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US 10,850,911 B2Granted
Product heating with soluble container
AssigneeTempra Technology, Inc.
InventorsCullen M Sabin, Alan James Maskell
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A self-heating container includes a first substance and a second substance that are adapted to produce an exothermic reaction upon contact with each other, a soluble material between the first substance and the second substance, a frangible membrane physically separating the second substance from the soluble material, and a means for rupturing the frangible membrane.
Claims15
A self-heating container comprising:
- an inner cup;
- an outer cup, wherein the inner cup is at least partially inside the outer cup to define a space between the inner cup and the outer cup, wherein the space contains:
- a granular first substance and a liquid second substance that are adapted to produce an exothermic reaction upon contact with each other,
- a soluble container or bag containing and completely surrounding the granular first substance, wherein the soluble container or bag is made entirely of a soluble material;
- a frangible membrane physically separating the liquid second substance from the soluble container or bag;
- and
- a means for rupturing the frangible membrane, wherein the means for rupturing the frangible membrane comprises an annular ring with a downward-facing saw toothed cutting edge,
- wherein the means for rupturing the frangible membrane is coupled to the inner cup,
- wherein the inner cup is configured to rotate about a concentric axis relative to outer cup, and
- a cam or a screw thread configured to cause the inner cup to move in an axially downward direction relative to the outer cup as the inner cup is rotated about the concentric axis relative to the outer cup, and
- a drive ring coupled to a lower portion of the inner cup, wherein the drive ring has a plurality of extensions that are configured to engage and drive the annular ring.
8 more elements
A method of heating a product, the method comprising:
- providing a self-heating container, the self-heating container comprising:
- an inner cup containing a product to be heated;
- an outer cup, wherein the inner cup is at least partially inside the outer cup to define a space between the inner cup and the outer cup, wherein the space between the inner cup and the outer cup contains:
- a granular first substance and a liquid second substance that are adapted to produce an exothermic reaction upon contact with each other,
- a soluble container or bag containing and completely surrounding the first substance, wherein the soluble container of bag is made entirely of a soluble material;
- a frangible membrane physically separating the liquid second substance from the soluble container or bag;
- and
- a means for rupturing the frangible membrane wherein the means for rupturing the frangible membrane comprises an annular ring with a downward-facing saw toothed cutting edge;
- wherein the inner cup is configured to rotate about a concentric axis relative to outer cup,
- a cam or a screw thread configured to cause the inner cup to move in an axially downward direction relative to the outer cup as the inner cup is rotated about the concentric axis relative to the outer cup, and
- a drive ring coupled to a lower portion of the inner cup, wherein the drive ring has a plurality of extensions that are configured to engage and drive the annular ring;
- and
- rupturing the frangible membrane by rotating the inner cup relative to the outer cup.
10 more elements
A self-heating container comprising:
- an inner cup;
- an outer cup, wherein the inner cup is at least partially inside the outer cup to define a space between the inner cup and the outer cup, wherein the space contains:
- a granular first substance and a liquid second substance that are adapted to produce an exothermic reaction upon contact with each other,
- a soluble container or bag containing and completely surrounding the granular first substance, wherein the soluble container or bag is made entirely of a soluble material;
- a frangible membrane physically separating the liquid second substance from the soluble container or bag;
- and
- a means for rupturing the frangible membrane,
- wherein the means for rupturing the frangible membrane is coupled to the inner cup,
- wherein the inner cup is configured to rotate about a concentric axis relative to outer cup, and
- a cam or a screw thread configured to cause the inner cup to move in an axially downward direction relative to the outer cup as the inner cup is rotated about the concentric axis relative to the outer cup;
- and
- a patch in a bottom surface of the soluble container or bag, wherein the patch covers an opening in the soluble container or bag and is permeable to the liquid second substance and impermeable to the granular first substance.
9 more elements
A method of heating a product, the method comprising:
- providing a self-heating container, the self-heating container comprising:
- an inner cup containing a product to be heated;
- an outer cup, wherein the inner cup is at least partially inside the outer cup to define a space between the inner cup and the outer cup, wherein the space between the inner cup and the outer cup contains:
- a granular first substance and a liquid second substance that are adapted to produce an exothermic reaction upon contact with each other,
- a soluble container or bag containing and completely surrounding the first substance, wherein the soluble container of bag is made entirely of a soluble material;
- a frangible membrane physically separating the liquid second substance from the soluble container or bag;
- a means for rupturing the frangible membrane;
- wherein the inner cup is configured to rotate about a concentric axis relative to outer cup,
- a cam or a screw thread configured to cause the inner cup to move in an axially downward direction relative to the outer cup as the inner cup is rotated about the concentric axis relative to the outer cup;
- and
- a patch in a bottom surface of the soluble container or bag, wherein the patch covers an opening in the soluble container or bag and is permeable to the liquid second substance and impermeable to the granular first substance;
- and
- rupturing the frangible membrane by rotating the inner cup relative to the outer cup.
10 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.