Abstract: A liquid storage and dispensing device having at least two internal reservoirs to store two discrete liquids and to dispense the two liquids through a single opening without mixing the liquids until exiting the single opening, the device including a container to store a first liquid and at least a first reservoir mounted under the lid of the container that stores a second liquid, and an opening mechanism on the top that creates a pour opening in the top and removes a seal from the first reservoir to enable simultaneous dispensing of the first and second liquids through the pour opening while maintaining separation of the first and second liquids until they exit the pour opening.

Abstract: Devices for cooling beverages in cooperation with a compressed gas cartridge. The devices include a housing, a head, a working fluid, and a release mechanism. The housing defines a chamber complementarily configured with the compressed gas cartridge to receive the compressed gas cartridge. The head couples to the housing and defines an interior void in fluid communication with the chamber. The working fluid is contained with the interior void of the head. The release mechanism is operably connected to the housing and configured to selectively release compressed gas from the compressed gas cartridge into the interior void of the head. The compressed gas cools the working fluid when the compressed gas is selectively released from the compressed gas cartridge and contacts the working fluid in the interior void. The head is configured to be placed in a beverage to cool the beverage.

Abstract: A cooling or freezing device which includes a helical coil into which a compressed gas is forced; a cylindrical chamber that is disposed adjacent to the helical coil; and an insulating sleeve. The coil is formed in a cylindrical form and enclosed within the insulating sleeve, while the insulating sleeve is constructed and arranged for receiving a bottle or can for cooling. A compressed gas cylinder is disposed within the cylindrical chamber; and an actuation member is coupled with the cylindrical chamber and constructed and arranged to selectively expel the compressed gas from the compressed gas cylinder to the helical coil.

Abstract: A beverage chiller contains two compartments, allowing coolant to be introduced into the first compartment, and allowing a beverage to be introduced into the second compartment. Heat transfer between the first compartment and the second compartment allows for rapid cooling of the beverage.

Abstract: A self-chilling food or beverage container including an outer container and a heat exchange unit (HEU) secured internally of said outer container and having liquid carbon dioxide (CO2) therein, the HEU including a valve member which provides a restricted orifice in one position to allow the liquid CO2 to pass from the liquid state directly to the gaseous state while maintaining pressure in the HEU to keep the residual CO2 in the liquid state and in a second position to provide a substantially unrestricted flow path to permit liquid CO2 to be inserted into the HEU.

Abstract: A self-cooling beverage container includes a container body having a container interior, a beverage provided in the container interior, a gas compartment provided in the container body, a cooling gas provided in the gas compartment, a cooling compartment disposed in fluid communication with the gas compartment and disposed in the container interior, a gas compartment seal disposed between the gas compartment and the cooling compartment, a detachable element carried by the container body and a gas release pin carried by the detachable element and adapted to rupture the gas compartment seal upon detachment of the detachable element from the container body.

Abstract: A self cooling container for a beverage includes a receptacle holding a refrigerant under pressure. When an outer cap of the container is opened, the refrigerant is exhausted, cooling the receptacle and the beverage surrounding it. The receptacle includes an inner receptacle member and one or more walls extending around the receptacle member, with spaces between adjacent walls being established at descending pressure values outward from the inner receptacle, which is held at a high pressure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a heat package wherein a surface of a generating heat element that generates heat when exposed to atmosphere is placed against or attached to a heat conductive member. The heat element is protected from atmosphere until use. The heat package may include a heat-generating element attached to an insulating member with one or more air spaced there between. An outer surface of the heat-generating element can be exposed to atmosphere to produce heat when desired.

Abstract: A cooling element with a sorbent material (4) which in vacuo can sorb a vaporous working medium that evaporates from a fluid working medium in an evaporator (29) and with a shut-off means which, up to the moment at which the cooling process is initiated, prevents the working medium vapor from flowing into the sorbent material (4), with the sorbent material (4) being sealed into a sorbent-containing pouch (22) which comprises a multilayer sheeting material which in turn comprises at least one metallic layer or one metallized layer.

