US3379025A - Cooling device - Google Patents

Description

April 23, 1968 w. R. DONNELLY COOLING DEVICE Filed Sept. 9, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 y Mm I. m m 0 0 mm a @Q MW April 3, 1968 w. R. DONNELLY 3,379,025

COOLING DEVICE IINVENTOR. W/L 119M 8 0OIVIVLLY 3,3793% Patented Apr. 23, 1968 ice 3,379,025 CJOLING DEVECE Wiiliam R. Donnelly, 993 Washington Ave., Pique, Ghio 4535s Filed Sept. 9, 1964, Ser. No. 395,231 11 Claims. (Cl. 62-4) This invention relates to a portable device adapted to serve as a receptacle for a container and providing means for readily changing the temperature of its contents. The invention further contemplates an improved packaging of various products normally having a predetermined range of shelf temperature, the optimal condition for use of which is achieved by a change in that temperature.

The invention Will be particularly described in reference to preferred embodiments having limited objectives. However, it should become obvious from the following that neither its application, its objectives, nor the form of its embodiment is limited thereby. Such is not intended.

A primary object of the invention is to provide a portable cooling device which is economical to fabricate, more efficient and satisfactory in use, adaptable to a wide variety of applications and unlikely to mulfunction.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel heat exchange device for use in application to packaged products.

Another object of the invention is to provide a simplified device for cooling beverages and foods which are normally stored in sealed containers.

A further object of the invention is to provide for the improved packaging of various products which as a precedent to their use normally require a change in their temperature.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a receptacle for a container of food, beverage or the like, which incorporates, in an improved manner, means for chemically inducing a change in the temperature of its contents.

Another object of the invention is to provide means whereby one may take a packaged product oil the shelf and, in a simple fashion, change its temperature prior to opening the package.

An additional object of the invention is to provide an improved bottle-type unit for chemically cooling a contained beverage or other food substance, which unit incorporates chemical constituents cf such a nature and so embodied as to enable said unit to be stored for indefinite periods of time without leakage of its chemical contents or deterioration of their functional capability.

Another object of the invention is to provide a squeeze bottle type of cooling unit, the cooling effect of which is dependent on the interaction of chemical constituents embodied therein and separated by means simply displaceable on squeezing the bottle.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved method of forming a package for a container of food, beverage or the like, which incorporates, in an improved manner, means for chemically inducing a change in the temperature of its contents.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device consisting of a flask the neck of which is so formed to serve as a suspension medium for a container of food, beverage, or other substance and the bottom of which contains chemicals simply separated and simply combined in response to a squeeze and shaking of the flask to provide communication and interaction between the chemicals and, thereby, a change in temperature of the flask contents.

Another object of the invention is to provide a simplified portable unit for cooling a container of beverage, food, or other substance.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a novel portable unit accommodating a container of food or other substance and adapted to change the tempera ture of its contents, as and when the need occurs, possessing the advantageous structural features, the inherent meritorious characteristics and the means and mode of operation above described.

With the above and other incidental objects in view, as will more fully appear in the specification, the invention intended to be protected by Letters Patent consists of the features of construction, the parts and combinations thereof, and the mode of operation as hereinafter described or illustrated in the accompanying drawings, or their equivalents.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, wherein are shown some but obviously not necessarily the only forms of embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 1 is an elevation view of a cooling device in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the device as shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view, on an enlarged scale, illustrating details of the neck of the receptacle portion of the device shown in IGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional View of another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 further illustrates, in cross-section, a manner of packaging a product in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates a modification applicable to the various embodiments of the invention; and

FIG. 7 shows yet another modification as contemplated by the present invention.

Like parts are indicated by similar characters of reference throughout the several views.

FIGS. 1 through 3 of the drawings reveal a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown, this embodiment provides a plastic squeeze bottle 10 generally cylindrical in form except for a tapered neck portion 11 which terminates at its upper end in a reduced cylindrical section 12. Its base 13 is exteriorly recessed and so formed to provide, centrally of its interior surface, a cylindrical pocket 14 defined by an inwardly projected wall section 15.

