Self-Contained Thermal Beverage System

Abstract

The present device is a self-contained system to cool a beverage quickly without any external mechanisms or support. The device comprises both the thermal system and a bladder holding a beverage. The device is received by the user, who activates it. A reaction occurs within the vessel, causing the contents of the bladder to rapidly change to a temperature that makes the beverage more enjoyable.

Description

PRIORITY

This application claims priority to Provisional Patent Application No. U.S. 61/733,961 by Kevin Joseph filed on Dec. 6, 2012. That application is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

A common issue with beverages is achieving and maintaining a desired temperature before they are consumed. When beverages are consumed, they are usually at a temperature that is different than their surroundings. If the environment is cold, the beverages are usually served warm. If the environment is hot, then beverages are usually served cold.

In order to keep a beverage below the outside temperature, there have been several options. One is a thermally insulated container, or cooler, where the beverage is not directly exposed to the environment. Frequently a user gets the beverage cool, and then places it in the cooler until it is to be consumed. The cooler may also have a cooling component, such as a cold pack, to help maintain the temperature in the cooler. This requires advanced preparation on the part of the user, which is not always a viable option.

Another option is to keep the beverage cooled until the moment it is consumed. This can be accomplished by the use of a refrigeration system, but refrigeration systems need some form of power to keep operating. This option requires some form of infrastructure to be used.

Related to the use of a refrigeration system is the use of ice to externally cool a beverage to to be added to the beverage when consumed. Ice cannot be used too far away from an ice source as it will melt. Further, the generation of ice typically involves a use of a refrigeration system that was previously discussed.

These constraints lead to problems. If a person purchases a beverage at a store, it may be too warm if he decides to drink it several hours later. If it is purchased at a public event, then it may be too far removed from the refrigeration source for optimal temperature, or the vendor may be limited in the number of beverages he can carry at once. There is a need for a system that allows a beverage to be purchased that can be cooled on command without the use of an independent cooling system.

SUMMARY

The disclosed device 100 comprises a self-contained beverage thermal system. The system may be sold as a complete unit to the consumer. The thermal system only requires a simple physical action to activate, and will bring the temperature of the beverage 420 down to a desired level. The system is designed to be an economical alternative to large scale refrigeration mechanisms. Once the beverage 420 is consumed, the entire system may be discarded without toxic concerns due to the use of materials used in the construction of the device 100.

FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows the elements of the exemplary embodiment of the disclosed device 100 before they are assembled together, including the vessel 200, packet 300, bladder 400, and thermal element 500.

FIG. 2 shows a cross section of an exemplary embodiment of the device 100 before activation.

FIG. 3 shows a cross section of an exemplary embodiment of the device 100 as the system is activating.

FIG. 4 shows a cross section of an exemplary embodiment of the device 100 when it is fully activated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An exemplary embodiment of the device 100 uses a thermal element 500 (in this case the nitrate based chemical Urea) combined with an activation element 310 (in this case water) to cool the beverage 420 contained in a vessel 200, which in this case is a bottle. When the activation element 310 mixes with the thermal element 500, the reaction that creates the combined element 600 that absorbs heat, cooling the beverage 420 in the bladder 400 via an endothermic reaction. While the exemplary embodiment uses a nitrate and water to cause an endothermic reaction, it is understood that any combination of non-toxic chemicals may be used to create an endothermic or exothermic reaction without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosed device 100.

Components

The device 100 involves the use of a vessel 200 with a bladder 400 holding a beverage 420 that is cooled by a user activated thermal system involving two or more elements that together cause an endothermic reaction. While exemplary embodiments will discuss a standard 16 oz. size plastic bottle as a vessel 200, it is understood that this could work on vessels 200 of any size and shape.

