Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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SELF-CONTAINED, PRESSURE-ACTIVATED COOLING DEVICE
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the mechanical arts. In particular, the
present invention
relates to self contained beverage coolers which may be activated upon demand
by the use of
a pressure responsive valve.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
There are many beverages that may be stored almost indefinitely at average
ambient
temperatures of 20°- 25° C, but require cooling immediately
before consumption. In general,
the cooling of these beverages is accomplished by electrically-run
refrigeration units. The use
of these units to cool such beverages is not always practical, because
refrigerators generally
require a source of electricity, they are not usually portable, and they do
not cool the beverage
quickly.
An alternative method for providing a cooled material on demand is to use
portable
insulated containers. However, these containers function merely to maintain
the previous
temperature of the beverage placed inside them, or they require the use of ice
cubes to provide
the desired cooling effect. When used in conjunction with ice, insulated
containers are much
more bulky and heavy than the beverage. Moreover, in many locations, ice may
not be readily
available when the cooling action is required.
Ice cubes have also been used independently to cool beverages rapidly.
However, use
of ice independently for cooling is often undesirable because ice may be
stored only for limited
periods above 0 ° C. Moreover, ice may not be available when the
cooling action is desired.
Most attempts to build a self contained, miniaturized cooling device have
depended on
the use of a refrigerant liquid stored at a pressure above atmospheric
pressure, so that the
refrigerant vapor could be released directly to the atmosphere. Unfortunately,
many available
refrigerant liquids have serious drawbacks when used to cool beverages. For
example, the
liquids are either flammable, toxic, harmful to the environment, or exist in
liquid form at such
high pressures that they represent an explosion hazard in quantities suitable
for the intended
purpose. Conversely, other available refrigerant liquids acceptable for
discharge into the
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atmosphere (such as carbon dioxide) have relatively low heat capacities and
latent heats of
vaporization necessitating larger devices. As a result, cooling devices
releasing carbon dioxide
are bulkier than is commercially acceptable for a self contained device.
The prior art discloses numerous disposable beverage containers having various
types
of self contained cooling devices therein. However, most cooling devices have
thus far been
unduly complicated and expensive. One reason for the complexity of each of the
devices has
been the need to construct a mechanism to activate the cooling process upon
demand. To
accomplish this task, the prior art utilizes various ways of attaching the
cooling device to the
flip-top tab portion of the beverage container. Such a construction
compromises the
effectiveness of the cooling apparatus and seriously limits the type of
cooling devices which
may be incorporated into beverage containers. Moreover, the mechanisms take up
valuable
space within the container so that less beverage can fit within it;
alternatively, they require the
use of an unduly large container.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,911,740 discloses a self contained cooling device in which a
cooling
effect is produced by causing a refrigerant liquid to evaporate under reduced
pressure in a first
sealed chamber and in the process absorb heat from its surroundings. The
resulting refrigerant
vapor is then adsorbed or absorbed by a desiccant housed in a second, separate
chamber. To
achieve an effective cooling action, both the evaporative housing and the
desiccant or sorbent
housing must be maintained at a vacuum pressure level. The desiccant housing,
in particular
must have a substantial vacuum condition.
However, there remains a definite need for self contained cooling devices
having
improved effectiveness. There remains a further need for self contained
cooling devices that
take up a minimum amount of space in a beverage container. There remains a
still further need
for self contained cooling devices that are simple and inexpensive to
manufacturer and to install
in beverage containers. The present invention satisfies these and other needs
and provides
further related advantages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is embodied in a self contained cooling device in a
pressurized
host container comprising (1) a first housing at least partially compressible
containing a
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vaporizable liquid, (2) a second evacuated housing containing a sorbent for
the liquid, the
second housing being contained within the first housing and having a breakable
shell, and (3)
a trigger for breaking the shell of the second housing and exposing the
sorbent within the
second housing to the vaporizable liquid in the first housing when the
pressure within the host
container is lowered below a predetermined value.