The pocket 14 accommodates the flanged base 26 of a cylindricaiiy shaped receptable 17 which extends upwardly of, spaced from and concentric to the bottle wall. The receptacle 17 may be of foil, carboard or any substance of a similar nature which will fiex under applied radial pressure as and for purposes to be further described. A friction ring 18 is interposed between the receptacle 17 and the peripheral wall of the pocket 14 immediately above the receptacle flange. The ring 18 serves, in an obvious manner, to maintain the established position of the receptacle 17 in the bottle 16.

In providing a cooling device in accordance with the present invention, the receptacle 17 is furnished with a charge of hydrous chemical. In a preferred form, this chemical is a gelatinous substance comprised of sodium thiosulfate and water. This composition is preferably about 150 parts of Na S O -5H O and 15 parts H O.

Nested within the top of the receptacle 17 is a sealing insert 19 in the form of a soft aluminum disc. It should be noted the cylindrical Wall of the bottle 15 has a radially expanded portion 20 in an area generally at the level of the disc 19, spaced about and concentric to the upper end of the receptacle.

Filling the bottom of the bottle 10 between the receptacle 17 and the bottle wall, in this instance, is a charge 3 of an endothermic chemical such as ammonium nitrate or ammonium chloride.

As may be seen, all the chemical elements of the invention unit are housed in the bottom of the bottle i distinctly separated.

At its upper extremity, the cylindrical section 12 includes an internal flange 21 which provides a lip defining the opening to the bottle it Spaced on the inner surface of the section 12, below the lip 21, is a series of vertically spaced, circumferential, ringiike projections 22. As in the case of the bottle 19, the projections 22 are adapted to flex. The projections 22 are of identical radial extent and their inner periphery defines a passage of smaller diameter than that defined by the lip 21.

As may be seen in FIG. 2 of the drawings, the neck of the bottle it) is thereby adapted to accommodate the insertion of a container 23, sus nded therein through the medium of the projections 22,. In inserting the container, it is thrust inwardly of the bottle until its out-crmost flange approaches the lip 21. in the process, since the passage defined by the projections 22 is arranged to be of smaller cross-sectional dimension than the container, the container is frictionally engaged by the projections 22 which are caused thereby to project inwardly of the bottle it), inclined to its central axis. The bottle is preferably designed so that on full insertion of the container to the extent shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the bottom of the container positions in vertic ly spaced relatively adjacent relation to the top of the receptacle 17. Since the bottle and its components, as described, are flexible, the projections 22, form a seal of the bottle in their frictional engagement with the container.

The device as just described affords a personal portable cooling unit which may be utilized to cool the contents of the container 23 as and when required and in an exceedingly simple fashion.

The invention unit, including the container 23, may be stored until such time as the contents of the container need to be cooled. It is a feature of the invention that in using a hydrous chemical having the preferred gelatinous composition, there is significant advantage. The form of this composition is such to not only preclude inadvertent leakage from the receptacle 17 during storage but during handling procedures as well. Thus, the shelf life of the invention devices prior to use is optimal.

To initiate cooling of the container 23 and its contents, once inserted in the bottle it as described, one need only squeeze radially inward on the bottle wall portion 20. This forces the bottle Wall against the upper end of the receptacle 17 which deforms under pressure. in the process of this deformation the disc 19 is also deformed to produce an opening from the receptacle 17. Then, on shaking the bottle, the hydrous chemical is caused to leave its receptacle and the endothermic chemical is caused to move upwardly in the bottle about the container and to contact and chemically intermix with the hydrous chemical. The result is an instant cooling effect. Due to the seal of the bottle by the container, the containcr and its contents receive the full effect of the chemical process. In this manner, one achieves a transfer of heat from the container and its contents which reduces their temperature in a most effective and efiicient manner.

Therefore, it may be seen that the invention device is economical and simple to fabricate and easy to employ. It should be noted that the manner in which the chemicals are introduced and stored in each bottle eliminates any need for structural complexity or involved assembly procedures in respect to the bottle components. The fact that the bottle unit, in a preferred form, utilizes chemicals of a nature and stored in a manner that there need be no concern for chemical leakage or deterioration of their functional capability is of significant interest to the art.