Abstract: A fluid conduit cooling apparatus and method. The cooling of the fluid is achieved by pouring it through a heat exchanger within cold material. The cooling of the material is achieved by means of an endothermic reaction that occurs in a time and place of the user's choice.

Abstract: An iceless method of providing a chilled beverage to a customer by supplying a container that not only contains the beverage but also contains a compartment filled with a compressed gas for selectively cooling the liquid in the container before consuming it. The apparatus is characterized by the fact that the end of the gas compartment adjacent the mouth of the beverage compartment occupies less than the entire mouth of the beverage compartment so that when the closure member is removed, a liquid contained in the beverage compartment may be conveniently poured out, whether or not the frangible cover of the gas compartment has first been punctured for releasing the gas.

Abstract: The invention relates to self-refrigerating beverage packaging comprising: a first cavity (10) which contains a beverage; a second cavity (20) which forms a heat exchanger and which contains a refrigerating liquid and the vapour thereof; a third cavity (30) which contains means for the adsorption pumping of said vapour and means of connecting (40) the second cavity with the third cavity. The inventive packaging is characterised in that the second and third cavities are provided with a common wall (25) comprising the built-in connection means, and in that said connection means (40) comprise a check valve (42) which can withstand pressure exerted on the side of the second cavity and which opens under the effect of a force exerted on the side of the third cavity.

Abstract: A composition for effecting heat transfer to or from a fluid, the composition comprising a primary adsorbent material, such as activated carbon, for adsorption of a gas, such as carbon dioxide, and a graphite material in an amount of 0.01 to 80% by weight of the total composition. A binder may also be included in the composition to aid heat transfer. The composition may be incorporated into an apparatus (12) that includes sealing means (14) for retaining the gas on the surface of the material and a release mechanism (16) for breakage of the seal, said apparatus being provided with a vessel (6) for holding fluid.

Abstract: A self-cooling can comprising an evaporator unit within the can and an absorber unit provided outside the container body. A beverage within the can is cooled by means of vapor which passes from the evaporator to the absorber when these are connected so as to provide a vapor path between the two. The path for water vapor, for example, to pass from the evaporator to the absorber is formed by rupturing a pane between the evaporator and the absorber when the can and part or all of the absorber are rotated relative to each other.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a self-refrigerating drinks package, characterised in that it includes a step consisting in assembling refrigeration means inside the package, said refrigeration means being composed of a cavity containing a refrigerating liquid able to evaporate under the effect of a negative pressure, means of connecting said cavity to external pumping means by adsorption being provided in the package, partial pressure of the non-adsorbable gases in the internal cavity being maintained below 3 millibar.

Abstract: A self-cooling can (10) which is suitable for cooling 300 ml of beverage by 30° F. in a maximum of 3 minutes comprises an internal evaporator (30) and an absorber unit (20) which is fixed typically to the base of the can. Cooling is initiated by providing a vapour path from the evaporator (30) to a desiccant region of the absorber unit (20). Heat is removed from the vapour and/or any heat due to the reaction with the desiccant (24) by heat sink material (26) around the desiccant region (22).

Abstract: Portable refrigeration devices (1) including methods for preparing evaporator chambers (10) for use in such devices, and the evaporator chambers (10) prepared in this way. The methods relate to the dispersion of refrigerant for the maximization of efficiency of vaporization of refrigerant vapor from the evaporator chamber (10) of such refrigeration devices (1).

Abstract: A container adapted to include a pressurized medium therein for purposes of dispensing the contents of the container or alternatively, to function as a heat exchange unit to heat or cool beverage or food contained therein. The container housing the pressurized medium includes an over pressure release mechanism which includes a barrier member disposed adjacent a valve stem which when depressed releases the pressurized medium. The valve including the moveable valve stem is carried by a mounting member at least that portion of which carries the valve is moveable outwardly responsive to the pressurized medium exceeding a predetermined pressure internally of the container. Upon such movement, the valve stem contacts the barrier which is stationary with respect thereto and after such contact, further moves the valve stem to activate the valve and release the pressurized medium contained within the container.