The present invention is further embodied in a system for cooling a substance
comprising (1) a pressurized host container, (2) a self activated cooling
device comprising a
first housing at least partially compressible containing a vaporizable liquid,
a second evacuated
housing containing a sorbent for the liquid, the second housing being
contained within the first
housing and having a breakable shell; and a trigger for breaking the shell of
the second housing
and exposing the sorbent within the second housing to the vaporizable liquid
in the first housing
when the pressure within the host container is lowered below a predetermined
value.
Specifically, the present invention comprises a temperature changing device
that is
immersed in and capable of operating physically unattached to a pressurized
liquid filled host
container or aluminum can. The temperature changing device is a self contained
unit having
at least two separated housings, the first housing containing an evaporant
liquid at low pressure
to be adsorbed or absorbed by a sorbent or desiccant and the second housing
being substantially
evacuated and containing that sorbent or desiccant. Thus, when a communication
channel is
opened between the two housings, there is an associated drop in pressure in
the first housing
due to the evacuated condition of the second housing. The drop in pressure
causes the liquid
in the first housing to vaporize, and this liquid-to-gas phase change results
in removing heat
equal to the latent heat of vaporization of the evaporated liquid from the
first housing, thereby
cooling the first housing. As a result, the exterior walls of the first
housing in contact with the
beverage are cooled, thereby cooling the beverage.
Adequacy of the cooling effect, however, requires that the problems referred
to above
are sufficiently dealt with. To assure that the desiccant housing is
adequately evacuated, any
desiccant used needs to be thoroughly activated. Alternatively, a suitable
phase change material
may be included with the desiccant as a heat absorber.
The removal of too great a level of heat from the first housing can cause any
liquid
contained within the housing to freeze. To avoid this problem and to provide a
continuous
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stream of water or other liquid to be evaporated, it is desirable to coat the
inner wall of the
evaporative housing with a sintered heat pipe material or micropore material
which will keep
a substantial amount of the liquid (water) entrained in the wall.
To activate the cooling process, the user merely opens a flip-top tab, or
other opening
device which releases the pressure from within the beverage container so that
a pressure
responsive means allows communication between the two separated housings. The
first
exemplary embodiment utilizes two sealed housings, one inside the other, with
the inside
housing containing a desiccant and a phase change material, suitably mixed.
The inside
housing is evacuated to a hard vacuum and is in the form of an ampule with a
knob or
projection at each end with glass sidewalk, preferably pre-scored. At the
lower end of the inner
housing, the knob is secured with clips to the outer housing which is in the
form of a cylinder
closed on one end. At its upper end, the outer housing containing a
refrigerant liquid, is closed
via a diaphragm. A clip secured to the inside of the diaphragm is adapted to
capture the
projection on the inner housing. A bridge member made from an elastic material
which spans
the outside of diaphragm may be torsionally twisted to displace the diaphragm
into a position
where the clip captures the upper knob on the ampule. When the cooling device
is placed in
the host container and the host container is filled and pressurized, the
additional pressure further
displaces the diaphragm away from the bridge and the bridge is released from
its twisted
position, allowing the diaphragm to move upward when the pressure applied to
it is reduced
below a predetermined state. The device remains in this condition until the
pressure is released
from the host container at which time the diaphragm returns to its normal or
unloaded position.
In so doing, the movement of the inner housing causes the clip to pull the
captured projection
upwardly, fracturing the ampule and communicating the contents of the
evacuated inside
housing with the refrigerant fluid, which may be water. This interaction
causes the refrigerant
fluid to vaporize, cooling the walls of the outside housing and, hence, the
contents of the host
container. The resulting vapor flows into the desiccant and is absorbed or
adsorbed and the heat
absorbed by the phase change material. The sintered heat pipe or micropore
material described
above may be used to coat the inside and/or outside of the evaporative
housing.
In a second exemplary embodiment, the knob and projection of the inner housing
are
removed for a glass ampule structure with a pre-scored circumferential recess.
