Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02943107 2016-09-26
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INVENTOR: ARON L. GODDARD
INSULATED CONTAINER WITH INDUCTION HEATING
RELATED APPLICATIONS
There are no current pending applications.
I. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the field of insulated containers
utilizing
induction heating.
II. Motivation for the Invention
Coffee, tea, and other hot beverages are enjoyed by people almost every day.
Many
people cannot start their day without a cup of their favorite hot beverage.
However, the start of
the day also means a long commute in a car for many people. The popularity of
travel mugs is
evidence of the amount of coffee that is drunk while driving. For many people,
a commute time
of forty-five minutes (45 mm.) to one hour (1 hr.) is not uncommon. Even in
the best insulated
coffee mug, hot beverages will cool to an unacceptable level during this time.
These same
problems exist for those who enjoy camping, hiking, and other outdoor
activities, but a camp fire
or propane stove is not convenient or feasible. Accordingly, a need has arisen
for a solution to
these problems associated with drinking hot beverages while away from
conventional sources of
power or heating. The development of the insulated container with induction
heating element
fulfills this need.
REV: 19 August 2016
Inventor: Aron L. Goddard
drinking hot beverages while away from conventional sources of power or
heating. A need
exists to provide heating that is portable and convenient. The development of
the insulated
container with induction heating element fulfills this need.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In view of
the foregoing references, the inventor recognized the
aforementioned inherent problems and observed that there is a need for a
system for
providing a way to selectively set a temperature to provide a heated means for
the contents of
an insulated beverage container.
[0006] To achieve
the above objectives, it is an object of the present invention
to provide such an insulated container, having an inner container defining an
interior and an
open top, a cup removably attached to the container body, a lid removably
attached to the
open top, a handle located on the container body, a heating means, control
circuitry for the
heating means, a display, and a temperature indicator. In certain embodiments,
a temperature
setting control is separate than the display and in certain other embodiments,
the temperature
setting control is integral with the display. In certain embodiments, a
battery pack in electrical
communication with the control circuitry.
[0007] The heating
means is preferably a metal plate in mechanical
communication with a bottom of the container body which is capable of
receiving thermal
energy from a heating coil activated by the control circuitry.
[0008] The control circuitry
is located within the container body and in
electrical communication with said heating coil, a power connection port, a
power switch, the
temperature setting control, a temperature indicator, a digital temperature
display. The
temperature setting control is configured to enable a selective temperature
setting to operate
said heating coil. The temperature indicator provides a passive indication of
a temperature of
within the container body. The digital temperature display provides an active
indication of the
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temperature of within the container body. The digital temperature display
displays the
selective temperature setting.
[0009] It is
further an object of the invention to provide at least one protective
strip circumscribing an outer surface of said container body.
[0010] It is
further an object of the invention to provide a tilt interlock switch
located on the container body, which, upon sensing an angle of deflection
greater than a
preset angle value, deactivates the control circuitry.
[0011] It is still
further an object of the invention to provide a temperature
limit switch located on the container body adjacent the bottom, which, upon
sensing a
temperature value greater than a pre-set over temperature value, deactivates
the control
circuitry.
[0012] It is still
further an object of the invention to provide a proximity
interlock device located on the container body adjacent the open top, which,
upon sensing
presence of said lid, deactivates the control circuitry.
