Abstract: A method and a device for better utilising latent cold in a cold producing material used for producing and upholding a pre-determined temperature inside a transport container or the like, where dry ice or a similar first phase change material having very low sublimation temperature is utilised. Inside the transport container is arranged a receptacle for such low sublimation temperature phase converting material, the said receptacle being provided with an enclosure having cavities for a second phase change material having a considerably higher melting point, the said cavities of the receptacle at least partially enclosing the inside of the receptacle, in which the converting material having the essentially lower melting point is received.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sample receiving device (100), particularly for the cryoconservation of at least one sample, including a bundle (10) consisting of a plurality of hose-shaped flexible sample chambers (11, 12, . . . ) and a holding device (20) with which the bundle (10) of the sample chambers is joined. The holding device (20) has a plurality of holding frames (21, 22, . . . ) which are arranged in a longitudinal direction of the bundle (10).

Abstract: A method of storing solutions of reduced glutathione for extended periods of time, by dissolving reduced glutathione in an aqueous medium having a pH of between 5.0 and 8.0 to produce a reduced glutathione solution; reducing the temperature of the reduced glutathione solution to a predetermined temperature which is sufficiently low to prevent oxidative dimerization of glutathione without freezing the aqueous medium; and storing the reduced glutathione solution at the predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A high capacity, continuous production blast freezer includes an insulated enclosure, a refrigeration system supplying cold air to the enclosure and a plurality of trays containing comestibles to be frozen. A tray advancement or pusher mechanism advances a first tray into the enclosure and then advances a second tray into the enclosure, pushing the first tray further into the enclosure. Gradually a first level of the enclosure is filled with trays. An elevator mechanism at both ends of the enclosure allows the trays reaching the end of the enclosure to advance to a second level, and the tray advancement mechanism advances the tray out of the elevator onto the second level. Eventually, as additional trays are pushed into the enclosure, the second level and then optionally further levels of the enclosure are filled with trays.

Abstract: A beverage product includes a container having an interior volume and a frangible block of a frozen beverage material formed in the interior volume. The beverage product can further include a liquid beverage material disposed in the interior volume. In use, the frangible block of a frozen beverage material can be broken prior to consuming the beverage. The container can be made of a resilient material so as to allow the frangible block of a frozen beverage material to be broken. Another aspect of the present invention provides a vending machine capable of dispensing beverage products having frangible blocks of a frozen beverage material formed therein.

Abstract: A beverage container (10) is disclosed as including a body (12) with a top end and a cooling device (20) detachably engageable with the body (12), in which the body (12) is adapted to hold a beverage, and the cooling device (20) is adapted to contain a cooling agent, e.g. water and when the cooling device (20) is engaged with the body (12), at least a major portion of the top end of the body (12) is closed and at least part of the cooling device (20) extends into an interior cavity of the body (12), and the cooling device (20) includes a vessel (22) and a top (24) removably engageable with each other. A method of using such a beverage container is also disclosed.

Abstract: A container is provided with multiple surface depressions for enhancing the insulative properties of the container. The surface depressions are tightly grouped, and a label placed over the surface depressions results in a greater surface area of the label that is suspended over the depressions as compared to a surface area of the label that is in contact with the exterior surface of the container. The air gaps or chambers defining the space between the applied label and the surfaces of the depressions provides an insulating air barrier to better maintain the beverage in the container at a desired temperature. The surface depressions may also be used alone without a label to provide insulative benefits. The surface depressions may be spaced and sized such that, under normal grasping conditions, the consumer's hand does not penetrate the entire depth of the depressions, and an air barrier is still maintained between the consumer's hand and the exterior surface of the container.

Abstract: This invention relates to a self-heating or self-cooling container (1), which uses an exothermic or endothermic re-action to provide or remove heat from the contents of the container. The chemical reaction includes a fluid consistuent (either as a reagent or solvent), held in a reservoir (6), which is added to another reagent in the reaction chamber (5) to initiate the reaction. The container (1) according to the invention proposes a means (8, 91) to control the volume of this fluid constituent added to the reaction chamber (5) depending on the ambient temperature of the container.