Abstract: A self-cooling package for beverages that includes a cooling device internal to the package and a connection to a pumping device external to the package. The internal cooling device is formed by a cavity filled with a coolant that evaporates under the effect of a depression.

Abstract: A composition for effecting heat transfer to or from a fluid, the composition comprising a primary adsorbent material, such as activated carbon, for adsorption of a gas, such as carbon dioxide, and a graphite material in an amount of 0.01 to 80% by weight of the total composition. A binder may also be included in the composition to aid heat transfer. The composition may be incorporated into an apparatus (12) that includes sealing means (14) for retaining the gas on the surface of the material and a release mechanism (16) for breakage of the seal, said apparatus being provided with a vessel (6) for holding fluid.

Abstract: A refrigerant charging tool. In a described embodiment, a refrigerant charging tool has two separately formed handles pivotably attached to each other. One of the handles has a container piercing member mounted thereon. Interchangeable spacers are configured for attachment to the other handle, so that a selected one of differently shaped containers may be biased against the container piercing member when the handles are pivoted toward each other.

Abstract: Provided is a self-cooling beverage container. The self-cooling beverage container includes a refrigerant vessel provided inside the beverage container and having a refrigerant valve configured to exhaust an internal refrigerant outside, an evaporator tubing having one end connected to the refrigerant valve and the other end led to the outside of a container body to allow evaporation of the refrigerant exhausted through the refrigerant valve and to remove an evaporation heat for the refrigerant from the beverage to cool the beverage, and a refrigerant valve actuator configured to actuate the refrigerant valve, if necessary. Since evaporation occurs directly at an evaporator tubing contacting a beverage inside the container through a wide area, superb beverage cooling efficiency can be achieved. Also, a lid member can be opened by pulling a handle or lightly touching or pressing a convex portion, that is, the self-cooling beverage container can be easily manipulated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a self-cooling liquid container for rapidly cooling the liquid in a container by evaporation of coolant gas. A self-cooling liquid container having a liquid cooling device for cooling a liquid in a container by evaporation of a coolant gas comprises a coolant gas bottle inside the liquid container containing a coolant gas stored under pressure, a nozzle tube communicating with the coolant gas bottle and rounding outside the coolant gas bottle, a mounting support for mounting and supporting the coolant gas bottle inserted into the liquid container, and having a switching portion for selectively releasing the coolant gas, and a cap coupled with the mounting support outside of the container and selectively opening and closing the switching portion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a self-refrigerating drinks package, characterised in that it includes a step consisting in assembling refrigeration means inside the package, said refrigeration means being composed of a cavity containing a refrigerating liquid able to evaporate under the effect of a negative pressure, means of connecting said cavity to external pumping means by adsorption being provided in the package, partial pressure of the non-adsorbable gases in the internal cavity being maintained below 3 millibar.

Abstract: A self-cooling container with an internal receptacle. The receptacle responds to differences in pressure between its internal and external walls so that when the pressure acting external to the receptacle walls falls to atmospheric pressure the receptacle releases cooling agents that cool the contents of the container.

Abstract: A portable beverage container assembly includes a capsule containing a refrigerant which is inserted into and securely held inside the beverage container, together with a mechanism to discharge the refrigerant so that the latent heat of evaporation and expansion of the refrigerant gases will impart a chilling action to the refrigerant and hence to the beverage inside the container when the user wishes to drink the beverage.

Abstract: A portable beverage container assembly includes a capsule containing a refrigerant which is inserted into and securely held inside the beverage container, together with a mechanism to discharge the refrigerant so that the latent heat of evaporation and expansion of the refrigerant gases will impart a chilling action to the refrigerant and hence to the beverage inside the container when the user wishes to drink the beverage.