The invention units may be stored with or without the article to be cooled. When one desires to apply the article to be cooled in the bottle unit of the invention, the article is merely inserted in a plug-like fashion, whereupon it is simply and effectively suspended as described and forms a seal of the bottle contents. Further, it is a significant aspect of the present invention that the initiation of the cooling procedure is simple and requires no involved handling of a unit to achieve the desired results.

At this point attention is directed to FIG. 4 of the drawings which contemplates the packaging of a product in a somewhat different manner to achieve a further embodiment of the present invention. In this case, a plastic squeeze bottle 39 is employed which also has a generally cylindrical form and includes a tapered neck portion 31 which terminates at its upper end in a reduced cylindrical neck section 32. In this form of embodiment, the radial thickness of the neck portion 32 is designed to be greater than the thickness of the remainder of the bottle wall. Moreover, in contrast to the form of the neck portion 12, the inner surface of the neck portion 32 is relatively smooth and defines an entrance to the bottle which, in respect to its cross sectional dimension, is uniform throughout its length.

Further, the lowermost portion of the bottle wall has a generally uniform cylindrical contour and is bridged, per se, intermediate its extremities, by a soft aluminum disc 34. The disc 34 includes an upstanding peripheral Wall portion 35 which achieves a seal with the bottle wall. The portion of the bottle below the sealing disc 3 provides a chamber filled with a hydrous chemical. The top of the disc 34 is covered with a fill of an endothermic chemical of the nature previously described.

While, as in the first described instance, the constituent chemicals required to achieve a cooling device in accordance with the invention are located in the bottom of the bottle, here, however, the chemicals are separated in vertical layers.

In use of this embodiment of the invention, the 'bottle 36 receives a container 36 inserted in a plug-like fashion through the opening designed by the reduced cylindrical portion 32. The interior cross-sectional dimension of the portion 32 is made such to achieve a frictional and sealing relation to the outer surface of the container, adhesive being applied to the inner surface of the portion 32 prior to insertion of the container so as to insure an optimal seal.

The container 36 is illustrated to have a peripheral flange 37 at its outermost end which, upon insertion of the container, seats over the upper extremity of the bottle as defined by the uppermost end of the section 32.

Upon insertion of the container 36, to use the embodiment of FIG. 4, one need only squeeze inwardly on the lower portion of the bottle wall. The squeezing produces a deformation of the soft aluminum disc 34 which breaks away, at least in part, from the bottle wall. This provides a direct avenue of communication between the hydrous and endothermic chemicals. Contact between the respective chemicals is implemented by shaking of the bottle and the mixture of the chemicals produces an instant initiation of the chemical cooling effect as previously described.

Again, in this form of the invention, the utilization of the preferred gelatinous composition of the hydrous chemical inhibits a tendency of the hydrous chemical to seep from its chamber and to mingle with the endothermic chemical prior to the time of demand for cooling the container 36 is expressed by squeezing the bottle.

FTG. 5 illustrates a further aspect of the invention. In this case, a squeeze bottle 40 is formed of plastic having the property of elastic memory. The bottle 40' includes a tubular bottom portion 41 and a tapered neck portion 42, being formed to this extent substantially at the bottle 30. Trlowever, here the neck portion terminates in a reduced cylindrical portion 43 the wall of which, in cross-section, has an accordion shape. This provides the inner surface of the neck portion 43 with a series of vertically spaced,

inwardly projected ring-like ribs 44, the inner peripheries of which are uniformly dimensioned.

Contained in the bottom of the bottle 41 is a tubular section 46 of frangible polystyrene suitably sealed to either end and containing a charge of hydrous chemical, preferably of the gelatinous composition previously described. The bottom of the tube nests in a pocket formed on the bottom of the bottle 40 by an integral upstanding ring-like projection 45. This positions the tube vertically of the bottle, in spaced relation to the wall defining its tubular bottom portion 41. Introduced to the space between the tube 46 and the bottle wall is a charge 47 of what in this instance is an endothermic chemical such as ammonium nitrate or ammonium chloride. The charge 47 could, of course, as well be an exothermic chemical.