Abstract: A self-heating or self-cooling container, which uses a chemical reaction to effect heating or cooling. The reagents for the chemical reaction are stored separately in two sealed compartments (5, 6) having a common dividing wall (7), which can move within the compartments to expand the volume of one compartment at the expense of the other compartment. This arrangement allows efficient use of space within the reaction module of the can, which is particularly important where large amounts of reagent are required to obtain the necessary heating or cooling effect and where the products of the chemical reaction occupy a significantly increased volume compared to the initial reagent in the compartment.

Abstract: Thermal management systems and methods for manufacturing and using same are disclosed. Certain embodiments of the thermal management systems comprise configurations of corrugated, porous, or fibrous panels containing phase change materials within the interior of the panels. Liquid barrier layers are applied to the panels to at least keep the phase change materials from leaking out of the panels. The thermal management systems are passive systems which are able to maintain the temperature of pharmaceutical products placed within the systems within a predetermined temperature range over a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: A self-cooling beverage package having a first cavity (10) containing a beverage for consumption, a second cavity (20) forming a heat exchanger and containing a refrigerant liquid and its vapor, a third cavity (30) containing means of pumping by adsorption of said vapor and means (50) of putting said second cavity into communication with said third cavity, characterised in that the third cavity (30) has an external thermal insulation layer (35).

Abstract: A cryogenic fluid distribution device may include a fluid flow passage for distributing cryogenic fluid to an apparatus, an overflow passage positioned downstream of the apparatus, and a sensor coupled to the overflow passage, the sensor having an active component for determining if fluid is present in the overflow passage.

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 container comprises a container body for containing contents to be heated or cooled, a thermic module at one end of the body, and a closure at the other end of the body. Within the thermic module, an internal exothermic (or, alternatively, endothermic) chemical reaction is initiated to heat its contents when a user actuates the thermic module. The thermic module includes a heat exchanger portion extending proximally into the container and a thermic module cap distal to the heat exchanger portion. The heat exchanger portion has a pleated wall to improve the heat transfer to the contents of the container. The container includes a rotatable cover adhered to the container end over the closure with heat-sensitive adhesive that prevents a user from accessing the contents until a certain temperature is reached. The container further includes a full panel pull-off which covers and protects the actuator from being actuated until the pull-of lid is removed from the full panel pull-off.

Abstract: Disclosed are self-cooling containers for beverages and other liquids. Such containers comprise porous matrices as elements of the container bodies to effect the cooling of contained liquids by pervaporation. The liquid vapor can pass through the porous matrix directly to the environment or to a collector or trap comprising an absorbent material in contact with the container. Also disclosed are self-cooling containers incorporating insulative sleeves that reduce radiative warming of container surfaces yet permit sufficient pervaporative flux to cool containers residing within such sleeves.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mujlti-compartment pack for colling or heating products. The pack includes a first compartment with a solid matter or a liquid and a second compartment with a liquid wherein the first and second compartment are separated by a removable wall.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for defining the processing of an ingredient of a manufactured product, particularly one that is manufactured “one-the-spot” to a consumer's specification, such as ice cream, among other products. A tag encoded on a container for the product carries indicia that, directly or indirectly, define one or more formulations for the product. Apparatus into which the ingredient is loaded sets the processing of ingredients in accordance with the formulations so specified. By connecting the apparatus which is to process the ingredients to a control station, the formulations may be changed at will.

Abstract: The cosmetics container includes: a cosmetics case; a refrigerant case; a container for containing the cosmetics case and the refrigerant case; a cosmetics cooling device having a cosmetics cooling tube for cooling cosmetics discharged from the cosmetics case flowing therein and a refrigerant channel for cooling and discharging out the cosmetics contained in the cosmetics cooling tube by evaporating refrigerant discharged from the refrigerant case while the refrigerant flows to a portion of the cosmetics cooling tube and surrounds the cosmetics cooling tube, the cosmetics cooling tube being made of a metallic material and located in the cosmetics cooling device; and a cap containing the cosmetics cooling device therein and having a cosmetics outlet for discharging out the cooled cosmetics, the cap being moved vertically for discharging out the cosmetics and the refrigerant by a pressing action.

Abstract: A disposable container which has the ability to independently cool or heat a liquid beverage or food product by way of an endothermic or exothermic reaction. The container is disposable and has a double walled configuration to create a chamber therebetween. Within the chamber is a chemical compound which when activated provides the desired reaction upon the contents within the container. Thus, there is no requirement that this device must be subjected to external refrigeration or heat.