Abstract: Provided is a self-cooling beverage container. The self-cooling beverage container includes a refrigerant vessel provided inside the beverage container and having a refrigerant valve configured to exhaust an internal refrigerant outside, an evaporator tubing having one end connected to the refrigerant valve and the other end led to the outside of a container body to allow evaporation of the refrigerant exhausted through the refrigerant valve and to remove an evaporation heat for the refrigerant from the beverage to cool the beverage, and a refrigerant valve actuator configured to actuate the refrigerant valve, if necessary. Since evaporation occurs directly at an evaporator tubing contacting a beverage inside the container through a wide area, superb beverage cooling efficiency can be achieved. Also, a lid member can be opened by pulling a handle or lightly touching or pressing a convex portion, that is, the self-cooling beverage container can be easily manipulated.

Abstract: A self-cooling package for beverages, comprises cooling means internal to said package and means of connection to pumping means external to said package, the internal cooling means being formed by a cavity filled with a refrigerant liquid that evaporates under the effect of a depression.

Abstract: A self-cooling package for beverages that includes a cooling device internal to the package and connection to a pumping device external to the package. The internal cooling device is by a cavity filled with a coolant that evaporates under the effect of a depression.

Abstract: A rapid refrigeration apparatus includes a container having a container upper end, a container wall with a container opening in the container upper end bordered by a container rim, the container liquid container contents; a receptacle extending within the container and containing a refrigerant, the receptacle including a cup portion sized to fit into the container opening, a cup flange sized to rest against and sealing secured to, the container rim and a cup wall, at least a portion of which is expandable, the cup wall having cup wall opening mechanism for releasing the container contents into the receptacle; and a lid sealingly secured to the cup flange and including a lid opening mechanism for releasing the refrigerant from the receptacle into the atmosphere and for releasing the container contents from the receptacle for consumption; the lid opening mechanism including a lid opening mechanism activation mechanism for voluntarily opening the lid opening mechanism at a selected moment in time.

Abstract: A heat exchange unit for use in containers for cooling a food or beverage. The heat exchange unit includes inner end outer vessels with inner vessel having a plurality of thermally conductive discs in thermally conductive contact with an inner surface thereof. An adsorbent material is disposed between adjacent discs is compacted between them to provide maximum adsorbent material per unit volume. The outer surface of the inner vessel defines a plurality of grooves and is in thermally conductive contact with the inner surface of the outer vessel. The grooves provide flow paths for a gas such as carbon dioxide which is adsorbed onto the adsorbent material to flow and exit the heat exchange unit and to carry with it, the heat contained in the food or beverage, thereby lowering its temperatures.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for cooling and/or gassifying a liquid 12 stored in a container 10 having an outlet 10b. The apparatus comprises an adsorbent 14 for receiving and adsorbing under pressure a quantity of gas and a three position cap 16. In a first position, said cap 16 simply acts to seal the contents within the container whilst in a second position it acts to cause release of adsorbed gas from adsorbent 14 which then passes through the beverage 12 thereby gassifying and/or cooling said beverage. A third position of the cap 16 allows for its removal from container 10 such that the beverage may be dispensed. The container may be provided with a thermochromatic coating to indicate when the liquid is at a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A self cooling beverage container or can. Different embodiments of a self cooling can are shown including the use of an endothermic reaction perhaps between ammonium nitrate and water. In another embodiment a volatile liquid is evaporated. In another embodiment water is maintained in a low pressure environment and allowed to boil. The vapour which is produced from the boiling water is absorbed by a desiccant maintaining the boiling process. The cooling process may be initiated by the pressure release of a carbonated beverage can during opening of the can.

Abstract: A heat exchange unit and a beverage or food container including a heat exchange unit therein. The heat exchange unit includes a vessel having a plurality of thermally conductive discs with a layer of compacted adsorbent material such as carbon particles disposed between adjacent discs. The periphery of the discs are in thermally conductive contact with the inner surface of the vessel and each discs has at least one surface which defines a plurality of radially extending grooves terminating at the periphery to define a preferential flow path for gas under pressure to travel along the inner surface of the vessel wall. The periphery of the discs also define a plurality of notches, one at each groove terminal, to enhance the preferential flow path.