FIG. 1 shows the individual components of the exemplary embodiment of the device 100, comprising vessel 200 (a disposable bottle) with a thermal system (comprised of an activation element 310 held in a packet 300 and a separate thermal element 500) and a bladder 400 capable of holding a beverage 420. The bladder 400 holds the beverage 420 and allows the user to access the beverage 420 while preventing the thermal system from escaping from the vessel 200 once the device 100 is assembled.

The vessel 200 should be insulated to keep the cooling effect confined to the vessel 200 interior. This will concentrate the cooling effect inside the vessel 200 and also make sure the vessel 200 does not become so cool as to make grasping the vessel 200 uncomfortable. Additionally, the vessel 200 may be made of transparent, semi-transparent, or partially transparent materials. This may be useful if the thermal system includes a change in color that can indicate the cooling process is occurring, as will be explained below. In the exemplary embodiment, the walls 220 of the vessel 200 may be strong enough to resist longitudinally deformation, but weak enough to allow some lateral deformation by squeezing as needed. The walls 220 may also be of sufficiently elasticity to return to the original shape when the squeezing stops.

Next is the thermal system. The thermal system in the exemplary embodiment is a system that does not activate until the activation elements 310 and thermal elements 500 are mixed. While the exemplary embodiment uses two elements, it is understood that more elements may be used as needed to create different effects or to utilize different elements. In the exemplary embodiment, the thermal system will contain a thermal element 500 that will react when combined with an activation element 310. In this case, the thermal element 500 is Urea, and the activation element 310 is water.

While the exemplary embodiment uses water as an activation element 310, it may contain any chemical or mineral that causes the thermal reaction to begin when it comes in contact with the thermal element 500. The thermal reaction created by the activation element 310 mixing with the thermal element 500 will cause the beverage 420 in the bladder 400 to cool. There may be thermal elements 500 surrounding the bladder 400 on all sides to have as much of the thermal element 500 in contact with the bladder 400 as possible to cool the beverage 420. In the exemplary embodiment, the thermal elements 500 are in pellet form, but may be in any form without departing form the scope of the disclosure.

Before the thermal system is activated, the thermal element 500 is contained in the vessel 200 outside of the bladder 400 (which will be explained below), with the activation element 310 in a packet 300. The packet 300 is constructed to allow the activation element 310 to be distributed through the vessel 200 once the packet 300 is ruptured. The packet 300 will be positioned between the bladder 400 and the wall 220. This packet 300 should be of a shape that allows rupturing when the vessel 200 is squeezed, but not when the vessel 200 receives any other types of force. For example, the packet 300 should be durable to prevent accidental activation, but susceptible to fracturing upon localized pressure application. The packet 300 may be in any shape, including, but not limited to, cylindrical, rectangular prism, or other shapes. In alternative embodiments, the packet 300 may also be designed to be cylindrical and run a majority of the height of the vessel 200, a toroid and encircle the bladder 400, or in any other shape provided there is space in the vessel 200.

Additional elements may be added to the thermal system as needed. Elements may be added to slow or prolong the endothermic reaction. Elements may also be added to minimize any gaseous buildup caused by the reaction. Elements may also be added to cause the combination of activation element 310 and thermal element 500 to form a viscous material to prevent possible leakage. Any additional elements may be added to the system without deviating from the scope of this device 100.

In an additional exemplary embodiment, there may be multiple chambers of thermal element 500 and activation element 310. This could allow a much cooler beverage 420, or allow for the system to be used multiple times to make the cooling effect last longer.

The next major element is a bladder 400. The bladder 400 will hold the beverage 420 to be cooled by the thermal system. In the exemplary embodiment, the bladder 400 will hold less than the full volume of the vessel 200. The amount of space taken up by the bladder 400 will be based on a function of the volume needed for the thermal system. It is understood that the less space taken up by the thermal system allows for more space to be occupied by the bladder 400. In the exemplary embodiment, the bladder 400 will be surrounded by the thermal system on the sides and base, with the bladder aperture 410 coupled to the mouth 210 of the vessel 200.