Replacing the
clips securing the knob on the inner housing is a receiving base made up of a
plurality of
receiving arms with gripping fingers extending vertically upward to secure the
inner housing
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at the recess. Replacing the clips securing the projection on the inner
housing is a locking
structure made up of a plurality of grabbing arms with grasping fingers
extending vertically
downward to secure the inner housing at the recess when the bridge spanning
the diaphragm
is twisted so as to force the diaphragm downwards. After being placed in the
host container and
during the host container sealing process, the diaphragm is displaced further
downwards by the
increased pressure within the container, thus releasing the bridge from its
twisted position. The
eventual release in pressure due to the opening of the beverage container
causes the diaphragm
with the secured inner housing, and thus the locking structure, to move
upwards while the
receiving base remains stationary. The counteracting forces applied to the
inner housing causes
it to fracture resulting in the cooling of the beverage as previously
described.
In a third exemplary embodiment, a column of dissolvable sugar mounted to the
bridge
replaces the elastic torsional bridge as the device displacing the diaphragm
in a downwards
position during assembly. After the beverage is introduced into the host
container and the host
container is sealed, the column dissolves into the beverage allowing for the
diaphragm to freely
move upwards when the pressure within the container is reduced below a
predetermined value
so as to fracture the inner housing.
In a fourth exemplary embodiment, a leaf spring secured by a small amount of
sugar or
salt to the bridge replaces the dissolvable sugar column in displacing the
diaphragm in a
downwards position during assembly. The leaf spring has a memory such that it
tends to
straighten out, but is held in a bowed configuration against the diaphragm.
After the beverage
is introduced into the host container and the host container is sealed, the
sugar or salt securing
the leaf spring dissolves, whereby the spring straightens out allowing for the
diaphragm to
freely move upwards when the pressure within the container is reduced below a
predetermined
value so as to fracture the inner housing.
In a fifth exemplary embodiment, the outer housing is fully compressible with
a series
of bellows to form an accordion-like structure. When one of the previously
described ampule
configurations is placed within the outer housing during assembly, it is
secured by the receiving
base while the locking structure is placed on top to a point where the
grasping fingers do not
sit in the recess. When the beverage is introduced and during the sealing
process of the host
container, the outer housing compresses such that the grasping fingers on the
locking structure
slide within the circumferential recess. The eventual release in pressure
within the host
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container due to its opening causes the outer housing with the glass ampule to
move upwards
and fracture the ampule resulting in the cooling of the beverage as previously
described.
Though the temperature changing devices herein are disclosed in conjunction
with a
beverage container, it will be understood that they can be applied to any
container whose
contents are under a pressure different from atmospheric pressure, including
evacuated
housings.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent
from the
following description of the preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with
the
accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of
the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a pressurized host container with a
pressure activated
temperature changing device shown in phantom;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view showing details of the
temperature
changing device of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3A is a top plan view of the device of FIG. 2;
FIG. 3B is a fragmentary section view of the device of FIG.2, partly in
phantom, as seen
from the side in an alternate operating position;
FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view of the device of FIG. 2 take along line
4-4 from
FIG. 3B;
FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the device of FIG. 2 shown in an alternate
operating
position;
FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view of the device of FIGS. 2-5 as it
appears as a result
of pressure from the host container;
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FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the device of FIGS. 2-6 within the host
container as it
appears following the release of pressure from the host container;
FIG. 8 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view showing details of a
second
exemplary embodiment of a temperature changing device;
FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view of a third exemplary embodiment of a
temperature changing device before placement within the host container of FIG.
1;
FIG. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view of a fourth exemplary embodiment of a
temperature changing device before placement within the host container of FIG.
1; and
FIG. 11 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view showing details of a
fifth exemplary
embodiment of a temperature device before placement within the host container.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
To exemplify the device in accordance with the invention, the following
description may
concentrate primarily on a self contained cooling device for use in a soda can
or a beer can. It
should be readily apparent to the skilled artisan that the description, with
little modification,
might also apply to any other pressurized system wherein cooling is desired.
Further, there can
be modifications in the equipment used to accommodate other systems.
