Abstract: A heat exchange unit (HEU) for positioning internally of a container for housing a food or beverage, the HEU including a metal shell having an outer surface, and a metal top section having a skirt, which fits over the outer surface of the metal shell and is permanently secured to said metal shell by an adhesive material, compressed carbon particles are disposed within said metal shell and carbon dioxide gas is adsorbed by said carbon particles and upon activation of a valve secured to said top section desorbs to cool the food or beverage.

Abstract: A self chilling beverage container including a heat exchange unit having a pressurized medium therein secured internally thereof and including an over-pressure relief valve. The valve includes a hollow housing within which there is first and second valves. The first valve is operable to inject and release the pressurized medium into the container. The second valve is normally closed and is continuously exposed to the pressurized medium and in response to the pressure thereof reaching a predetermined level opens to exhaust the pressurized medium to the atmosphere to relieve the excess pressure.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cleaning, sanitizing and recharging a self chilling container having a heat exchange unit including compressed carbon internally thereof including a plurality of sources of cleaning and sanitizing materials connected through a plurality of valves to the container for injecting and exhausting the materials into and from the container. A source of carbon dioxide gas to be injected into said heat exchange unit to be adsorbed by said carbon. A source of chilled fluid and means for circulating the chilled fluid through the container during adsorption of said carbon dioxide gas to remove heat generated thereby.

Abstract: A self-cooling and self dispensing beverage container in the form of a keg which includes a heat exchange unit having a plurality of segments of compressed carbon disposed therein. A valve is secured to a tube attached to the REU housing for carbon dioxide to adsorbed and then desorbed by the carbon for cooling the beverage. A dispense gas canister is disposed within the container to automatically release carbon dioxide to maintain a pressure head within the container sufficient to assure dispensing of the beverage.

Abstract: A heat exchange unit (HEU) for positioning internally of a container for housing a food or beverage, the HEU including a metal shell having an outer surface, and a metal top section having a skirt, which fits over the outer surface of the metal shell and is permanently secured to said metal shell by an adhesive material, compressed carbon particles are disposed within said metal shell and carbon dioxide gas is adsorbed by said carbon particles and upon activation of a valve secured to said top section desorbs to cool the food or beverage.

Abstract: A self-cooling and self dispensing beverage container in the form of a keg which includes a heat exchange unit having a plurality of segments of compressed carbon disposed therein. A valve is secured to a tube attached to the REU housing for carbon dioxide to adsorbed and then desorbed by the carbon for cooling the beverage. A dispense gas canister is disposed within the container to automatically release carbon dioxide to maintain a pressure head within the container sufficient to assure dispensing of the beverage.

Abstract: An over-pressure relief valve for use with a container housing a pressurized medium. The valve includes a hollow housing within which there is first and second valves. The first valve is operable to inject and release the pressurized medium into the container. The said valve is normally closed and is continuously exposed to the pressurized medium and in response to the pressure thereof reaching a predetermined level opens to exhaust the pressurized medium to the atmosphere to relieve the excess pressure.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cleaning, sanitizing and recharging a self chilling container having a heat exchange unit including compressed carbon internally thereof including a plurality of sources of cleaning and sanitizing materials connected through a plurality of valves to the container for injecting and exhausting the materials into and from the container. A source of carbon dioxide gas to be injected into said heat exchange unit to be adsorbed by said carbon. A source of chilled fluid and means for circulating the chilled fluid through the container during adsorption of said carbon dioxide gas to remove heat generated thereby.

Abstract: An arteriovenous graft system is described. The arteriovenous graft system includes an arteriovenous graft that is well suited for use during hemodialysis. In order to minimize or prevent arterial steal, at least one valve device is positioned at the arterial end of the arteriovenous graft. In one embodiment, for instance, the arteriovenous graft system includes a first valve device positioned at the arterial end and a second valve device positioned at the venous end. In one embodiment, the valve devices may include an inflatable balloon that, when inflated, constricts and closes off the arteriovenous graft. By minimizing or preventing arterial steal, other complications associated with arteriovenous grafts are also avoided. For instance, the present invention is also well suited to preventing arteriovenous graft thrombosis, eliminating dialysis needle hole bleeding, and eliminating or minimizing arteriovenous graft pseudoaneurism formation.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for charging a self-chilling beverage can, in a self-chilling beverage can of the type involving a container-within-container construction wherein, for example, a granular carbon material is contained within the inner container, and charged with a gas that is absorbed into the carbon material under pressure, the beverage being placed into the space between the inner and outer containers, and further whereupon release of the charging gas, the temperature of the carbon material drops rapidly, enabling a transfer of heat from the contained beverage through the wall of the inner container into the carbon material. The present invention is directed to a method for providing accelerated charging of the charging gas into the inner container, while absorbing and/or transporting away heat generated by the compression of the charging gas. The invention is also directed to an apparatus for facilitating charging of such a self-chilling container.