Keeping in mind that the bottle 40 is formed of plastic having the property of elastic memory, it is contemplated that the opening defined by the cross-section of the bottle portion 43 be smaller than the dimension of a transverse section of a can 48 to be inserted in the bottle. The can 48 represents a packaged product and its contents could be, for example, a beverage which normally requires cooling before use.

Prior to insertion of the can 43, the invention contemplates a tapered mandrel be inserted to expand the neck of the bottle at its portion 43 just sufliciently to receive the can and enable the rings 44 to effect a frictional contact therewith to suspend the can in elevated relation to and above the tube 46. Due to the elastic memory of the bottle material, in a short time the neck portion 43 contracts and thereby forms a tight seal about the can 48. In this way not only is the can firmly supported by rings 44 but the bottle is positively sealed.

A packaged product is provided thereby having a long shelf life and including self-contained means for changing its temperature as and when the need occurs.

When one is ready to use the product, one need only squeeze the bottle portion 41 to thereby break the frangible tube 46. This brings the hydrous and endothermic chemicals in contact, which contact is implemented by shaking the bottle. A chemical reaction is produced which, in this case, draws heat from and chills the can 48 and its contents.

The advantages of the manner of forming the package above described and the resultant product are believed readily obvious.

FIG. 6 of the drawings illustrates a modification of the invention which may be applied to embodiments such as those previously described in reference to FIGS. 2 and 5 of the drawings. It shows a bottle 50 including a neck 51 having a cylindrically reduced portion 52 at its upper extremity. In this case the entire bottle is of generally uniform Wall thickness. The neck portion 52 receives, in plug-like fashion, a container 56, the contents of which are to be cooled. However, the actual seal between the neck portion 52 and the container is achieved by placing about the neck portion a heat shrinkable tape or tubing 54. On shrinking the tape or tube, the neck portion 52 is confined thereby to seal about the container in a manner believed obvious. The change afforded by this form of embodiment of the invention may have particular utility for certain applications Where one may, for some reason or other, be unable to or not wish to form the neck portion of the bottle in the manner described with reference to the previously mentioned embodiments.

FIG. 7 of the drawings reveals an additional medium for sealing the neck of a squeeze bottle in reference to an inserted container the contents of which are to be cooled. A bottle 64 is shown to include a neck portion 61 terminating in a cylindrically reduced portion 62 having a generally uniform cross-sectional dimension throughout its longitudinal extent and a smooth interior surface. However, in this modification of the invention, the neck portion 62 has an external thread 63. Moreover, the neck portion 62 is of an internal dimension to receive a container 66 the contents of which are to be cooled and have the flange 67 of the container dispose on the upper end thereof. Once this occurs, a seal of the body 60 through the medium of the container is achieved by application of a cap member 65, the dependent wall portion of which has an internal thread 68. The cap is centrally apertured in this instance. Thus on threadcdly engaging the cap to the portion 62 of the bottle, the flanged end of the container 66 is sealed across the top of the bottle with obvious results.

The contents of the bottle in the case of the modifications shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 of the drawings, may be of a nature and separated in any such fashion as previously described with reference to other embodiments shown in the drawings.

Thus, the present invention affords an extremely unique device for cooling the contents of a container. The device is personal in character and may be readily and easily fabricated, readily transported, readily stored and readily handled.

While the various embodiments of the invention and the modifications thereof have been particularly described in reference to achieving a cooling package, the invention is obviously not so limited. The chemicals introduced in separate form within the bottle structures of the invention may just as readily be of a nature to include an exothermic chemical in lieu of an endo-thermic chemical and designed to be appropriately combined with water or other suitable material. In any case, on squeezing the bottle, one breaks the seal between the respective chemical constituents and subsequent shaking of the bottle causes the constituents to intermingle and produce a chemical reaction adapted to result in a heating of the contents of a container which is introduced to plug the neck of the bottle. Accordingly, the nature and function of the bottle unit of the invention as a heating device should be readily obvious.