[0013] It is still yet
further an object of the invention to provide a waterproof
cover for each the power switch, temperature setting control, temperature
indicator, and
digital temperature display, and in embodiments where the temperature setting
control and
digital temperature display are combined. In certain embodiments the power
switch is an
illuminating touch sensitive pushbutton. In other embodiments, the digital
temperature
display is illuminated, as well as in embodiments where the temperature
setting control and
digital temperature display are combined
[0014] Preferably,
the temperature setting control includes an increase
temperature setting switch, which incrementally increases the selective
temperature setting,
and a decrease temperature setting switch, which incrementally decreases the
selective
temperature setting.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] The advantages and features of the present invention will
become
better understood with reference to the following more detailed description
and claims taken
in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are
identified with
like symbols, and in which:
100161 FIGURE 1 is a front view of the insulated container with
induction
heating element 10, according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
[0017] FIGURE 2 is a sectional view of the insulated container
with induction
heating element 10, as seen along a line I ¨ I, as shown in FIGURE 1,
according to the
preferred embodiment of the present invention;
[0018] FIGURE 3 is an electrical block diagram of the electrical
components
as used in the insulated container with induction heating element 10,
according to the
preferred embodiment of the present invention;
[0019] FIGURE 4 is a front view of the insulated container with induction
heating element 10, according to an alternate embodiment of the present
invention;
[0020] FIGURE 5 is a sectional view of the insulated container
with induction
heating element 10, as seen along a line 1 ¨ 1, as shown in FIGURE 1,
according to the
alternate embodiment of the present invention; and,
[0021] FIGURE 6 is an electrical block diagram of the electrical
components
as used in the insulated container with induction heating element 10,
according to the
alternate embodiment of the present invention.
[0022] DESCRIPTIVE KEY
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[0023] 10 insulated container with induction heating element
15 main insulated double wall body
20 removable cup
22 removable thermal lid
25 handle
30 rubberized protective strip
31 insulating grip
35 power connection jack
40 on/off lighted touch sensitive pushbutton
45 increase temperature setting switch
46 decrease temperature setting switch
50 temperature indicator
51 digital temperature display
52 waterproof sealed cover
55 inner container
60 insulation area
65 upper opening
70 engagement means
75 foodstuffs
80 metal plate
85 high frequency coil
90 control circuitry
95 tilt interlock switch
100 over temperature limit switch
105 proximity interlock device
110 thermal conductive link
111 temperature sensor
115 temperature sensing patch
120 eddy current
125 heat wave
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130 AC power pack
135 AC power plug
140 first DC power pack
145 DC power plug
150 second DC power pack
155 USB power plug
160 battery pack
[0024] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0025] The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented
in terms of
its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within FIGURES 1-3, and in an
alternate
embodiment in FIGURES 4-6. However, the invention is not limited to the
described
embodiment, and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other
embodiments of
the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the
invention and that
any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is
envisioned that other
styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated
into the
teachings of the present invention, and only one (1) particular configuration
shall be shown
and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of
limitation of scope.
[0026] The terms "a" and "an" herein do not denote a limitation of
quantity,
but rather denote the presence of at least one (1) of the referenced items.
[0027] Referring now to FIGURES 1 and 4, a front view of the
insulated
container with induction heating element 10, according to a preferred and an
alternate
embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The insulated container
with induction
heating element 10 (herein described as the "device") 10, is comprised
primarily of a main
insulated double wall body 15 and a removable cup 20. The main insulated
double wall body
15 is well known in the art and will be described in greater detail herein
below.
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[0028] The
removable cup 20 is removable typically via a threading operation
and maybe used as a drinking container. A removable thermal lid 22 (not shown
due to
illustrative limitations) is provided on the interior of the removable cup 20,
and is used to
provide a watertight seal with enhanced thermal insulation properties. The
device 10 also
provides other typical features as would typically be found on a portable
insulated container
for foodstuffs such as a handle 25 and rubberized protective strips 30, and
could also be
envisioned in the overall form of a standard water bottle, mug, as well as the
depicted
thermos. At least one (1) insulating grips 31, either located at the top of
the cup 20 subjacent
the lid 22, at the bottom of the container body 15, or both locations provide
additional
physical protection, gripping ability, and insulating properties. The
inclusion or exclusion of
any particular feature of the device 10, not necessary for the enhanced
functionality of said
device 10, shall not be interpreted as a limiting factor of the present
invention. The device 10
would be used to hold, transport, heat, and retain heat of a variety of liquid
foodstuffs
including but not limited to water, milk, soup, tea, coffee, infant formula,
hot chocolate, and
the like.
