are also possible
wherein the actuator mechanism causes lateral displacement of the stem
24 in the gasket which allows gas to flow. When the stem 24 is moved
up, the openings are no longer blocked by the elastomeric ring or gasket
15 and fluid communication is established between the gas in the chamber
128 and the axial passageway in the stem 24. Thus, upward movement
of the stem 24 releases the pressure in the chamber 128 and allows the
gas 130 to expand and evaporate and evaporative cooling occurs in the
HEU 16. The HEU 16 absorbs heat from the beverage through the
20 external wall of the HEU 16 which is preferably formed from a heat
conductor like aluminum. The gas 130 flows through the passageway
and is ultimately exhausted from the container 10 through the opening
produced by valve stem 24.
It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present
25 invention is not limited to what has been shown and described
hereinabove, nor the dimensions of sizes of the physical implementation
described immediately above. The scope of the invention is limited solely
by the claims which follow.