FIG. 1 shows a typical pressurized beverage host container 10 commonly made
from
aluminum or steel that is used to contain a beverage such as beer, soda,
seltzer water, or other
carbonated or pressurized drinks. Typically, the pressure within such
containers when sealed
ranges from 35 psi to 95 psi. The standard 12 ounce soda and beer can is 4 3/4
inches high with
a diameter of 2 5/8 inches at its widest point and the standard 16 ounce beer
can is 6 '/2 inches
high with a diameter of 2 5/8 inches at its widest point.
The host container 10 is opened by means of a flip-top or releasable tab (not
shown)
which is flipped or pulled off to provide an opening. When the container is
opened as
described, the pressure from within the container is released.
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A self contained, pressure-activated cooling device in accordance with the
invention,
generally at numeral 60, is shown within host container 10. Although the
device shown is
generally cylindrical, it may be any suitable shape so long as its contact
with the beverage is
substantial.
FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the pressure-activated cooling
device 60
shown inside the host container 10. Cooling device 60 consists of an inner
housing 64 and an
outer housing 62. Both housings 62, 64 are cylindrical in shape and the
opposing ends of both
cylinders are sealed so that they are impermeable, such that their respective
contents are not in
communication with each other or the contents of the host container 10.
The inner housing 64 is formed as a sealed ampule made of glass such as soda
lime or
born silicate, or any other non-permeable, frangible material. In some
embodiments, the sides
of housing 64 are substantially thinner (0.010 inches to 0.030 inches) than
the ends (0.050
inches to 0.060 inches). The ampule is sealed at one end as a result of a
vacuum formation
process which leaves the glass smooth and bulbous. The other end is later
sealed to permit the
filling of ingredients and evacuation to take place in a single operation.
The side of inner housing 64 is pre-scored as at line 74 such that when a
predetermined
level of tension is applied to the glass, it fractures at or near line 74. The
pre-scoring is a
general surface abrasion that is created either through blasting using sand or
other suitable
abrasive or through a deliberate and linear surface deformation. In the
embodiment shown in
FIG. 2, the inner housing 64 has a single, annular score line positioned
substantially mid-way
along the length of the housing 64. However, this score line may be positioned
elsewhere along
the length of the housing such that an adequate amount of desiccant 28 remains
in the bottom
portion of the fractured housing 64.
The ends of glass housing 64 are each formed of relatively heavy glass. Each
end
terminates in an engageable portion. For example, the lower end terminates in
a knob 76, while
the top end terminates in a protuberance 78 having a barbed or mushroom-like
configuration.
Before sealing, the inner housing 64 is filled with appropriate materials
including a
sorbent or desiccant 28, preferably commingled with a heat-removing material.
The sorbent
material preferably absorbs or adsorbs all the vapor produced by the liquid,
while complying
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with all applicable government safety standards for use in an environment.
Suitable sorbents
include but not limited to: barium oxide, magnesium perchlorate, calcium
sulfate, calcium
oxide, activated carbon, calcium chloride, glycerine silica gel, alumina gel,
calcium hydride,
phosphoric anhydride, phosphoric acid, potassium hydroxide, and sodium
sulfate.
The heat-removing material is one of three types: (1) a material that
undergoes a change
of phase when heat is applied; (2) a material that has a heat capacity greater
than the sorbent;
or (3) a material that undergoes an endothermic reaction when brought in
contact with the liquid
refrigerant. Suitable phase change materials include but not limited to:
paraffin, naphthalene
sulphur, hydrated calcium chloride, bromocamphor, cetyl alcohol, cyanamide,
eleudic acid,
lauric acid, hydrated calcium silicate, sodium thiosulfate pentahydrate,
disodium phosphate,
hydrated sodium carbonate, hydrated calcium nitrate, Glauber's salt,
potassium, neopentyl
glycol, sodium and magnesium acetate.
The phase change materials remove some of the heat from the sorbent material
simply
through storage of sensible heat because the phase change materials heat up as
the sorbent heats
up, removing heat from the sorbent. However, the most effective function of
the phase change
materials is in the phase change itself. An extremely large quantity of heat
is absorbed in
connection with the phase change (i.e. change from a solid phase to a liquid
phase, or change
from a liquid phase to a vapor phase). During the phase change, there is
typically little change
in the temperature of the phase change materials, despite the relatively
substantial amount of
heat required to effect the change, which heat is absorbed during the change.