[0029] Also
visible on the lower portion of the main insulated double wall
body 15 is a power connection jack 35. The power connection jack 35 is
adaptable to a wide
variety of external electrical power sources via external power supplies which
will be
described in greater detail herein below. Envisioned power sources include but
are not limited
to a 12-VDC car outlet (cigarette lighter), an AC electrical outlet, a USB
power sources, and
an external battery pack which allow use of the device 10 virtually anywhere
without reliance
on fixed external power sources thus allowing use of the device 10 while
camping, hiking, or
engaging in other outdoor activities. This type of electrical heating ability
does not rely of
sources of combustion such as wood, coal, propane, natural gas, or the like,
nor the large
sources of external heat typically associated with a stove, burner, campfire
and the like, that
would be wasted for heating a relatively small amount of liquid foodstuffs.
[00301 The lower
portion of the main insulated double wall body 15 is also
provided with an on/off lighted touch sensitive pushbutton 40 for the purposes
of energizing
and de-energizing the electrical components of the device 10, an increase
temperature setting
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switch 45, a decrease temperature setting switch 46, both for controlling the
operational
temperature of the device 10, a temperature indicator 50 for passively
indicating the
temperature of the contained foodstuffs within the main insulated double wall
body 15, and a
digital temperature display 51 for actively indicating the temperature of the
contained
foodstuffs within the main insulated double wall body 15. The on/off lighted
touch sensitive
pushbutton 40 provides visual indication of the operational status of the
device 10. The
increase temperature setting switch 45 and the decrease temperature setting
switch 46 is
utilized to pre-set a desired temperature, which will allow for the
deactivation of the device
when said temperature is reached. In a preferred embodiment (see FIGURES 1-3),
the
10 switches 45, 46
are located adjacent each other on the body 15. In an alternate embodiment
(see FIGURES 4-6), the switches 45, 46 would be provided as an integral
component of the
digital temperature display 51 (combined), as either separate mechanical
pushbuttons or as a
touch sensitive component of the digital display 51. Both methods are well-
known in the art
and can be easily incorporated. The specific inclusion or exclusion of any
method of control
is not intended to be a limiting factor of the present invention. Furthermore,
the location
(either separate or part of the digital temperature display 51 is not intended
to be a limiting
factor of the present invention. Further detail on the on/off lighted touch
sensitive pushbutton
40, the increase temperature setting switch 45, the decrease temperature
setting switch 46, the
temperature indicator 50, and the digital temperature display 51 will be
provided herein
below.
[0031] A series of
waterproof sealed covers 52 provide environmental
protection for the on/off lighted touch sensitive pushbutton 40, the increase
temperature
setting switch 45, the decrease temperature setting switch 46 and the digital
temperature
display 51. This waterproof sealed cover 52 allows the device 10 to be
utilized in rugged
outdoor conditions such as construction sites, while camping or backpacking,
or in similar
rugged environments where the risk of immersion, contamination or physical
impact is great.
[0032] Referring
next to FIGURE 2 and FIGURE 5, sectional views of the
device 10, as seen along a line I ¨ I, as shown in FIGURE 1 and FIGURE 4,
respectively.
These figures clearly depict the inner components of the device 10 as well as
provided insight
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on the operation of the induction heating system afforded. An inner container
55 is located on
the interior of the main insulated double wall body 15 and is provided with an
insulation area
60 included one (1) of air, foam, or other common insulating material. The
inner container 55
is provided with an upper opening 65 allowing for the entry and removal of
various liquid
foodstuffs as aforementioned described. The removable thermal lid 22 is
physically held in
place via engagement means 70 such as threads. The removable cup 20 (as shown
in
FIGURES 1 and 4) is not shown in FIGURES 2 and 5 for purposes of illustrative
clarity.
