RU2588156C2 - Heat exchange unit for self-cooling containers - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: food industry.

SUBSTANCE: heat exchange unit to be placed inside container for storage of food or beverage includes metal shell, which has outer surface, closed bottom and open top end ending with rim, metal top section, which substantially thicker than metal shell and having hole formed by bending and skirt. Skirt inner surface has continuous arm which is located between opening and skirt. Metal shell rim is adjacent to arm of skirt so that skirt inner surface covers outer surface of shell. Adhesive for gluing metal with metal is located between inner surface of upper section and outer surface of cover to fix metal top section with shell.

EFFECT: invention provides safe usage with simplified design.

6 cl, 7 dwg

Description

RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application is based on US Provisional Application 61 / 327,516, filed April 23, 2010 for a Heat Exchange Unit for Self-Cooling Containers, and claims to be based on this.

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

[0002] The present invention generally relates to containers in which a pressurized medium is placed, such as self-cooling or self-heating containers for food and drinks, and in particular to an improved heat exchange unit that is placed inside a self-cooling container for cooling a product, such as food or a beverage, the heat exchange unit being fixed inside the container and accommodating the medium under pressure.

BACKGROUND

[0003] For a long time there was a need to create a simple, effective and safe device that could be placed inside a container, such as a container for food or drinks, in order to cool or heat a product, such as food or drink, when required. With regard to self-cooling containers, various types of devices have been developed to carry out such necessary self-cooling, and various types of refrigerants have been disclosed to carry out such cooling. Cooling devices may be chemical, electrical, and may include gas reactions and the like. Typical examples of such devices are described in US patents 2,460,765; 3,373,581; 3,636,726; 3,726,106; 4,584,848; 4,656,838; 4,784,678; 5,214,933; 5,285,812; 5,325,680; 5,331,817; 5,394,703; 5,606,866; 5,692,381; 5,692,391; 5,655,384; 6,102,108; 6,105,384 and 6,125,649.

[0004] Self-cooling devices used in the prior art, presented in the above patents, in most cases do not meet the stated requirements.

Some of the identified shortcomings include the fact that these devices are in most cases based on toxic or environmentally harmful substances, they require very cumbersome pneumatic circuits, and from an economic point of view they cannot be used in small containers, such as cans for food or drinks, and they have a rather complicated design, and therefore their manufacture and maintenance is expensive and inefficient.

In addition, it was found that if the pressure inside the heat exchanger block rises to a certain value, the part of the heat exchanger block containing the control valve may be affected by its movement, causing the destruction of the heat exchanger block and, in the worst case, a complete malfunction of the container .

[0005] FIG. 1, 2 and 3, three different embodiments of known containers are illustrated, within which a heat exchange unit is located for cooling a beverage contained in an external container.

[0006] As shown in FIG. 1, the container (10) contains a heat exchange unit (24), which is placed inside the container and is surrounded by a drink (26), which must be cooled. The container comprises a lid (18) that contains the known opening eye (12) attached to the flat section (14) so that when the eye (12) is lifted, the flat section (14) bends into the container (10). The manipulation of the eyelet (12) by which the tear-off flat section (14) passes into the container (10) is well known. The lid (18) traditionally contains an angled protrusion (20), which is attached to the upper end (22) of the container (10). The heat exchange unit (24) accommodates a cooling medium, the internal pressure of which can increase under various conditions, and if the pressure is high enough, the upper part (28) of the heat exchange unit (24), which contains a crimp flange (30), attaches the valve (32) to heat transfer unit, may stretch or break, which causes a malfunction of the device.

[0007] FIG. 2 shows another container (40), known from the prior art, having a heat exchange unit (50) placed inside it so as to be surrounded by a drink (42) that needs to be cooled. The top of the beverage container (44), as shown in (46), has a known eyelet (48) similar to that described previously. The heat exchange unit (50) contains a distribution valve (52) attached to the plug (54), mounted on the upper part of the heat exchange unit (50) and attached to it. The valve (52) is supported by a skirt or hem (54) which is held in place by crimping over the top (56) of the plug (54). A protective coating (58) is placed on top of the actuating valve (52) rod to protect it from accidental activation. The heat exchange unit (50) and the valve (52) are attached to the bottom (62) of the can (44). Also, in the case of excess pressure in the compressed medium inside the heat exchange unit (50), a gap between the plug (54) and the housing of the heat exchange unit (50) will lead to a malfunction of the device.

[0008] More specifically, in FIG. 3 depicts another embodiment of the known beverage cooling container (112), which comprises a heat exchange unit (120) having an adsorbent (138) inside, which in a preferred embodiment is activated carbon, which receives pressurized carbon dioxide introduced through a valve mechanism (124) for entering into the interior of the heat exchange unit through the hole (128) for adsorption of coal. The valve (124) is held in place by an edge (122), crimped on the neck in the upper part (132) of the heat exchange unit (120). A protective coating (150) is placed on top of the valve (124) activating rod (130) to protect it from accidental activation. When the activation rod (130) is pressed, carbon dioxide is desorbed from the coal to cool the beverage (114). The upper part (116) of the container (112) contains a known opening for opening (not shown), as described previously. Also, in the case of excess pressure of compressed carbon dioxide inside the heat exchange unit (120), the narrowed part (134) of the heat exchange unit (120) will move outside, thereby causing the valve to release, and will lead to malfunction of the device.