Abstract: An automatic cold-storage system includes a food package (22) provided with a noncontact IC tag (11), and a refrigerator (31) for storing the food package (22). Information is read from the noncontact IC tag (11) by a noncontact IC tag reader (12) and is compiled to a database (31c). A managing means (31b) controls the refrigerator (31) on the basis of information contained in the database (31c). The managing means (31b) makes a display device (14) display a warning on the basis of information read by the noncontact IC tag reader (12).

Abstract: A food container having a separable refrigerant section has a container part having an open upper end and a lower end with a bottom. A separable lid configured and sized to sealingly and releasably engage the open upper end of the container part. A refrigerant section has a top end and a bottom end with the top end being configured and sized to releasingly engage the lower end of the container part.

Abstract: A method of storing solutions of reduced glutathione for extended periods of time, by dissolving reduced glutathione in an aqueous medium having a pH of between 5.0 and 8.0 to produce a reduced glutathione solution; reducing the temperature of the reduced glutathione solution to a predetermined temperature which is sufficiently low to prevent oxidative dimerization of glutathione without freezing the aqueous medium; and storing the reduced glutathione solution at the predetermined temperature.

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: The present invention relates to a mujlti-compartment pack for colling or heating products. The pack includes a first compartment with a solid matter or a liquid and a second compartment with a liquid wherein the first and second compartment are separated by a removable wall.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for defining the processing of an ingredient of a manufactured product, particularly one that is manufactured “one-the-spot” to a consumer's specification, such as ice cream, among other products. A tag encoded on a container for the product carries indicia that, directly or indirectly, define one or more formulations for the product. Apparatus into which the ingredient is loaded sets the processing of ingredients in accordance with the formulations so specified. By connecting the apparatus which is to process the ingredients to a control station, the formulations may be changed at will.

Abstract: A modified multi-chambered container including a container body defining a central (e.g., liquid) chamber, a neck defining an opening to the central chamber, a flange extending upward from the neck, and a groove formed in the neck around the first opening. A collared O-ring includes an annular base mounted in the groove, and a ring-shaped collar extending from an upper portion of the base toward the opening. A hollow ball member is mounted on the neck such that an outer wall of the ball member contacts the O-ring collar. A housing is attached to the container body that pushes the ball member against the collared O-ring.

Abstract: A method for automatically controlling an air conditioning device includes determining vehicle interior and exterior temperatures, and supplying a mixture of fresh air and circulating air to the air conditioning device in a hot start when the interior temperature exceeds the exterior temperature. An air conditioning device for a motor vehicle includes a hot start mode and a normal mode. In the hot start mode when the vehicle interior temperature exceeds the vehicle exterior temperature, a mixture of fresh air and circulating air is supplied to the air conditioning device. The air conditioning device operates in the normal mode when the vehicle exterior temperature exceeds the vehicle interior temperature.

Abstract: A food container having a separable refrigerant section comprising:

Abstract: A passive thermal control enclosure for transporting and storing payloads in earth orbit includes an inner box-like enclosure surrounded by an outer box-like enclosure with insulation in the space between the enclosures. The walls of the inner enclosure are fiber-matrix composite skins with honeycomb sandwiched therebetween. Each enclosure has its own door latched closed by releasable latches formed in opposed pairs that can be operated without any net force on the operator. Packs of phase change material (PCM) are placed into the inner enclosure with the payload. The PCM is contained in flexible packages. The packs of PCM are removed when they melt and replaced with fresh packs, and the melted packs preferably are re-frozen on-board the orbiting spacecraft. Freezing preferably is carried out such that the freeze front moves substantially in only one direction from one end of the pack to the other.

Abstract: A method for formation of slugs in a gun barrel and acceleration of these slugs up to the speed of 3 km/sec and more is suggested. A selected region of the barrel is filled by water or another liquid, mixture of liquids or slurry. The refrigerating media is supplied into a heat exchanger cooling the selected section of the barrel. The freezing conditions (rate of the heat removal, duration of cooling) assure desired cohesion of the slug and its adhesion to the barrel. When freezing is completed, the axial pressure is exerted on the internal edge of the slug. When the pressure exceeds the adhesion forces, the slug will move toward the open end with acceleration determined by the axial forces. If the exerted pressure force is not sufficient for the slug separation the expansion radial forces are applied to the barrel or the interface between the slug and the barrel is heated. After the separation the compressed media drives the slug toward the open end of the barrel.