[0033] The actual
heating of the foodstuffs 75 is provided by a metal plate 80
in physical contact with the bottom of the inner container 55. In turn, the
metal plate 80 is
heated by eddy currents produced by a high frequency coil 85. The high
frequency waveform
is produced by control circuitry 90 using processes and techniques that are
well known in the
art and not encompassed by the present invention. The power connection jack 35
provides
electric power to the control circuitry 90. Further disclosure on power
production through the
power connection jack 35 will be provided herein below. The decrease
temperature setting
switch 46, along with interconnecting wiring is visible as well. The on/off
lighted touch
sensitive pushbutton 40 (as shown in FIGURES 1 and 4) is hidden from view due
to
illustrative limitations.
[0034] A tilt interlock
switch 95 is also provided near the bottom of the main
insulated double wall body 15. The tilt interlock switch 95 uses an electrical
interlock to
prevent operation should the device 10 be at a forty-five degree (450) angle
or less to the
horizontal position. This will prevent inadvertent operation should the device
10 be lying flat
on its side.
[0035] Next, an
over temperature limit switch 100 located near the bottom of
the inner container 55, will shutoff operation of the device 10 should
excessively high
temperatures be reached. Such high temperatures may result if the inner
container 55 is
empty, or if the device 10 is activated to heat already hot foodstuffs 75. A
proximity interlock
device 105 is located near the upper opening 65 to sense for the presence of
the removable
thermal lid 22 (as shown in FIGURES 2 and 5). The proximity interlock device
105, is
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envisioned to be a magnetic switch, a magnetic reed switch, limit switch,
capacitive switch,
photo sensitive switch, RF identification switch, or the like. The specific
use of any particular
style of proximity switch 105 is not intended to be a limiting factor of the
present invention.
Should the removable thermal lid 22 (as shown in FIGURES 2 and 5) be present
or too close
to the main insulated double wall body 15, operation will not be possible due
to prevent
pressure build up inside the inner container 55 and possible subsequent
explosion and
physical injury to those nearby. Thus, the removable thermal lid 22 (as shown
in FIGURES 2
and 5) must not be in place during operation of the device 10.
[0036] The temperature
indicator 50 is visible on the exterior of the main
insulated double wall body 15. The temperature indicator 50 is in physical
contact with a
thermal conductive link 110 such as a metal rod. The thermal conductive link
110 is then in
physical contact with a temperature sensing patch 115 on the interior of the
inner container
55. Thus, the temperature as present at the lower portion of the inner
container 55 will be
relayed to the temperature indicator 50. With the use of thermochromic
chemicals, which are
well known in the art, indication of the internal temperature will be apparent
to the exterior of
the main insulated double wall body 15. It is envisioned that various color
such as red for hot,
orange for medium, blue for normal or cold would be utilized. As the
temperature indicator
50 does not require external sources of electricity, temperature indication
would always be
possible whether or not power is provided at the power connection jack 35.
[0037] Finally,
the digital temperature display 51 is shown near the midpoint
of the main insulated double walled body 15 for purposes of visually
indicating the
temperature of the contained foodstuffs 75 to the nearest integral degree The
temperature
displayed may be either Celsius or Fahrenheit, by either specific model
control or be user
control such as simultaneous energization of the device 10 while holding
either the increase
temperature setting switch 45 and the decrease temperature setting switch 46.
Such methods
are well-known in the art and the specific use or omission of any particular
method of
temperature display change is not intended to be a limiting factor of the
present invention.
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[0038]
Additionally, the digital temperature display 51 is envisioned to be
internally lighted. The method of illumination may be provided by internal
light sources such
as LED's or by light sources provided by the display itself such as LCD's.