[0009] Therefore, there is a need for a device that can be placed in a container and function as a heat exchange unit to cool its contents, such as food or drink, which would be simple, effective and safe, even under relatively high pressure conditions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[00010] An improved heat exchanger unit for use inside a self-cooling container, comprising a metal shell having a closed bottom and an open top, where a compressed absorbent material is placed inside the shell, and a metal upper section having a single bend at the open upper end is placed above the open end of the shell and attached to the outer surface of the shell using glue for bonding metal with metal, fastening the upper portion to the specified metal shell.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[00011] in FIG. 1, 2 and 3 presents the prior art;

[00012] in FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a completed assembly of a heat exchange unit constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

[00013] in FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the heat exchange unit of FIG. 4, shown from the position of line 5-5;

[00014] in FIG. 6 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the upper portion of the heat exchange unit of FIG. four;

[00015] in FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view of a cross-sectional view illustrating the attachment of an upper portion of a heat transfer unit to a shell of said heat transfer unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[00016] More specifically with reference to FIG. 4: A heat exchange unit (200) is provided having a metal shell (202) and a metal upper portion (204) attached to the upper part of the shell (202), as described in more detail below.

[00017] The upper part of the upper portion (204) of the heat exchange unit ends with an opening (206) formed by a single bend (208). The one-piece bend (208) accommodates the valve mechanism described above and known in the art, which is supported by a standard mounting element having a base within which a suitable control valve is secured with a seal. The valve comprises a known stem extending through a central opening in the base and onto a safety device that opens in case of overpressure. The mounting element is inserted into the hole (206) of the upper portion, and its outer part is attached to the bend (208) using a crimping operation known to those skilled in the art. The crimping operation not only attaches the valve device to the heat exchanger block (200), but also additionally closes and seals the open upper end of the heat exchanger block, and the jar to which it is usually fixed using a seal (not shown). A more detailed description of the valve and crimping process is disclosed in US Pat. No. 6,105,384, which is incorporated herein by reference and is generally illustrated in FIG. 3 and described above.

[00018] The heat exchange unit (200) may contain a refrigerant, any one known in the art, which is used to remove the heat contained in the beverage from the beverage to the atmosphere by evaporating the refrigerant upon activation of the heat exchange device. In the previously mentioned patents known in the prior art, various types of refrigerants have been disclosed. However, the preferred refrigerant for the present invention is an adsorption / desorption mechanism, preferably using materials such as zeolites, silicate cation exchangers, silicic acid gel, activated carbon, carbon molecular sieve and similar adsorbents. These adsorbents are capable of adsorbing a substantial amount of gas under pressure conditions for its further release. The gas adsorbed in this way can be any suitable atmosphere-friendly gas.

A preferred gas according to the present invention contains carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide adsorbed in an adsorbent, preferably activated carbon particles, when released into atmospheric pressure will experience a significant jump in temperature, thereby cooling the contents of the beverage that is in contact with the outer surface of the heat exchange unit (200). A more detailed explanation of the adsorption cooling system based on carbon and carbon dioxide is contained in US patent No. 7,185,511, incorporated herein by reference. Therefore, further and more detailed description of the cooling system based on carbon and carbon dioxide will not be given in the present description.

[00019] As shown in FIG. 5, the metal shell (202) has a closed bottom (203) and an open top (205) ending in a rim (207) and preferably made of impact-extruded aluminum. The carbon element or gasket (210), which is a highly compressed mass, preferably of activated carbon particles and graphite material with a binder, is preformed and inserted into the shell of the heat exchange unit, while the carbon gasket extends substantially up close to the upper perimeter (212) shell heat transfer unit. Due to the use of an open end sheath and preformed gasket (210) of carbon material, a maximum amount of adsorbent material may be contained within the heat exchange unit.

When the valve described above is secured to the upper portion (204), pressurized media such as carbon dioxide is introduced through the valve into the heat exchange unit (200) and adsorbed by the compressed coal particles contained in the coal packing (210). When the valve is activated, carbon dioxide is desorbed from coal, cooling the food or drink in the container in which the heat exchange unit (200) is placed.

