Abstract: A steam generator device has a first and a second chamber, and walls mutually isolating the two chambers. Reagents which react together to generate steam when in mutual contact are mutually separated by a barrier, and disposed in the first chamber. An opening member forms a first opening between the chambers and a second opening through the barrier. Hence the reagents come into contact via said second opening, the reagents react thereby generating steam, and the steam flows through the first opening into the second chamber.

Abstract: A steam generator device has a first (20) and a second chamber (21), and walls (15) mutually isolating the two chambers. Reagents which react together to generate steam when in mutual contact are mutually separated by a barrier (16), and disposed in the first chamber. An opening member (70) forms a first opening between the chambers and a second opening through the barrier. Hence the reagents come into contact via said second opening, the reagents react thereby generating steam, and the steam flows through the first opening into the second chamber.

Abstract: A self-heating container (10) has an internal cavity (22) for its contents and an external cavity (20) for a heating mechanism, for example, comprised of first and second chemically reactive materials which are arranged to be mixed when heating is required. A closure (30) closes the external cavity (20). When the heating mechanism is operated to mix the chemicals and cause an exothermic reaction, vapor, such as steam and hot air, is produced. The vapor is constrained to flow to the exterior of the closure (30) through grooves (62) therein. A sleeve (60) is arranged around the container (10) contiguous to the closure (30) such that the exiting vapor is constrained to flow between the sleeve (30) and the can (10). By this means, a user of the can is protected from coming into contact with the hot steam and air and the heat in the vapor generated can enhance the heating process.

Abstract: A self-heating container (10) has an internal cavity (22) for its contents and an external cavity (20) for a heating mechanism, for example, comprised of first and second chemically reactive materials which are arranged to be mixed when heating is required. A closure (30) closes the external cavity (20). When the heating mechanism is operated to mix the chemicals and cause an exothermic reaction, vapour, such as steam and hot air, is produced. The closure (30) carries an annular sealing flange (100) which engages with an annular shoulder (102) of the container. The sealing flange (100) seals the external cavity to atmosphere and preserves the reactivity of the chemicals therein. However, the sealing flange (100) is moved away from the shoulder (102) when the generation of the vapour increases the pressure in the external cavity (20) whereby the vapour is vented to atmosphere.

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: A self-heating container (10) has an internal cavity (22) for its contents and an external cavity (20) for a heating mechanism, for example, comprised of first and second chemically reactive materials which are arranged to be mixed when heating is required. A protective cover (52) is engaged on the can over the top end member (14) to prevent access to a ring-pull opener (50). The protective cover (52) has been shrunk onto the can such that it cannot be removed normally. However, when the can and its contents have been heated to the predetermined temperature by operation of the heating mechanism, the protective cover (52) expands in size relative to the can (10) and is removable. The ring-pull opener (50) may then be opened to enable the contents to be dispensed. After opening, the cover (52) may be reengaged on the can to provide an insulated drinking lip which protects the consumer against the heat of the can and provides a more pleasant surface to drink from than the edge of the can itself.

Abstract: A wide mouthed container (2) filled with beer (20) has a first closure member (12) applied thereto and held in position. The container is then moved along the filling line to a cleaning station at which the exterior thereof is subjected to high pressure jets of water to clean any contaminants therefrom. After drying, a second closure member (14) is screwed over the first closure member (12) to seal the container. In this manner, it is ensured that there are no contaminants on the exterior of the container near the mouth opening so that it is safe to drink from the container after opening.

Abstract: A container for a carbonated beverage has an interrupted external screw thread surrounding its mouth opening engageable with an internal screw thread of a rotatable closure. The rotatable closure is in two parts and has a stiffened top member and a separate, rotatable depending rim to rotatably engage on the container and hold the top member in sealing engagement with the opening of the container. To prevent missiling on opening, pressure venting means such as slots extending through the closure may be provided. Alternatively, the rotatable closure may be configured to have a two stage opening movement. As the rotatable closure is made in two parts it has a low opening torque.