Internal
illumination of displays is well known in the art and not a limiting factor of
the present
invention. The specific use, non-use, or even total omission of a light source
is not intended
to be a limiting factor of the present invention. With reference to the
foregoing embodiments,
the invention is not intended to be limited thereby. Rather, a skilled artisan
will recognize
from the disclosure herein, a wide number of alternatives embodiments of the
temperature
display and temperature control interface inputs, including almost any
electrical control
device capable of opening and closing a circuit path. A temperature sensor 111
is located near
the lower portion of the inner container 55 to provide an electrical signal
representative of the
temperature. It should be noted that the functionality afforded by the digital
temperature
display 51 is only available when the device 10 is connected to a source of
electrical power
through the power connection jack 35. At other times, the user would rely upon
the
temperature indication provided by the temperature indicator 50 which operates
passively
without a source of electrical power.
[0039] Referring
to FIGURES 3 and 6, an electrical block diagram of the
electrical components as used in the device 10, according to the preferred
embodiment of the
present invention is shown. Eddy currents 120 produced by the high frequency
coil 85 in the
metal plate 80 then produce heat waves 125 which are used to heat the
foodstuffs 75 (as
shown in FIGURES 2 and 5) in the inner container 55 (also as shown in FIGURE
2). The
high frequency coil 85 is electrically connected to the control circuitry 90.
The control
circuitry 90 receives interlock signals (allow operation or disallow
operation) from the tilt
interlock switch 95, the over temperature limit switch 100 and the proximity
interlock device
105. Control signals are received from the on/off lighted touch sensitive
pushbutton 40, the
increase temperature setting switch 45, and the decrease temperature setting
switch 46 in a
similar manner which control specific operational parameters of the device 10
as
aforementioned described.
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[0040] The
temperature sensor 111 provides a digital signal representative of
the internal temperature of the foodstuffs 75 (as shown in FIGURES 2 and 5) to
the control
circuitry 90. A resultant signal is then sent to the digital temperature
display 51. The power
connection jack 35 receives electrical power from a wide variety of sources.
It is intended
that only one connection to an external power source is possible at any one
instance in time.
An AC power pack 130 is connected to an AC power plug 135 for AC power
applications. A
first DC power pack 140 is connected to a DC.power plug 145 such as when
traveling in a
motor vehicle. A second DC power pack 150 is connected to a USB power plug 155
such as
when near 5-VDC sources commonly used to operate portable electronic devices.
Finally, a
battery pack 160 is utilized to provide electrical power when no other power
sources are
readily available such as when in a wilderness location.
[0041] The
preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by
the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training.
It is envisioned
that the device 10 would be constructed in general accordance with FIGURES 1-3
in a
preferred embodiment, and in FIGURES 4-6 in an alternate embodiment.
[0042] After
procurement of the device 10, the power connection jack 35
would be connected to the desired or available power source such as the AC
power pack 130,
the first DC power pack 140, the second DC power pack 150, or the battery pack
160. Next,
the inner container 55 would be filled with the desired foodstuffs 75 to be
heated. It would
also be ensured that the removable lid 20 would remain off of the engagement
means 70 as
well as sufficient distance away so as to not be detected by the proximity
interlock device
105. Then the desired temperature would be set using the increase temperature
setting switch
45b and the decrease temperature setting switch 46. Finally, the on/off
lighted touch sensitive
pushbutton 40 would be engaged to begin the heating cycle.
[0043] Once the
heating cycle is complete as displayed by the temperature
indicator 50 and/or the digital temperature display 51, the on/off lighted
touch sensitive
pushbutton 40 would be pressed to stop power application to the high frequency
coil 85. The
power source would then be disconnected from the power connection jack 35. If
desired, the
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removable thermal lid 22, as well as the removable cup 20 could be replaced to
help maintain
the heated temperature within the inner container 55 as assisted by the
insulation area 60.
After the foodstuffs 75 are consumed, the inner container 55 would be cleaned
out to ready
the device 10 for another usage cycle in a cyclical manner.
[0044] The
foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present
invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description.
They are not
intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms
disclosed, and
obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above
teaching. The
embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles
of the
invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in
the art to best utilize
the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited
to the
particular use contemplated.
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