Patents Assigned to Ontro, Inc.
  • Patent number: 6266879
    Abstract: A container having a container body, a thermic module at one end of the body, and a closure at the other end of the body initiates an internal exothermic (or, alternatively, endothermic) chemical reaction to heat its contents when auser actuates the thermic module. A plastic thermic module body is spin-welded to a plastic container body by rotating one relative to and in contact with the other. The container body has multiple layers, including an inner layer such as a so-called oxygen barrier layer that inhibits oxidation and spoilage of the contents, and spin-welding the container body to the module body seals the otherwise-exposed oxygen barrier layer against air or moisture intrusion. 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Assignee: Ontro, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Scudder, James L. Berntsen, William B. Farnham, Dan Gibbs, Ann T. Davern, Jerine J. Rosato, Michael S. Slocum
  • Patent number: 6178753
    Abstract: A self-heating or self-cooling container has a container body, a closure at one end of the body through which the contents of the container can be consumed, and a thermic module at the other end of the body having an actuator portion and an elongated reaction chamber portion that extends distally into the container body and contains a liquid reactant relatively more distally from the actuator portion than a solid reactant separated from the liquid reactant by a breakable barrier. When a user actuates the thermic module, an elongated actuator member punctures the barrier. The user can then immediately invert the container, allowing the liquid reactant to drain through the puncture into the solid reactant in the reaction chamber. The reactants mix and produce a reaction that, depending upon the reactants, either heats or cools the container contents by conduction through the thermic module wall. An advantage is that the user does not need to wait to invert the container after actuating it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Ontro, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Scudder, James L. Berntsen