Another requirement of any of utilized phase change materials is that it
change phase
at a temperature greater than the expected ambient temperature of the material
to be cooled, but
less than the temperature achieved by the sorbent material upon absorption of
a substantial
fraction (i. e. one-third or one-quarter) of the refrigerant liquid. Thus, for
example, in the
cooling devices according to the present invention, the phase change should
take place at a
temperature above about 30°C, preferably above about 35°C but
preferably below about 70°C,
and most preferably below about 60°C.
Turning to the details of the construction of the outer housing 62, the outer
housing is
formed as a deep drawn cylinder, with one end closed and the opposing end
having a peripheral
flange 70. The lower surface of the peripheral flange forms a roll seal with a
corresponding
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flange 72 to secure a dish diaphragm 66 and effectively seal the outer housing
62. Diaphragm
66 flexibility is enhanced by a single fold bellows, the bottom of which is
formed away from
and parallel to the plane of the diaphragm 66 to form the corresponding flange
72.
Extending down from the center of the inner surface of the diaphragm 66 is
attached a
clip 82 for engaging the protuberance 78. Because of diaphragm 66 flexibility,
the diaphragm
66 can move a predetermined amount along the longitudinal axis of housing 64,
without
causing the ampule to shatter.
The diaphragm 66 is made of the same material or different material as the
outer
housing 62. Preferably both are made of an aluminum alloy.
Centered over the diaphragm 66 and extending axially from the periphery of the
outer
housing 62, is a metal bridge 68. The bridge is attached on to the lower
surface of peripheral
flange 70. The bridge 68 is formed from a strip of elastic metal, such as
phopshor bronze, with
two right angles overlaying the outer housing 62 as illustrated in FIG. 3A.
As best seen in FIG. 3A , the bridge 68 is a strip of metal extending across
the diameter
of the diaphragm 66. As shown in FIG. 4, during assembly, the diaphragm 66 is
manually
depressed while the portion of the bridge 68 extending over the top of
diaphragm 66 is
manually twisted approximately 90 degrees so that it contacts the diaphragm
and is retained
between a pair of spaced apart projections 86. As long as the bridge remains
in this twisted
position it prevents upward movement of the diaphragm 66 (see FIG. 3B).
FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the cooling device further illustrating the
bridge in its
twisted position. In this position, the bridge 68 contacts the top of
diaphragm 66 deforming it
somewhat and pushing clip 82 downwardly such that it engages the protuberance
78. It should
be understood that the diaphragm 66 and bridge seek the position shown in FIG.
2 and are only
held in the position shown FIG. 5 because the bridge is in a locked position
between the
protrusions 78. The bridge 68 remains in the locked position during storage
and when initially
placed in the unpressurized host container 10. However, once the contents of
the container are
sealed, under pressure, the cooling device is subjected to a substantial
pressure loading. The
pressure loading against diaphragm 66 displaces the diaphragm away from the
bridge 68
releasing the bridge from its locked position and causing the bridge to return
to a position as
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shown in FIG. 6.
Secured to the inside surface of the lower end of outside housing 62 are a
pair of spring
clips 80 which snap into a constricted part of knob 76 so as to engage the
knob and secure the
lower end of housing 64 to the bottom of the outer housing.
Outer housing 62 contains a refrigerant liquid 40 and is substantially
evacuated. The
liquid and the sorbent must be complimentary (i.e. the sorbent must be capable
of absorbing or
adsorbing the vapor produced by the liquid), and suitable choices for these
components are any
combination that provides for rapid beverage cooling, is compact, and meets
all applicable
government safety standards.
Suitable refrigerant liquids used in the present invention have a high vapor
pressure at
ambient temperature so that a reduction of pressure will produce a high vapor
production rate.