[00020] As shown in FIG. 6, the upper portion (204) of the heat exchange unit (200) is shaped so that its skirt (216) is fitted over the outer surface (218) of the shell of the heat exchange unit (202) so that its end is placed above the open upper end of the metal shell (202) and passes down along the outer surface (218) of the specified shell (202). The skirt (216) of the upper section (204) contains an inner surface (214), which can form several grooves, as shown in (220), (222) and (224). A suitable adhesive is applied to the inner surface (214) of the upper portion (204) for bonding metal to metal in order to permanently bond the upper portion (204) of the heat exchange unit (200) to the shell of the heat exchange unit (202). It should be noted that the inner surface of the upper portion (204) may be smooth or may form at least one trough as required. Various food adhesives can be used provided that they form a permanent bonding of the upper part (214) and the shell (202) of the heat exchange unit (200) and a reliable seal to hold carbon dioxide under pressure inside the heat exchange unit. Examples of such an adhesive that can be used are epoxy adhesives, acrylic varnishes and similar materials.

[00021] The upper portion (204) may be made of a suitable metal billet, such as stainless steel. Preferably, the upper portion (204) may be cast from zinc or aluminum. If the upper section (204) is made by cutting or casting or by other methods, such as stamping, molding or extrusion on a turning and pressing machine, it is strong enough to withstand the pressure generated by pressed coal, and even at high temperatures will not to breakdowns.

[00022] As shown in more detail in FIG. 7, the upper section (204) is made to contain a shoulder or protrusion (226), which is located on the inner surface (214) of the upper section (204) above the grooves (220), (222) and (224), if any. The shoulder (226) is designed to connect to the rim (207) of the shell (202) of the heat exchange unit (200). After the charcoal packing (210) is placed inside the shell (202), a sliding landing of the upper section (204) is carried out with the corresponding glue applied inside it onto the outer surface (218) of the shell (202) until the rim (207) touches the shoulder ( 226), at this moment the upper section (204) is installed in its place. After applying the adhesive, the upper section (204) is permanently placed and held, being glued to the shell (202) so that it cannot be displaced. It is also contemplated that a seal, such as a weld (228), will be made between the lower face (230) of the upper portion (204) and the outer surface (218) of the sheath (202). Such a seal or weld allows (228) to control a sharp change in the contour of the container, and prevents the possibility of ingress of contaminants.

[00023] The open upper portion (208) of the upper portion (204) is formed to form a single bend (232) in which the crimped edge of the outer periphery of the valve mounting member is located, as described above. The upper portion (204) of the heat exchange unit (202) is made of zinc or aluminum, preferably obtained by injection molding, and is strong enough to not collapse and not move under pressure, which can be generated by a cooling medium such as carbon dioxide adsorbed by carbon stuffing (210).

[00024] When using a structure such as described in detail and illustrated above, the maximum amount of highly compressed coal particles can be placed in the shell of the heat exchange unit to maximize the amount of carbon dioxide that can be adsorbed by the heat exchange unit. As is well known and described in the prior art, when the valve through which carbon dioxide is introduced inside the carbon packing (210) is activated, the adsorbed carbon dioxide is desorbed from the coal particles and leaves the heat exchange unit, thereby removing the heat of the food or drink surrounding or surrounding the outside the surface (218) of the heat exchange unit, and thus cools the food or drink to the desired temperature to make it or it more pleasant or enjoyable. As described in US Pat. No. 6,105,384, incorporated herein by reference, a protective food coating may be applied to the entire outer surface of the heat transfer unit to avoid contamination of the food or drink surrounding or surrounding the heat transfer unit, or a possible change in their taste. The coating may be a food grade epoxy adhesive having a thickness of 4 to 10 microns.

[00025] A heat exchange unit is disclosed herein that is constructed from materials having sufficient strength and configured to be efficient and safe even under relatively high pressure conditions.

Claims (6)

1. A heat exchange unit for placing a medium under pressure for use in cooling food or drink placed or placed in a container and surrounding or surrounding a heat exchange unit, comprising:
a metal shell having an outer surface, a closed bottom and an open upper end ending in a rim,
an injection molded metal upper portion that is substantially thicker than the metal shell and having an opening formed by a single bend and a skirt having an inner surface and an end located above the open upper end of the metal shell and extending downward along the outer surface of the shell
the inner surface of the specified skirt has a continuous shoulder located between the specified hole and the specified end of the skirt;
the specified rim of the metal shell adjacent to the specified shoulder of the inner surface of the skirt so that the inner surface of the skirt overlaps the outer surface of the specified shell; and an adhesive for bonding metal with metal, located between the specified inner surface of the upper portion and the specified outer surface of the shell, for permanent bonding of the specified metallic upper portion with the specified shell 2. The heat exchange unit according to claim 1, characterized in that it also includes compressed coal particles disposed in said metal shell. 3. The heat exchange unit according to claim 2, further comprising a valve attached to said integral bend to introduce a pressurized medium into said heat exchange unit to adsorb said coal and to desorb said medium to cool a food or drink. 4. The heat exchange unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the metal upper portion is made of die-cast zinc. 5. The heat exchange unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the inner diameter of the skirt is essentially equal to the outer diameter of the metal shell, but is sized to provide the specified skirt with a sliding fit on the specified shell during assembly. 6. The heat exchange unit according to claim 2, characterized in that the pressure medium is carbon dioxide.

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