From the above description it will be apparent that there is thus provided a device of the character described possessing the particular features of advantage before enumerated as desirable, but which obviously is susceptible of modification in its form, proportions, detail construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the principle involved or sacrificing any of its advantages.

While in order to comply with the statute the invention has been described in language moreor less specific as to structural features, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown, but that the means and construction herein disclosed comprise but one of several modes of putting the invention into effect, and the invention is therefore claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the legitimate and valid scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A portable device for changing the temperature of a container and its contents consisting of a squeeze bottle type receptacle having at its bottom an enclosure forming an annular chamber with the squeeze bottle, said enclosure maintaining separated charges of chemicals which on contact are capable of inducing a heat transfer in reference to the bottle contents, a portion of said enclosure providing rupturacle means separating the respective charges of chemicals, said bottle having a neck portion at its top defining the opening thereto and, in connection therewith, means for supporting the container in nested relation to said bottle and in elevated relation to said enclosure and chemical contained therein, said supporting means providing, with the container, a seal of said bottle, said rupturable means being arranged and oriented substantially transversely of said bottle so as to rupture an application of a radially applied pressure causing the wall of the squeeze bottle to engage and squeeze said enclosure, thereby rupturing the rupturable means to produce an opening for communicating said chemicals to provide a reaction enabling a heat transfer in respect to the contents of the supported container.

2. The device as set forth in claim 1 characterized by a wall portion of said bottle being formed to define means for pressuring said rupturable means in a manner to create the opening communicating said chemicals whereby on shaking the bottle the chemicals will intermingle and produce the chemical reaction which results in a change of the temperature of the container and its contents.

3. A device as set forth in claim 2 wherein one of said charges comprises a hydrous chemical having a gelatinous form.

4. A cooling device comprising a first receptacle including flexible wall portions, means defining a second receptacle fixed in the bottom of said first receptacle, arranged to accommodate a charge of hydrous chemical and to form a chamber thereabout, said chamber being open to the top and arranged to accommodate a charge of an endothermic chemical, said second receptacle including a deformable seal arranged in a sense transversely to said first receptacle, said seal being responsive to a squeeze of said fiexible wall portions to provide an opening from said second receptacle and means in said first receptacle for suspending a container and its contents in elevated relation to said second receptacle and in a manner to form a seal of said first receptcale thereby.

5. The device as set forth in claim 4 wherein said suspending means defines the opening to said first receptacle and includes internally projected vertically defiectable spaced ribs for irictionally gripping a container and forming a seal thereabout.

6. A cooling device comprising a bottle-type receptacle having an opening at its top and means therein defining a normally closed receptacle for a charge of hydrous chemical in its bottom, said means forming with a portion of said bottle an open pocket arranged to receive a charge of a second chemical which on intermingling with said hydrous chemical will produce a chemical reaction adapted to instantaneously initiate a change in the temperature of the bottle contents, and means in connection with the neck of said bottle for connecting a container the contents of which are to be affected by the chemical reaction and providing a seal of the bottle thereby, said container being suspended within said bottle to occupy a vertically spaced relation to said receptacle and a laterally spaced relation to the sides of said bottle, the space surrounding said container providing a chamber for application of cooling effects to the container.

7. A cooling device comprising, a first plastic deformable container, at second deformable and rupturable container having therein a charge of a hydrous chemical, said second container being disposed at the bottom of said first container and spaced therefrom to provide an annular space, a second chemical in the said annular space which reacts endothermically upon contact with said first chemical, a third container nested in the upper portion of the first container and spaced from the first container to provide an annular space communicating with the annular space between the first and second container, the upper ends of the respective first and third containers being in sealed relationship with one another, said third container being disposed above and spaced from said second container, said first second containers being arranged so that upon the application of radial pressure to the first container, the second container is ruptured to communicate the respective chemicals contained therein to provide a refrigerating effect for the third container.