Abstract: A beverage chiller which chills the liquid through the desorption of gas from an adsorbent within a vessel, wherein the chiller comprises a plurality of heat transfer elements, formed of thermally-conductive material and in direct thermal contact with the adsorbent and adapted to transfer heat between the vessel walls and the adsorbent therein, and wherein the elements are configured so as to cooperate in use in order to conduct desorbed gas from the adsorbent to the vessel walls and thence along the vessel walls prior to its exit from the vessel. The chiller provides more effective heat transfer and fully utilizes the chilling capacity of the desorbed gas by channeling it to and along the vessel walls.

Abstract: A self-cooling fluid container for beverages includes a beverage chamber and a refrigerant chamber in a nested configuration. Release of the refrigerant effects cooling of the beverage as a result of conductive heat transfer between the expanding refrigerant and the beverage chamber. The refrigerant chamber is wholly self-contained and nests snugly within a recess formed in the beverage chamber, thereby providing enhanced wall thickness and strength for containing a pressurized refrigerant, as well as enhanced heat transfer between the beverage chamber and the refrigerant chamber.

Abstract: A chiller for chilling a quantity of fluid of the type comprising an adsorbent for receiving and adsorbing under pressure a quantity of gas, the desorption of gas from the adsorption causing a reduction in temperature of the adsorbent and adsorbate which acts to chill the fluid, wherein the chiller comprises one or more thin-walled vessels for placement in direct thermal contact with the fluid to be chilled, each vessel comprising two thin sheets of substantially similar size and shape, joined together around the peripheral edges thereof so as to form a cavity therebetween for containing the adsorbent. Preferably, heat transfer means are provided to ensure efficient transfer of heat between the surface of the body of adsorbent and the adsorbent therewithin.

Abstract: A beverage chilling and insulating device comprising an insulated sleeve for accepting a beverage container such as a beer or soda can. The insulated sleeve is secured at a bottom end to an insulated hollow base which defines a chilling chamber, the chilling chamber in communication with the sleeveway. A cartridge receptacle hole is located upon the insulated hollow base and extends inward into the insulated hollow base to form a cylindrical cartridge chamber. A needle valve protrudes from the cartridge chamber into the chilling chamber. A pressurized refrigerant cartridge which contains a volume of pressurized refrigerant such as freon or liquid nitrogen is inserted into the cartridge chamber until the needle valve punctures the cartridge, allowing the pressurized refrigerant contents to escape from the cartridge, through the needle valve into the chilling chamber and sleeveway.

Abstract: A device for chilling the contents of a beverage container (10, 74) comprising a shell, the interior of which is adapted to accommodate the container (10, 74) the contents of which are to be chilled, and the wall of which comprises an annular reservoir (16, 70) for liquified refrigerant gas under pressure, which surrounds the container. The reservoir (16, 70) is openable at (30, 76) to permit the liquefied refrigerant to escape therefrom and create a cooling effect on the wall of the container (10, 74), consequent on the change of phase from liquid to gas, and expansion of the gas, to chill the container (10, 74) and its contents. The outer surface of the shell is formed with a heat insulating layer (24, 78) so that the cooling effect is preferentially directed towards the interior. The reservoir (16, 70) may be vented at the top of the bottom or through a plurality of apertures (106, 108) distributed around the interior of the shell.

Abstract: A chiller for chilling a quantity of fluid in a vessel comprises an adsorbent for receiving and adsorbing under pressure a quantity of gas; sealing means for sealing adsorbed gas in said adsorbent and releasing means for releasing adsorbed gas from said adsorbent in a controlled manner such that the action of desorption causes a reduction in the temperature of the adsorbent and gas which acts to chill the fluid.

Abstract: A self-cooling container incorporating a heat exchange unit including a chamber for containing a quantity of a gas, the chamber including an external wall in contact with the beverage to be cooled, actuator means for actuating the heat exchange unit, a liner member disposed concentric and inside the wall of the chamber for facilitating flow of the gas throughout the heat exchange unit, and a means for exhausting the gas from the chamber. The actuator means includes a valve for controlling the release of the gas from the chamber having a valve stem which when reciprocated axially will open and close the valve to allow gas to discharge through the stem. The actuator means also includes a sealer having a plurality of tabs spaced around its outer periphery for preventing the heat exchange unit from coming out of the container. A support member is affixed to the base of the chamber for locking the heat exchange unit in position after it is inserted in the container.

