Abstract: A spray cap for a spray container includes a tubular wall for connection to the spring container, a cap plate in which a plurality of spray slits is formed and a valve to admit air into the space defined by the wall but which prevents the outflow of liquid from the space to the exterior. The cap plate includes a support plate of polymeric material in which an aperture is formed. An insert of more resilient polymeric material is retained in the aperture and forms a liquid-tight seal with the support plate. The spray slits are formed in the insert. The support plate and the insert define a liquid flow path between the space and the spray slits and include respective opposed annular sealing areas which are situated upstream of the spray slits and are biased into contact with one another by the resilience of the insert.

Abstract: A spray cap for a spray container includes a tubular wall for connection to the spring container, a cap plate in which a plurality of spray slits is formed and a valve to admit air into the space defined by the wall but which prevents the outflow of liquid from the space to the exterior. The cap plate includes a support plate of polymeric material in which an aperture is formed. An insert of more resilient polymeric material is retained in the aperture and forms a liquid-tight seal with the support plate. The spray slits are formed in the insert. The support plate and the insert define a liquid flow path between the space and the spray slits and include respective opposed annular sealing areas which are situated upstream of the spray slits and are biased into contact with one another by the resilience of the insert.

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 container for holding a food or beverage which includes a heat exchange unit (HEU) secured internally thereof so that the food or beverage is in contact with the outer surface of the HEU, the HEU being closed by a frangible membrane which is punctured by a pierce pin when a twist base activator is rotated in a first direction to create dis-equilibrium to cause liquid carbon dioxide contained within the HEU to pass directly from the liquid to the gaseous state and pass through a restricted orifice to atmosphere to cool the food or 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 container for food or beverage which has a heat exchange unit secured internally thereof to be in contact with the food or beverage, the heat exchange unit is filled with liquid carbon dioxide and has a valve which when activated allows the liquid carbon dioxide to pass from the liquid state directly to the gaseous state through a restricted orifice which functions to maintain residual carbon dioxide in the heat exchange unit in the liquid state until all of the liquid carbon dioxide is exhausted from the heat exchange unit.

Abstract: Apparatus and process to adsorb carbon dioxide onto compacted activated carbon in a HEU while removing the heat generated by the adsorption. A cooling tunnel is provided and maintained at approximately five degrees Celsius by continuously flowing a refrigerant therethrough. A plurality of completed cans with HEU are arranged internally and gassing heads are attached to each HEU and maintained at approximately 10-15 Bar for a period of twenty to thirty minutes after which the gassing heads would be removed and a new batch of cans inserted.

Abstract: A module defining a plurality of cavities adapted to receive adsorbent material and movable from a loading station to a compaction station and to a transfer station, a plurality of rams at the compaction station for exerting pressure on the adsorbent material to compact it and rams at the transfer station to extract the compacted adsorbent material from said cavities.

Abstract: An apparatus and method which includes placing an HEU containing compacted carbon particles within a cavity defined within a fixture and connecting a source of carbon dioxide gas under pressure to the fixture and to the HEU for flooding the carbon particles within the HEU with the carbon dioxide gas under pressure for a predetermined period of time sufficient to totally purge the trapped air contained within the HEU and then placing a cover or cap on the HEU to retain the residual head of carbon dioxide gas on the carbon particles until the gassing cycle is accomplished.

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: 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: 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: 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: Beverage container (3) provided with a dispensing valve (7) and a dispensing channel (31) connected to said dispensing valve, wherein an operating arm (41) is provided which, in a position of rest, includes an angle with a plane at right angles to a longitudinal axis (L) of the dispensing valve, wherein a pressure body (19) is provided between the pivoting arm (41) and said valve (7), such that upon a pivotal movement of the arm from said position of rest the pressure body (19) is moved and the valve is opened by the pressure body.

Abstract: An outer container constructed of a non-metallic material and an inner container constructed of metal permanently secured to said outer container. The inner container houses a material which when activated alters the temperature of food or beverage housed within the outer container and in contact with an outer surface of the inner container. Preferably, the outer container is constructed of food grade glass or plastic or paper products having a waterproof interior and the inner container is permanently affixed thereto by a threaded plug or a washer like member welded thereto respectively.

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: 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.