8. A cooling device, comprising a first plastic deformable container having a lower portion to be received in the grasp of the hand for squeezing and having further an upper portion extending substantially above said lower portion and terminating in a neck portion, normally separated chemicals in the lower portion of said first container producing an endothermic reaction when in contact with one another, a separator between said chemicals positioned to be within the grasp of a hand squeezing the lower portion of said first container to be forcibly rendered inoperative to separate said chemicals, and a second container received in said first container through said neck portion and suspended therefrom, said second container terminating within said first container at an intermediate location therein above said separator, lateral dimensions of said second container being such as to define an open annular chamber in the upper portion of said first container surrounding said second container, communication of said chemicals having a cooling effect in said chamber on the wall of said second container.

9. A cooling device according to claim 8, characterized in that said neck portion is reduced in diameter relative to upper and lower portions of said first container to achieve a sealing engagement with the upper end of said second container, said neck portion being short in length to expose the major length of said second container to the cooling effects in said annular chamber.

1%. A cooling device according to claim 8, characterized in that said second container terminates within said first container above the chemicals in the lower portion thereof to expose the bottom of said second container in an intermediate chamber communicating with said annular chamber, one of said chemicals being in communication with said intermediate chamber, said separator being forcibly rendered inoperative by contact of the Wall of said first container therewith, squeezing of said first container being continued until said separator loses its ability to separate.

11. A cooling device according to claim 10, wherein said separator includes a deformable disc laterally disposed in said first container, characterized by an annulus integrally formed in said first container at the level of said separator marking a location for maximum applied squeezing pressure.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,721,311 1/1929 Muenchem 62-4 2,515,840 7/1950 Rodeck 62-4 2,714,974 8/1955 Sawyer 62-4 2,746,265 5/1956 Mills 62-4 2,968,932 1/1961 Vance et al. 62-4 3,003,324 10/1961 Vance et a1. 62-4 3,191,392 1/1965 Donnelly 62-4 FOREIGN PATENTS 43 8,834 9/ 1948 Italy.

NORMAN YUDKOFF, Primary Examiner.

WILBUR L. BASCOMB, 5a., Examiner.

G, P. HINES, Assistant Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. A PORTABLE DEVICE FOR CHANGING THE TEMPERATURE OF A CONTAINER AND ITS CONTENTS CONSISTING OF A SQUEEZE BOTTLE TYPE RECEPTACLE HAVING AT ITS BOTTOM AN ENCLOSURE FORMING AN ANNULAR CHAMBER WITH THE SQUEEZE BOTTLE, SAID ENCLOSURE MAINTAINING SEPARATED CHARGES OF CHEMICALS WHICH ON CONTACT ARE CAPABLE OF INDUCING A HEAT TRANSFER IN REFERENCE TO THE BOTTLE CONTENTS, A PORTION OF SAID ENCLOSURE PROVIDING RUPTURABLE MEANS SEPARATING THE RESPECTIVE CHARGES OF CHEMICALS, SAID BOTTLE HAVING A NECK PORTION AT ITS TOP DEFINING THE OPENING THERETO AND, IN CONNECTION THEREWITH, MEANS FOR SUPPORTING THE CONTAINER IN NESTED RELATION TO SAID BOTTLE AND IN ELEVATED RELATION TO SAID ENCLOSURE AND CHEMICAL CONTAINED THEREIN, SAID SUPPORTING MEANS PROVIDING, WITH THE CONTAINER, A SEAL OF SAID BOTTLE, SAID RUPTURABLE MEANS BEING ARRANGED AND ORIENTED SUBSTANTIALLY TRANSVERSELY OF SAID BOTTLE SO AS TO RUPTURE AN APPLICATION OF A RADIALLY APPLIED PRESSURE CAUSING THE WALL OF THE SQUEEZE BOTTLE TO ENGAGE AND SQUEEZE SAID ENCLOSURE, THEREBY RUPTURING THE RUPTURABLE MEANS TO PRODUCE AN OPENING FOR COMMUNICATING SAID CHEMICALS TO PROVIDE A REACTION ENABLING A HEAT TRANSFER IN RESPECT TO THE CONTENTS OF THE SUPPORTED CONTAINER.

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