Abstract: The cover of the inside container is firmly fixed on the sides of the exterior container. When the empty space between both containers is filled-up with any type of freezing liquid, an ice layer is created and preserves everything in the inside container for an unlimited period of time. A plastic membrane is inserted into a groove all around the inside portion of the external container. The liquid infiltrates in the groove above the membrane and when placed into a freezer nothing could affect or infect what is underneath the ice sealant.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a temperature-maintaing material includes the steps of (1) selecting a phase-change substance, (2) processing the phase-change substance to form a liquid, (3) processing the phase-change substance with high molecule material to form microcapsules, (4) drying the microcapsules, (5) mixing the microcapsules with adhesive and hardening agent to form a mixture and (6) melting, cooling down and pulverizing the mixture for further processing to form a coating on an object or a substrate.

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: A disposable container which has the ability to independently cool or heat a liquid beverage or food product by way of an endothermic or exothermic reaction. The container is disposable and has a double-walled configuration to create a chamber therebetween. Within the chamber is a chemical compound which when activated provides the desired reaction upon the contents within the container. Thus, there is no requirement that this device must be subjected to external refrigeration or heat.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to a method for modifying a vending machine to provide a vending machine for storing product at a temperature no greater than −40 degrees Celsius. The method of the invention includes the steps of replacing an existing refrigeration compressor with a different compressor having a higher compression and replacing an existing refrigerant with a more efficient refrigerant. Then, the length of an existing capillary tube was increased (preferably to approximately 21 inches). Finally, a new thermostat capable of achieving a −40 Celsius set point. In addition, in the preferred embodiment, the pre-existing thermostat was rewired into a safety switch, which is operable to disable the vending machine from dispensing product if the temperature exceeds the set point. A novel business method is also provided; namely a method of manufacturing and distributing ice cream.

Abstract: A beverage container including a body and a lower cap having a cooling element mounted thereon that extends into an interior portion of the body. The lower cap is removable for convenient charging (e.g., freezing) of the cooling element. The lower cap is then attached to the body and liquid is inserted into the body through an upper opening. A mixing fixture is integrally formed on the free end of the cooling element, and is used to mix the cooled liquid stored in the body with a powdered substance entered through the upper opening. In one embodiment, the beverage container is a multi-chambered container that includes a rotatable hollow member for storing the powdered substance, and a housing for securing the hollow member to the body such that a curved wall of the hollow member separates the powdered substance from the cooled liquid stored in the body.

Abstract: A method for maintaining selectable cold storage temperatures for protracted periods of time using pre-mixed thermal control materials having predetermined melting temperatures equal to the selectable cold storage temperatures is provided. According to preferred embodiments, the thermal control materials are solutions that are filled into cold packs and the solutions are frozen to maintain selected temperatures less than 0° C. The present invention includes methods of storage and transport of materials using the cold packs.

Abstract: A passive thermal control enclosure for transporting and storing payloads in earth orbit includes an inner box-like enclosure surrounded by an outer box-like enclosure with insulation in the space between the enclosures. The walls of the inner enclosure are fiber-matrix composite skins with honeycomb sandwiched therebetween. Each enclosure has its own door latched closed by releasable latches formed in opposed pairs that can be operated without any net force on the operator. Packs of phase change material (PCM) are placed into the inner enclosure with the payload. The PCM is contained in flexible packages. The packs of PCM are removed when they melt and replaced with fresh packs, and the melted packs preferably are re-frozen on-board the orbiting spacecraft. Freezing preferably is carried out such that the freeze front moves substantially in only one direction from one end of the pack to the other.

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 temperature modifying system for heating or cooling a product including a flexible outer container containing a product and a self-enclosed temperature-changing element is disclosed. The temperature-changing element includes a flexible pouch at least partially immersed in said product. The flexible film pouch may have two components separated by a rupturable barrier that is adapted to burst under an application of pressure allowing the two components to combine or react in an exothermic or endothermic event. The flexible film pouch may alternatively include a saturated salt solution that generates as it drops out of solution.