In order to make the most use of the thermal system, the bladder 400 should allow for heat transfer. This may be accomplished by making the bladder 400 thin and/or out of thermally conductive materials. Thermally insulated materials may be used, but they may impede the use of the device 100.

Assembly

In an exemplary embodiment, the device 100 is assembled in steps. First, the thermal element 500 and the packet 300 are placed inside the vessel 200. The packet 300 is placed in the vessel 200 in such a manner that it may be ruptured when the vessel 200 is squeezed by the user. The packet 300 is secured to the vessel 200 in a manner that will keep it stationary. In an exemplary embodiment, the packet 300 is oriented above the thermal element 500 to assist in the mixing of the activation element 310 and the thermal element 500 when the packet 300 is ruptured.

The bladder 400 is then inserted and coupled to the mouth 210 of the vessel 200 by the bladder aperture 410. This results in the thermal element 500 and packet 300 being confined to the vessel 200 as long as the bladder 400 is intact and in place. In the exemplary embodiment, the bladder 400 is suspended in the middle of the vessel 200, with the thermal element 500 and the packet 300 on the sides surrounding the bladder 400. This allows the most thermal element 500 to make contact with the bladder 400 when the device 100 is activated.

The vessel 200 has a mouth 210 which is the only opening to the interior of the vessel 200. As a consequence, the only way out of the vessel 200 is through the mouth 210 as well. The bladder 400 is coupled to the vessel 200 is such a manner that there is no way to enter the interior of the vessel 200 outside of the bladder 400, but still allows the bladder 400 to be filled. As a result, the bladder 400 prevents any of the other contents of the vessel 200 from leaving via the mouth 210, and any contents entering the vessel 200 must enter the bladder 400. The resulting bladder 400 is filled with a beverage 420 and ready for use.

Operations

FIG. 3 shows the system as it begins to activate. There are several ways that the thermal system may be activated. In an exemplary embodiment, the packet 300 may be placed against the wall 220 of the vessel 200. If pressure is applied to the wall 220 of the vessel 200, the packet 300 will rupture, freeing the activation element 310 to make contact with the thermal element 500, causing an endothermic reaction generated by the resulting combined element 600 when the thermal element 500 and activation element 310 are mixed. The reaction will lower the temperature of the contents of the bladder 400, thereby cooling the beverage 320. The final temperature of the beverage 320 and the time it takes to reach that temperature will depend on the thermal element 500 and activation element 310 used. The final state of the device 100 with the thermal system completely activated is illustrated in FIG. 4.

In an alternate embodiment, the packet 300 may contain an activation element 310 of a distinct color or an activation agent 310 that causes a distinct color to appear when the combined element 600 is created. When the activation element 310 is released it now flows around the interior of the vessel 200, causing a color change noticeable if the vessel 200 is transparent. This could be allowed by a transparent vessel 200, semi-transparent vessel 200, or an opaque vessel 200 with a transparent “window” to the interior allowing the user to see the color to determine if the device 100 has been activated. This would have the additional advantage of allowing a user to know the thermal system has already been spent. This may also be accomplished by any similar system that could cause a noticeable color change.

In an alternate embodiment the vessel 200 may also have a thermometer strip on the outside, indicating the internal temperature of the vessel 200. The indicator may be based on a color change or any other form of temperature activated mechanism. This will allow the user to know when the desired temperature is achieved.

The previously disclosed embodiment was activated by squeezing the wall 220 of the vessel 200. In an alternative embodiment, the packet 300 may be placed at the bottom of the vessel 200. With a vessel 200 that also some longitudinal deformation, depressing the bottom of the vessel 200 may cause the packet 300 to rupture and start the thermal reaction.