The vapor pressure of the liquid at 20°C is preferably at least about
9mm Hg, and more
preferably is at least about 15 or 20 mm Hg. Suitable refrigerant liquids
include: various
alcohols, such as methyl alcohol or ethyl alcohol; ketones or aldehydes such
as acetone and
acetaldehyde; water and freons such as freon C318, 114, 21, 11, 114B2, 113 and
112. The
preferred liquid is water.
In some embodiments, the refrigerant liquid is mixed with an effective
quantity of a
miscible nucleating agent having a greater vapor pressure than the liquid to
promote ebullition
so that the liquid evaporates even more quickly and smoothly, while preventing
the liquid from
super-cooling. Suitable nucleating agents include ethyl alcohol, acetone,
methyl alcohol, propyl
alcohol and isobutyl alcohol, all of which are miscible with water. For
example, a combination
of a nucleating agent with a compatible liquid might be a combination of 5%
ethyl alcohol in
water or 5% acetone in methyl alcohol. The nucleating agent preferably has a
vapor pressure
at 25°C of at least about 25 mm Hg and, more preferably, at least about
35 mm Hg.
Alternatively, solid nucleating agents may be used, such as conventional
boiling stones used
in chemical laboratory applications.
Outer housing 62 further includes an inner coating of wicking material 73 (see
FIG. 1)
for drawing and maintaining a desired amount of water or other suitable
refrigerant liquid 40
in contact with the interior surface of the housing 62. Preferred wicking
materials include
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microporous metals or other hygroscopic materials, such as sintered heat pipe
material or glass
paper.
The refrigerant liquid 40 collects in very thin layers among the interstices
of the
microporous or sintered heat pipe wicking material 73. This arrangement
spreads much of the
refrigerant liquid 40 over a comparatively large area where it is
substantially instantly exposed
to the substantial drop in pressure when the two housings 62, 64 are in
communication causing
it to flash into vapor. After the initial drop in pressure, the refrigerant
liquid 40 continues to
migrate into the wicking material 73 resulting in further vaporization,
thereby producing a
cooling effect on the outside of the outer housing 62.
The non-permeable structure of the glass inner housing 64 prevents refrigerant
liquid
40 in the outer housing 62 from reaching the evacuated inner housing 64
containing the sorbent
or desiccant 28. Thus, it is a distinct advantage of the cooling device 60
that, once assembled,
it can be stored indefinitely until it is installed in the container 10.
Installation preferably takes
place just prior to filling container 10 with a beverage under pressure and
sealing the beverage
container with a lid having a flip-top or releasable tab.
Housing 62 is evacuated to a pressure close to the vapor pressure of the
refrigerant
liquid 40 such that all non-condensable gases are removed. With reference to
FIG. 7, when it
is desired to consume the beverage in container 10, the flip top or releasable
tab 69 is activated
and the pressure in container 10 is released and simultaneously the pressure
applied to the outer
housing 62 and thus, the diaphragm 66, is lessened. Once the pressure within
the host container
10 is below a predetermined value, diaphragm 66 moves upward amplifying the
stress on the
glass housing 64 to the point that a fracture propagates along pre-scored line
74.
The fracture of the inner housing 64 opens up fluid communication between
housings
62 and 64 causing a drop in pressure in housing 62 because of the evacuated
condition of
housing 64. The drop in pressure in housing 62 upon opening the container 10
causes the
refrigerant liquid 40 to boil at ambient temperature. The resultant vapor is
absorbed or
adsorbed by the desiccant 28. This process causes the desiccant 28 to heat
appreciably where
said heat is at least partially removed by the heat removing material. Because
the glass of
housing 64 is a superior insulator, the heat generated by the adsorption
reaction remains
contained for the time required for the consumer to finish drinking the
beverage. This liquid-to-
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gas phase change can occur only if the refrigerant liquid 40 removes heat
equal to the latent heat
of vaporization of the evaporated refrigerant liquid 40 from housing 62. If
this condition is met,
housing 62 is cooled. The cooled housing 62, in turn, removes heat from its
surrounding
material including the outside wall of housing 62 which is in contact with the
beverage in
container 10. The beverage is thereby cooled and ready for consumption. One of
ordinary skill
in the art realizes that a heat removing material 29 (not shown) which is
thermally coupled to
the sorbent 28 and which is preferably mixed with the sorbent 28 may
optionally be used to
remove heat from the sorbent 28, preventing or slowing a rise in temperature
in sorbent 28 and
in inner housing 64 that adversely affects the cooling effect provided by the
outer housing 62.