Abstract: A cooling system built into a drinking mug. The mug contains a cooling ribbon spirally wound about the interior beverage holding area of the mug. A mobile cylinder container interconnects the ribbon channel with a replaceable nitrogen gas cartridge housed in a vacuum chamber located in the bottom of the mug. The cooling system is hand activated by a spring-loaded mechanism which moves the mobile cylinder container into and out of engagement with the ribbon channel. This arrangement buffers the ribbon channel from the gas cartridge and ensures that only measured amounts of the cooling gas from the gas cartridge are inserted into the ribbon channel. This arrangement also provides a means for supplementing the amount of cooling gas in the ribbon channel.

Abstract: A beverage container such as a can contains pressurized beverage together with a cartridge containing a refrigerant such as carbon dioxide. A cartridge holder holds the cartridge in place by engaging the inside of the can. A cartridge piercer is positioned between the cartridge and the can end. When the can is filled and the end installed, the pressurized beverage releases part of its gs which increases gas pressure within the can. The increasing gas pressure deflects the can ends which are resilient. The released beverage gas also arms and lengthens the cartridge piercer to engage substantially under the deflected can end. When the can pressure is released, the cartridge piercer pierces the cartridge to release the carbon dioxide therein to chill the beverage container and its contents.

Abstract: A portable heat exchange unit for cooling a medium including a vessel adapted to contain a discrete quantity of a compressed or liquefied gas wherein the vessel includes a wall arranged to be placed in contact with the medium to be cooled, a valve for operatively controlling the release of the gas from the vessel, a panel positioned adjacent and inside the wall of the vessel for operatively directing the gas into heat exchange contact with the wall of the vessel and arranged to release gas from the top of the panel, and a means for exhausting the gas from the vessel. The panel has ridges thereon and engages the wall so as to form a plurality of channels between the ridges and the wall.

Abstract: A self-cooling fluid container includes a fluid chamber for containing the fluid-to-be-cooled. A refrigerant chamber, containing a pressurized refrigerant, is integral with the base of the fluid chamber and extends at least partially into the fluid chamber. The interior region of the refrigerant chamber is fluidicly isolated from and thermally coupled to the interior region of the fluid chamber. A refrigerant dispersal assembly defines a vented dispersal region including a portion adjacent to the refrigerant chamber and separated from the interior of that chamber by a perforatable wall. A cooling activator is adapted to selectively form a fluidic path from the interior of the refrigerant chamber to the dispersal region through the perforatable wall, permitting release and expansion of the pressurized refrigerant.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a pop top mechanism of a disposable beverage container which includes a lance in the pop top lever which can be pressed downwardly to penetrate the top of the container allowing a refrigerant inside the container to be released into the atmosphere thereby cooling the contents of the container by evaporation of the refrigerant coolant.

Abstract: A portable, self contained heating or cooling apparatus for a beverage can is disclosed. A vortex tube is provides which supplies the needed heating or cooling effect to the beverage in the can.

Abstract: A beverage can be cooled to a temperature lower than the ambient temperature by canning said beverage within a can which is internally provided with an integral cooling system comprising a compartment containing a liquid refrigerant fluid such as Freon 22 under a relatively elevated pressure, a compartment under reduced pressure connected with said high pressure refrigerant compartment by means of a partition, and a partition breaking device for perforating said partition to permit the expansion and flashing of the refrigerant fluid into said compartment under reduced pressure, in order to produce an absorption of heat from said beverage by the evaporation of said liquid refrigerant.

Abstract: A refrigerant charging tool. In a described embodiment, a refrigerant charging tool has two separately formed handles pivotably attached to each other. One of the handles has a container piercing member mounted thereon. Interchangeable spacers are configured for attachment to the other handle, so that a selected one of differently shaped containers may be biased against the container piercing member when the handles are pivoted toward each other.