In a further embodiment, the packet 300 may be ruptured by used of some form of rupturing mechanism. The vessel 200 may have a rupturing mechanism that is used when a particular spot on the vessel 200 is depressed. Alternatively, there may be a rupturing mechanism that is linked to the mechanism that covers the mouth 210 of the vessel 200. When the user removes the cover of the mouth 210 of the vessel 200, a motion occurs that causes the rupturing mechanism to pierce the packet 300 to break and release the activation element 310 into the vessel 200 to react with the thermal element 500.

In a further alternate embodiment, the activation of the thermal system may cause the resulting combination element 600 to form a viscous substance that does not leak. If the vessel 200 were to be punctured, there would be no leak of the combined element 600.

Disposal

In an exemplary embodiment, the device 100 is made from biodegradable materials, and the thermal element 500 and activation elements 310 are non-toxic. As a result, then the entire device 100 can be disposed of safely.

Alternatives

While these exemplary embodiments have been used to show how to cool a beverage, this could also be adapted to heat a beverage. For example, coffee beverages may be purchased with thermal system that allows a user to enjoy warm coffee as needed.

In a further exemplary embodiment, this device 100 can be adapted for any bottle, can, or other disposable drink packaging. It can also be used to create other forms of beverage storage, such as containers for multiple drinks (such as boxes for 12 cans of a beverage) or disposable coffee containers used to transport coffee to be poured at a different location.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered illustrative only of the principles of the device 100. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the method to the exact steps and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the method.

Claims

1. A container, comprising:

a vessel with a mouth,

a bladder residing within said vessel,

a liquid residing in said bladder, and

a thermal system residing within said vessel capable of changing the temperature of said liquid within said bladder.

2. The container of claim 1, wherein said bladder is coupled to said vessel at said mouth.

3. The container of claim 2, wherein said bladder is coupled to said vessel by coupling a bladder aperture around the interior perimeter of said mouth.

4. The container of claim 2, wherein said bladder is coupled to said vessel by coupling a bladder aperture around the exterior perimeter of said mouth.

5. The container of claim 1, wherein said thermal system comprises a plurality of elements to cool said liquid in said bladder when said plurality of elements are combined.

6. The container of claim 5, wherein at least one of said plurality of elements is contained in a packaging within said vessel that separates at least one of said plurality of elements from the remaining said plurality of elements.

7. The container of claim 6, wherein said thermal system activates when said at least one of said plurality of element is released from said packaging.

8. The container of claim 1, wherein said container is constructed from non-toxic materials.

9. The container of claim 1, wherein said thermal system cools said liquid.

10. The container of claim 1, wherein said thermal system heats said liquid.

11. The container of claim 1,

wherein said thermal system comprises a plurality of elements, and

wherein said thermal system activates when pressure is applied to said vessel.

12. The container of claim 11, further comprising:

a packet containing at least one of a plurality of elements,

wherein said packaging ruptures when said pressure is applied to said vessel, allowing said plurality of elements to combine.

13. The container of claim 1, wherein said vessel is made of a durable and flexible material.

14. The container of claim 1, wherein said thermal system further comprises a thickening element.

15. The container of claim 1, wherein said thermal system comprises:

a thermal element,

an activation element, and

a packet containing at least one of said thermal element and said activation element, separating said activation element and said thermal element,

wherein said activation element will remain separated from said thermal element until an outside force is exerted on said packet.

16. The container of claim 15, wherein said outside force causes said packet to rupture, causing said activation element to mix with said thermal element.

17. The container of claim 16, wherein the combination of said activation element and said thermal element will cause an endothermic reaction.

18. The container of claim 16, wherein the combination of said activation element and said thermal element will cause an exothermic reaction.

19. A system for changing the temperature of a liquid, comprising:

a vessel,

a bladder capable of holding said liquid, and

a thermal system comprising,

a thermal element, and

an activation element.

20. A method for changing the temperature of a liquid, comprising:

placing a thermal system in a vessel, said thermal system comprising an activation element and a thermal element,

placing a bladder in said vessel,

placing said liquid in said bladder, and

mixing said activation element and thermal element to produce a temperature changing reaction.