Apparatus for thermal conditioning a product

An apparatus for providing a thermal treatment to a product, such as food, is described. One embodiment of the apparatus includes lime and water contained separately within a sealed reaction vessel. The reaction vessel includes a flexible wall portion that is adjacent to a perforator that can puncture a membrane separating the lime and water. In one embodiment, the perforator is separate from and fee-floating within the water. In another embodiment, the reaction vessel is substantially surrounded by the product. The reaction vessel is hermetically sealed against underpressure or overpressure, permitting use with pressurized food. The reaction vessel can be incorporated into a variety of containers and the reaction vessel and container can be sterilized for packaging food.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to a self-contained food packaging system, and more particularly an apparatus for heating or cooling, or a container for packaging food including such an apparatus.

Discussion of the Background

There is a long-standing need for food package systems that can heat or cool the food. Prior art attempts at such systems typically include a chemically reacting mixture in a separate container that is stored within the package.

While various configurations of chemical systems and container shapes have been proposed, they all suffer from practical problems that have prevented their widespread acceptance. Examples of problems with various prior art configurations include: escape of hot chemicals from the reaction chamber, inefficient heating, devices to activate the chemical reactions that are difficult to use, difficulty in sterilizing the container for use with food, and difficulty in mating the portion having the chemical reacting mixture with a food container.

Thus there is a need in the art for an apparatus that permits for the easy operation of a heating or cooling device packages with a food container. Such an apparatus should be easy to sterilize and incorporate into a food package, should be able to be packaged with pressurized food, and should be safe to handle.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of prior art by providing a self-contained reaction vessel that, depending on the chemical reactants contained therein, heat or cool a food product in contact with the vessel.

In one embodiment, a reaction vessel is provided, where the reaction vessel includes a sealed container having a reactant and a perforator, where the perforator can be moved by manipulating the reaction vessel to puncture the sealed container.

In another embodiment, a container and a reaction vessel is provided, where the reaction vessel is situated substantially within the food, where the reaction vessel includes a sealed container having a reactant, and a perforator that can pierce the sealed container.

In yet another embodiment, a container and a reaction vessel is provided, where the reaction vessel is sealed and is situated substantially within the food, where the reaction vessel generates heat by mixing reactants including water and lime.

In one embodiment, a reaction vessel for a container is provided that is hermetically sealed against overpressure and underpressure.

In another embodiment, a container having a reaction vessel for thermally treating food within the container is provided that permits food to be store using aseptic or hermetically treated methods. The container may be used to store, for example and without limitation, coffee, hot chocolate, soups with or without morsels.

In yet another embodiment, a reaction vessel for thermally treating food is provided that is a self-contained vessel that can be later provided to food packers for incorporation into a container and provided with food.

These features together with the various ancillary provisions and features which will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, are attained by the reaction vessel for thermally treating food, and container including the same, of the present invention, preferred embodiments thereof being shown with reference to the accompanying drawings, by way of example only, wherein:

Reference symbols are used in the Figures to indicate certain components, aspects or features shown therein, with reference symbols common to more than one Figure indicating like components, aspects or features shown therein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1is a perspective view of one embodiment of a container100for thermally conditioning, that is heating or cooling, a product. The product may be, for example and without limitation, an edible product such as a food, a soup, or a drink, such as a baby formula or tea. The product may also be product that is not edible, such a wax to be used as a hot wax in a cosmetic treatment.

In the embodiment ofFIG. 1, container100includes a removable lid101and an outer body103. Outer body103is shown as being generally cylindrical, but may, in alternative embodiments, have the shape of a bowl, cup, or tub or other shape as is convenient for utilizing the thermally conditioned product, outer body103is transparent, translucent, or opaque, or includes printing or labels on all or part of its surface.

FIG. 2Ais a sectional view andFIG. 2Bis a perspective sectional view of one embodiment of a container100, which may be generally similar to the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 1, except as further detailed below. Where possible, similar elements are identified with identical reference numerals in the depiction of the embodiments ofFIGS. 1 and 2.

Container100includes a reaction vessel210comprising a reaction vessel body211and a reaction vessel bottom213, and outer body103which includes a side201that extends from an opening203to a bottom205. In the embodiment ofFIGS. 2A and 2B, bottom205further includes a portion207that is adjacent to reaction vessel bottom213.

Reaction vessel210is generally interior to outer body103and forms a hermetic seal with the outer bottom at a location209which is near side201and/or bottom205. The seal at location209can be formed in a number of ways including, but not limited to, a press fit, an adhesive or other joining technique, or thermoforming outer body103to a protruding feature on reaction vessel210.