Abstract: Suggested is a throw-away container (1) for self-heating or self-cooling of liquids or solid matters, consisting of two spaces (16, 17) separated by an internal foil (7), a metal vessel (4) and a tear-off foil (5), said metal vessel (4) being wedged, glued or sealed to an upper component (3), which is via a thread (8) rotatably arranged in relation to a lower component (2) and the foil (7) is destructible by this rotational motion.

Abstract: An evacuated sorbent driven cooling device which may be added to a beverage or food container and which may also be affixed to, or integrated within, a panel of a beverage container.

Abstract: A method selling merchandise to golf course patrons, in which a storage unit is stocked with an exactly inventory of merchandise and is loaded onto a rental golf cart at the beginning of each rental period and made accessible to the rental patron as desired, the inventory retallied at the end of each rental period and the patron debited for the merchandise computed to have been removed from inventory. Cooled beverages can be dispensed from a storage unit which is cooled, as by the use of solar power, during the rental period.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an isothermal container provided with inside compartments divided by movable partitions and capable of receiving refrigerating means. Such compartments can be provided laterally, centrally, on the upper side, and on the lower side, and a separate smaller container inside the main container can also be provided.

Abstract: A self-heating metal can (10) has an indented base (16) defining an external cavity (20) which is utilised to contain beating means. The heating means comprises quicklime (26) filled within a first chamber (28) and water within a second chamber (32) of the cavity (20). A breakable membrane (24) separates the two chambers (28, 32) and the second chamber (32) is closed by closure (30). Depression of a button (50) of the closure moves an elongate piercing member (42) to pierce the membrane (24) so that water from the chamber (32) flows over the quicklime (22) to cause the exothermic reaction.

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 can has water on a pre-wetted wick (478), in a chamber and an adsorbent in another chamber communicable upon actuation of the can with the chamber. One or both of the chambers is at low pressure. Upon actuation the pressure of the wick drops, water vapour is absorbed by the adsorbent from the internal atmosphere and more water evaporates from the wick to replace it, thereby causing a cooling effect in heat generated in the adsorbent may be contained by but a take-up system, such as phase change material or microcapsules of high heat capacity material such as water.

Abstract: A self-cooling container apparatus for retaining a food item, including a container having a tubular container side wall and a container bottom wall having a certain configuration and being integrally joined to the container side wall and having a container lid; a receptacle having a tubular receptacle side wall and a receptacle bottom wall integrally joined to the receptacle side wall, the receptacle bottom wall having a configuration matching the certain configuration of the container bottom wall and abutting the container bottom wall such that pressure greater than ambient pressure within the receptacle is fully transmitted to the container bottom wall to enhance container column strength; the receptacle side wall and container side wall being spaced apart from each other to define therebetween an annular space for retaining refrigerant, the container side wall having a container side wall upper end configured as a container rim and the receptacle side wall having a receptacle side wall upper end configure

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to a method for modifying a vending machine to provide a vending machine for storing product at a temperature no greater than −40 degrees Celsius. The method of the invention includes the steps of replacing an existing refrigeration compressor with a different compressor having a higher compression and replacing an existing refrigerant with a more efficient refrigerant. Then, the length of an existing capillary tube was increased (preferably to approximately 21 inches). Finally, a new thermostat capable of achieving a −40 Celsius set point. In addition, in the preferred embodiment, the pre-existing thermostat was rewired into a safety switch, which is operable to disable the vending machine from dispensing product if the temperature exceeds the set point. A novel business method is also provided; namely a method of manufacturing and distributing ice cream.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of a bio-medical cryogenic system 10 is described having a unique canister support frame 100. The frame 100 is elongated when in the upright position having side walls 102 and 104, a top wall 114, a bottom wall 118, a back wall 122 and internal dividers 132 forming a narrow elongated cavity subdivided into canister compartments 136 having a front opening 130. Upright abutment lips 121 and 138 are positioned in the compartments 136 to prevent canisters 50 from being inadvertently dislodged from the compartments 136. Access slots 150 are formed in the back wall 122 and at least one of the side walls 102,104 to enable a laboratory person to insert their finger into the slot and push a canister forward while the other hand is lifting a front portion of the canister above the abutment lip 121 or 138.