Illustrated in FIG. 8 is a second exemplary embodiment of the pressure-
activated
cooling device 60 to be placed within a host container 10. In this drawing,
identical parts are
given the same numerals as in the previous FIGS. 1-7. Cooling device 60
consists of an outer
housing 62 and an inner housing 90.
The inner housing 90 is made from glass or other impermeable, frangible
material and
is formed as a sealed ampule. The interior housing 90 is cylindrical shaped
with a
circumferential recess 92 around its perimeter approximately halfway up the
body of the interior
housing 90. Similar to the inner housing 64 illustrated in FIGS. 2-7, the
sides of the interior
housing 90 are substantially thinner than the ends and are pre-scored as at
the recess 92 such
that the ampule fractures at or near the recess 92 when subjected to a
predetermined stress.
The outer housing 62 includes a receiving base 94 from which a plurality of
vertical
receiving arms 98 extend upwards. The receiving arms 98 are generally straight
and end in a
substantially ninety degree angle bend forming a plurality of engaging fingers
99. The fingers
99 are spaced apart slightly less than the diameter of the interior housing
90.
At the center of the diaphragm a locking structure 95 is attached using a spot
weld or
rivet. The locking structure includes a plurality of vertical receiving arms
96 extending
downwards. The receiving arms 96 are generally straight and end in a
substantially ninety
degree angle bend to form an engaging forger 1 O 1 on each end. These engaging
fingers 99 are
also spaced apart slightly less than the diameter of the interior housing 90.
During assembly, as the inner housing 90 is lowered into the outer housing 62,
the inner
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housing 90 is inwardly biased and centered by the engaging fingers 99 on the
receiving arms
98. When the inner housing 90 is lowered such that the engaging forgers 99 of
the receiving
base are level with the recess 92, the engaging fingers 99 move inwards and
secure the inner
housing 90 preventing upward movement.
Once the inner housing 90 is secured in the receiving base 94, the diaphragm
66 with
the receiving arms 96 is lowered onto the inner housing 90. The receiving arms
96 pinch the
inner housing 90 until it is lowered such that the engaging fingers 1 O 1 are
positioned slightly
above the recess 92 prior to the introduction of the beverage into the host
container 10. Then
the increased pressure associated with the sealing of the beverage container
10 pushes the
diaphragm 66 downwards resulting in the engaging fingers 101 locking into the
recess 92. In
this stage of assembly, the engaging fingers 99 on the receiving base 94 and
the engaging
fingers 101 on the grabbing arms 96 are inwardly biased so as to secure the
inner housing 90.
The operation of the second embodiment is identical to that of the first
embodiment
after the inner housing 90 is installed. After the cooling device 60 is
installed in the host
container 10 and is subjected to the substantial pressure loading caused by
the pressurized
beverage, the diaphragm is forced away from the torsionally biased bridge 68
unloading the
force on the bridge and permitting the bridge to return to a position similar
to that shown in
FIG. 3A. Absent a release of pressure in container 10, the cooling device 60
would remain in
this condition indefinitely.
When container 10 is opened, the pressure escapes causing diaphragm 66 to
return to
its original upwardly biased position. The resulting upwards movement of the
diaphragm 66
amplifies the stress on the glass housing 64 so that a fracture propagates
along the pre-scored
recess 92.
A third exemplary embodiment of the cooling device is shown in FIG. 9. In this
drawing, identical parts are given the same numerals as in the previous FIGS.
1-8. In
accordance with the third embodiment, a column 111 is attached to the bridge
68. The column
is made of an ingestible substance, such as sugar or salt, that dissolves over
time, in the
beverage and is generally cylindrical. During assembly of the dual housing
cooling device, the
diaphragm is mechanically pushed downwards and the column 111 is mounted to
the bridge 68
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without fracturing the inner housing 90. The diaphragm 66 is then released
resulting in its
upward movement such that it contacts the column 111. In this position, the
cooling device
may be stored and installed into the host beverage container 10.