Volume202includes the interior of outer body103including side201from opening203to sealing location209, not including the volume occupied by reaction vessel210. In one embodiment, some or all of volume202includes a product P. Locating reaction vessel210wholly or substantially within outer body103is advantageous, as this allows for efficient heating or cooling of the product contained therein with a minimal amount of heat transfer between the reaction vessel and the container exterior.

For container100that heats product P it is desirable that the product not occupy all volume202to accommodate any expansion of the product resulting from heating. It is preferred that internal surface204of side201and external surface212of reaction vessel body211is compatible with the edible product—that is, it will not contaminate or be corroded or dissolved by the edible product or any other material occupying volume202. Further, it is preferred, but not required that outer surface212and/or the inner surface204can be sterilized for use with edible products packaged therein.

Outer body103may be formed from a variety of materials selected for their ability to maintain shape, resist moisture or gas permeation, and ability to be sanitized for filling with a food product. Materials selection is well known in the art and may include, but is not limited to, an injection molded polypropylene, a thermoformed polypropylene, or a thermoformed polypropylene/EVOH/polypropylene. The material and thickness may BE chosen for its ability to maintain shape and resist gas permeation. Methods of sanitizing, when required, include, but are not limited to, heating or treating with ozone or other chemicals.

FIG. 3is a detailed view of one embodiment of a reaction vessel210, which may be generally similar to the embodiments illustrated inFIGS. 2A and 2B, except as further detailed below. Where possible, similar elements are identified with identical reference numerals in the depiction of the embodiments ofFIGS. 1, 2A, 2B, and 3.

In general, reaction vessel210provides thermal conditioning of a product within volume202. It is preferred, though not necessary, that reaction vessel210be structurally secure to contain the reacts and products within the vessel. Reaction vessel210contains the components to produce the necessary chemical reactions to create or absorb heat from product P. In one embodiment, reaction vessel body211is a metal can formed from aluminum, tin, or stainless steel, and reaction vessel bottom213is a metal piece that is formed with to be flexible when joined to the reaction vessel body. Optionally, varnished aluminum may be used to resist chemical activity with specific products. Reaction vessel body211and reaction vessel body213are thus, in one embodiment, metal pieces that are sealed along joint303. Joint303may be a weld, crimped, or adhesive joint. The outer portion of reaction vessel210is preferably, thought not necessarily, formed from metal to ensures safe operation, by containing any reactants and reaction products within the reaction vessel, and efficient heat transfer with product P. Metal surfaces are also easily treated to be aseptic when required.

In one embodiment, reaction vessel210is formed of materials with sufficient strength to fully contain heated reactants and products, both during storage of the reactants and during and after reactions are completed. In another embodiment, reaction vessel210is sufficiently strong to maintain its shape when packaged in a pressurized container, such as when product P is pressurized. In yet another embodiment, reaction vessel body211and reaction vessel bottom213are formed from metal sheet having a thickness of approximately 0.2 mm to 0.8 mm. Thus for example, reaction vessel body211may be formed by stamping and reaction vessel bottom213is formed by stamping and rolling.

Reaction vessel bottom213has a central portion325which may move axially towards first compartment310. Central portion325is adjacent to portion207of outer body103so that an inward movement of portion207will affect the volume of reaction vessel210. This motion may be used to activate thermal conditioning, as described subsequently.

To provide thermal conditioning, reaction vessel210may, for example and without limitation, include two or more reactants separated during storage. As shown inFIG. 3, reaction vessel body211includes a top planar portion311, a top cylindrical portion313, a flange321, and a bottom cylindrical portion323. Reaction vessel210also includes a membrane301and a perforator330. Membrane301is attached to flange321, defining a first compartment310, having a volume V1, that is bound by top planar portion311, top cylindrical portion313, and the membrane, and a second compartment320, having a volume V2that is bound by the membrane, bottom cylindrical portion323and reaction vessel bottom213.

In one embodiment membrane301is aluminum coated or laminated with polyethylene or polypropylene, and is jointed to flange321with an adhesive or by heat or cold seal.

FIG. 4is a sectional view2-2showing detail of one embodiment of perforator330, andFIG. 5is a top view of the perforator, which may be generally similar to the embodiments illustrated inFIGS. 2A, 2B, and 3except as further detailed below. Where possible, similar elements are identified with identical reference numerals in the depiction of the embodiments ofFIGS. 1, 2A, 2B, 3, 4 and 5.