Abstract: A self-heating container (10) has an internal cavity (22) for its contents and an external cavity (20) for a heating mechanism, for example, comprised of first and second chemically reactive materials which are arranged to be mixed when heating is required. A closure (30) closes the external cavity (20). When the heating mechanism is operated to mix the chemicals and cause an exothermic reaction, vapor, such as steam and hot air, is produced. The vapor is constrained to flow to the exterior of the closure (30) through grooves (62) therein. A sleeve (60) is arranged around the container (10) contiguous to the closure (30) such that the exiting vapor is constrained to flow between the sleeve (30) and the can (10). By this means, a user of the can is protected from coming into contact with the hot steam and air and the heat in the vapor generated can enhance the heating process.

Abstract: A beverage container (10) has a base member (16) indented to define an elongate external cavity (20). To provide a self-heating can, the cavity (20) is filled with quicklime and closed by a closure (30) which contains water. If the closure (30) is opened with the can inverted, water flows over the quicklime to cause an exothermic reaction. To provide evidence that the closure (30) has been operated to cause self-heating, the internal surface of a lid (34) is colored and/or provided with a bold pattern. The material of part of the closure (30) is transparent and the contained water is colored. For example, the water is red and the surface of the lid (34) is blue. In the initial full and unoperated state, the closure will appear red. After operation, during which the water exits, the closure will appear blue. The fact that the closure has been operated is immediately visually apparent.

Abstract: A closure (30) for a container is designed to facilitate the mixing of a first material within the container with a second material within the closure at the point of use. The first and second materials are generally chemically reactive. The plastics material closure (30) has a base (32) and a lid (34). The base (32), which is circular, has an annular peripheral rim (36) defining an annular recess (38) by which the closure (30) may be clipped onto a container (10). Radially inwardly of the rim (36) is an upstanding peripheral wall (40) defining a chamber (42) for containing the second material. A plunger (44) is affixed to the base (32) centrally of a convex button (50). When mixing of the first and second materials is required, the container (10) is positioned so that the base (32) of the closure is uppermost, and the button (50) is pressed to move the plunger (44) to push the lid (34) out of the opening of the chamber (42).

Abstract: A container for a beverage has a conventional external configuration with a cylindrical wall closed by a top member. The base member closing the other end of the wall is shaped to form an external cavity which extends within the container along its longitudinal axis. The wall defining the external cavity has a surface in contact with the contents of the container and this surface has a large surface area. The contents of the container can be cooled, heated, or kept hot, or kept cold by the insertion of container-less material into the external cavity. The inserted material may be heated or cooled before it is inserted, or it may be actuable to heat up or to cool down. The container is configured to be substantially the same size and shape externally as conventional containers, although it does have a smaller capacity. It can therefore be filled on the usual filling lines. Furthermore, the container can be filled and treated before the container-less material is retained in the external cavity.

Abstract: A container for a carbonated beverage has an interrupted external screw thread surrounding its mouth opening engageable with an internal screw thread of a rotatable closure. The rotatable closure has a top member which is inwardly domed or indented or otherwise shaped to impart the necessary stiffness thereto. To prevent missiling on opening, pressure venting means are provided. Such pressure venting means may comprise slots extending through the closure, and/or the rotatable closure may be provided with stops which impart a two stage opening movement thereto. A rotatable closure with a low opening torque is made into parts and has a top member and a freely rotatable peripheral rim carried by the top member.

Abstract: A container for a beverage has a conventional external configuration with a cylindrical wall closed by a top member. The base member closing the other end of the wall is shaped to form an external cavity which extends within the container along its longitudinal axis. The wall defining the external cavity has a surface in contact with the contents of the container and this surface has a large surface area. The contents of the container can be cooled, heated, or kept hot, or kept cold by the insertion of an insert into the external cavity. To ensure good heat transfer, the insert is push fitted into the external cavity. The insert may be heated or cooled before it is inserted, or it may be actuable to heat up or to cool down. The container is configured to be substantially the same size and shape externally as conventional containers, although it does have a smaller capacity. It can therefore be filled on the usual filling lines.