Patents Assigned to Insta-Heat, Inc.
  • Patent number: 5979164
    Abstract: A thermic module for heating or cooling a material in a container produces an exothermic or endothermic reaction when a user presses an actuator button that causes two reactants in the module to mix. The module is removably engageable in an opening of a container by, for example, screwing it into a threaded opening. The container may have a double-walled construction, with a vacuum space between the inner and outer walls to slow heat transfer after the contents have reached the intended temperature. The module may thus be used to heat or cool beverages or foods in a conventional THERMOS-type vacuum bottle by using the module in place of the normal screw cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Insta Heat, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Scudder, James L. Berntsen
  • Patent number: 5941078
    Abstract: A container having a container body, a thermic module, and a closure heats or cools its contents by initiating a chemical reaction inside the thermic module when a user activates the container. The thermic module may include a module cap and a module body. Two reactants, such as calcium oxide and water, are retained in portions of the thermic module and separated by a barrier that is punctured when a user activates the container, thus allowing them to mix. The cap may have vent channels between surfaces of the module cap and the module body that allow gases to vent, yet prevent escape of unsightly solid particles. A filter ring may be included in the path of each vent channel to further prevent such escape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: Insta Heat, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Scudder, James L. Berntsen
  • Patent number: 5809786
    Abstract: A container having a container body, a thermic module at one end of the body, and a closure at the other end, heats or cools its contents by initiating a chemical reaction inside the thermic module when a user activates the container. The thermic module may include a module cap and a module body. Two reactants, such as calcium oxide and water, are retained in portions of the thermic module and separated by a barrier that is punctured when a user activates the container, thus allowing them to mix. The cap may have vent channels between surfaces of the module cap and the module body that allow gases to vent, yet prevent escape of unsightly solid particles. A filter ring may be included in the path of each vent channel to further prevent such escape. The solid reactant may be contained in a porous bag in the thermic module to still further minimize leakage of particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: Insta-Heat, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Scudder, James L. Berntsen
  • Patent number: 5626022
    Abstract: An container for holding a material, such as a food, beverage or medicine, includes a cap and a container body. The container body has a material cavity unitarily formed with a reactant cavity. The reactant cavity contains a solid reactant, and the cap contains a liquid reactant that, when mixed, produce an endothermic or exothermic reaction, depending upon the reactants selected. The cap has a tubular body section with an actuator disc closing one end and a breakable barrier closing the other end. With the exception of the barrier, the cap is of unitary construction. The cap has one or more prongs extending from the inner surface of the disc toward the barrier. When a user depresses the actuator disc, it flexes inwardly and moves the prongs toward the barrier. The reactants mix when the prongs puncture the barrier. Heat transferred between the two cavities heats or cools the material. The wall of the container that defines the reactant cavity may be pleated or corrugated to promote heat transfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1997
    Assignee: Insta-Heat, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Scudder, James L. Berntsen
  • Patent number: 5461867
    Abstract: An outer container for holding a material, such as a food, beverage or medicine with a sealed thermic module inside the container. The thermic module contains chemical reactants that mix upon actuation of the container by a user. Mixing of the reactants produces an exothermic or endothermic chemical reaction, depending upon the reactants selected. The contents of the outer container surround a portion of the outside surface of the thermic module, thereby facilitating conduction of heat. The thermic module has a hollow module body that is closed at one end and a module cap that seals the other end of the module body. The module body contains the solid reactant, and the module cap contains the liquid reactant. The module cap has a tubular section with a flexible member closing one end and a breakable barrier closing the other end. With the exception of the barrier, the cap is of unitary construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1995
    Assignee: Insta-Heat, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Scudder, James L. Berntsen
  • Patent number: D371513
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1996
    Assignee: Insta-Heat, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Scudder, James L. Berntsen