Upon exposure to the beverage, the column 111 dissolves, but the diaphragm 66
remains
in its downward position because pressure load created by the pressurized
beverage in the
container. When the container 10 is opened and the pressure drops, the
diaphragm 66 returns
to its normal position, forcing the inner housing 64 upwards, and resulting in
its fracture.
A fourth exemplary embodiment of the dual housing cooling device is shown in
FIG.
10. In this drawing, identical parts are given the same numerals as in the
previous FIGS. 1-8.
In FIG. 10, a single leaf spring 115 is secured to the underside of bridge 66
in a bowed position.
Alternatively, the spring may be cut out of the same piece of material as the
bridge 66 with one
end still affixed. The other end is secured by a latch 117 made of an
ingestible material, such
as sugar or salt. The latch 117 must be large enough to withstand shear forces
from spring 115
over a period of time such as those presented by rough handling during
manufacture, storage,
1 S and installation of the cooling device.
During assembly of the cooling device, the diaphragm is mechanically pushed
downwards. The diaphragm 66 is then released resulting in its upward movement,
until it
contacts and rests against the spring 115 without fracturing the inner housing
90. In this
position, the cooling device may be transported and installed into the host
beverage container
10. After being exposed to the beverage, the latch 117 dissolves and the leaf
spring 115
straightens out, but the diaphragm 66 remains in its downward position because
of the pressure
load exerted by the pressurized beverage. When the container 10 is opened and
the pressure
drops, the diaphragm 66 returns to its normal position and carnes the inner
housing 64 upwards
resulting in its fracture.
In the fifth exemplary embodiment, shown in FIG. 11, the cooling device
includes a
compressible outer housing 103. In these drawing, identical parts are given
the same numerals
as in the previous FIGS. 1-8. The compressible housing 103 has both a
detachable top portion
105 and a fixed bottom portion 107.
The compressible housing 103 is accordion-like in that it has series of bellow-
like folds
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permitting it to expand and compress depending on the pressure applied to the
top portion 105.
Affixed to the bottom portion 107 is a receiving base 94. Mounted on the top
portion 105 is
a locking structure 95.
During assembly, while the top portion 1 OS is removed , the inner housing 90
is lowered
into the compressible housing 103 and onto the receiving base 94 until the
inner housing is
secured by the base. The top portion 105, with the locking structure 95, is
then lowered onto
the inner housing 90 until a point just prior to where the engaging fingers
would fixedly grab
the recess 92 of the inner housing 90. The top portion 105, after the
refrigerant liquid 40 (not
shown) is added, is sealed to the compressible housing 103. The compressible
housing is then
ready to be placed within container 10. Preferably, the compressible housing
103 can only
extend to a height corresponding to the height of the compressible housing 103
when the inner
housing 90 was initially placed within.
After the container 10 is sealed, the cooling device is subject to a
substantial pressure
loading causing the bellows of the compressible housing 103 to move the
locking structure 95
downwards so it is securely attaches to the inner housing 90 at recess 92.
When the container
10 is opened, the pressure escapes causing the compressible housing 103 to
return to its original
position. The resulting upward movement of the compressible housing 103
amplifies the stress
on the glass inner housing 90 to the point that a fracture propagates along
the pre-scored recess
92. It is an additional benefit of the compressible housing that the increased
surface area
presented by the accordion like structure further increases and amplifies the
cooling effect on
the liquid contained within the host container 10 (not shown).
Preferably, the cooling device displaces no more than three ounces which would
result
in an outer housing approximately three inches high and one inch in diameter.
The inner
housing is approximately 1/4 inch smaller in diameter and 3/8 inch shorter in
height. The size
of the inner housing may also be adjusted when the thickness of the glass
utilized requires a
different size.
Although the invention has been described in detail with reference only to the
preferred
embodiments, those having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that
various modifications
can be made without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the invention
is defined with
reference to the following claims.
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