Perforator330is contained within second compartment320. In one embodiment, perforator330formed from a plastic such as polypropylene and is loosely placed within second compartment320. Perforator330is adapted to move axially along reaction vessel210and pierce membrane310. Perforator330includes a base401having a plurality of holes403, and has a central protrusion405on one side of the base and guide members407and piercing elements409on the other side of the base.

In one embodiment, guide members407include one or more portions that extend part or all the way around the circumference of perforator330. The purpose of guide members407is to prevent perforator330from canting while moving towards membrane301. In general, piecing elements409include one or more elements that extend toward membrane301. The purpose of piercing elements409is to provide a force to puncture membrane301. The plurality of holes403provide a way for the contents of second compartment320to move to accommodate the motion of perforator330, and for the contents of first compartment310and second compartment320to mix and react once the membrane is punctured.

In general, perforator330is placed within second compartment320with central protrusion405adjacent portion325, guiding members407adjacent bottom cylindrical portion323, and piercing elements409adjacent membrane310. To prevent accidental perforation of membrane301it is preferred that there be at least several millimeters of space between the piercing elements409and membrane301or between central protrusion405and portion325.

In one embodiment, volume V1of first compartment310is filled with a first reactant R1and volume V2of second compartment320is filled with a second reactant R2. As one example, which is not meant to limit the scope of the present invention, reactant R1is quicklime (also know as burnt lime or lime) lime and reactant R2is water. Quicklime consists primarily of calcium oxide (CaO) and it reacts with water to forming a hydrate and release heat via:
CaO+H2OCa(OH)2+(1150 kj/kg of CaO)

In some embodiments, it is preferred that only a portion of one or more of volume V1or V2is filled. This is particularly true when the reaction in an enclosed volume generates substantial pressure by heating the reactants and/or products, or by increasing the volume of a liquid or solid within the reaction vessel210. In one embodiment, 200 ml of a liquid food is heated from 20° C. to 60° C. with reaction vessel210having V1of 170 ml provided with 100 g of CaO granulated, and V2of 138 ml provided with 100 ml of water. This provides approximately 30% of free space in the unreacted reactant volume for expansion of the reactants and products in reaction vessel210.

In other embodiments, reactants R1and R2may include a wide variety of compounds that are primarily select for their ability to produce or absorb heat without a large change in volume. Many such reactants are known in the field. The following combinations: calcium chloride and water are another set of reactants that are useful in generating heat. When one or more reactant R1or R2is a solid it is preferred, though not necessary for the solid to be granular to facilitate mixing and reactions.

Reaction vessel210may be prepared by placing reaction vessel body310with top planar portion311downwards, filling volume V1with lime, sealing membrane301against flange321, placing perforator330in second volume V1with piercing elements409against the membrane, filling volume V2with water, sealing reactor vessel bottom213onto the reaction vessel body. Reaction vessel210then may be joined to outer body103, volume202may be filled with product P, and removable lid101may be sealed to opening203.

In one embodiment, product P is pressurized when filling volume202(as would be the case for a carbonated beverage), and removable lid101is sufficiently strong to contain the pressure of the food.

In another embodiment, product P and container100are sterilized separately, and the product is then sealed in the container. In yet another embodiment, container100is filled with product P and sealed, and then sterilized. Thus, for example, the container100having product P sealed within is sterilized by heating the container.

FIGS. 6A-6Dare sequential sectional view of an embodiment of container100in use, whereFIG. 6Ais prior to use,FIG. 6Bis during activation;FIG. 6Cis during heating of the product; andFIG. 6Dis just prior to consumption of the product. Container100ofFIGS. 6A-6Dmay be generally similar to the embodiments illustrated inFIGS. 1, 2A, 2B, 3, 4 and 5except as further detailed below. Where possible, similar elements are identified with identical reference numerals in the depiction of the embodiments ofFIGS. 1, 2A, 2B, 3, 4 and 5.

FIG. 6Ashows container100in an upright and stored condition.FIG. 6Bshows container100next turned upside down, with a force applied to portion207. As described above, the force of portion207causes portion325to move inwards, resulting in perforator330to translate within second compartment320and cause piercing elements409to puncture membrane301. With container100in this configuration, water within what was second compartment320drains into what was first compartment310and mix and react with the lime therein. Holes403permit perforator330to move through the water with reduced resistance and permit the water to easily mix with the lime. As the reaction proceeds, heat Q evolves from reaction vessel210and heats product P.

FIG. 6Cshows container100righted for continued heating of product P, andFIG. 6Dshows lid101removed so that the product may be consumed.

Thus, while there has been described what is believed to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the invention.