Abstract:
The present invention generally relates to insulated reusable mugs, bottles, food containers, and beverage containers. The present invention teaches a self-heating, sealed beverage container insulated with a supersaturated solution and an activator actuated by a button mechanism on the beverage container; which, when depressed, triggers an exothermic crystallization process that heats a beverage contained within the beverage container.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    This invention relates to insulated beverage containers, and more particularly relates to improved to insulated reusable self-warming beverage and food containers. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    The present invention teaches improved reusable insulated beverage and food containers, including improved coffee mugs, baby bottles, and trays. Reusable insulated beverage containers are well-known in the art, and have been manufactured under a variety of trade names since the 1800s. 
         [0005]    Traditional coffee mugs rely on insulation built into the cylinder walls of the mug to maintain the heat of a contained beverage usually preheated in an environment external to the mug or container itself. While traditional containers have been reusable and insulted, they have provided no means of heating or reheating the contained beverage, and, like all insulated containers, cannot prevent the beverage from losing heat with time. Advances in the art include a variety of coffee mugs of various designs which provide means of electronically heating the beverage in situ. These advances rely on direct current supplied by an automobile or disposable batteries, or on alternating current supplied by 110 V electrical wall sockets. The electrical components, wires, and weight of these containers have proved cumbersome and inconvenient to users of the containers, as has maintaining close proximity to a power supply, and none of the electrically powered beverage containers have proved to be commercially viable. Furthermore, the use and incorporation of high voltage electrical systems by the containers constitutes a perceived, if not actual, safety threat to users of the containers. 
         [0006]    There exists no commercially viable, non-electrical self-heating reusable containers for heating, or reheating, a beverage, such as coffee, hot chocolate or milk. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    From the foregoing discussion, it should be apparent that a need exists for an insulated reusable self-warming beverage container. Beneficially, such a container would overcome many of the difficulties with prior art by providing a means of self-warming a beverage using non-cumbersome, non-electrical means. 
         [0008]    The present invention has been developed in response to the present state of the art, and in particular, in response to the problems and needs in the art that have not yet been fully solved by currently available devices. Accordingly, the present invention has been developed to provide a reusable self-warming beverage container. The reusable self-warming beverage container comprises a cylindrically-shaped, impermeable inner shell comprising a planar underside, a sidewall, and an open top, with a longitudinal axis extending upwardly from a center of the underside through the open top, and with a lateral axis extending orthogonally from the longitudinal axis and outwardly from the underside, wherein the sidewall is radially disposed around the circumference of the underside and the longitudinal axis, wherein the sidewall and underside define a hollow recess within the inner shell for containing a beverage, the hollow recess accessible through the open top, encircled by the sidewall and underlaid by the underside. 
         [0009]    The reusable self-warming beverage container further comprises a cylindrically-shaped, heat resistant, impermeable outer shell comprising a planar baseplate and an outer sidewall, wherein the outer sidewall and baseplate define a second recess within the outer shell for containing both a supersaturated solution and the inner shell, the outer sidewall radially disposed around the circumference of the baseplate, wherein the second recess is completely interiorly isolated from ambient air, the second recess being defined and encircled exteriorly by the outer sidewall, being interiorly defined by the inner shell, being defined and underlaid by the baseplate, being defined and enclosed upperly by an annular rim. 
         [0010]    The reusable self-warming beverage container further comprises the annular rim, having an outer edge and an inner edge, the outer edge affixed throughout its circumference to the outer sidewall of the outer shell, the inner edge affixed throughout its circumference to the sidewall of the inner shell; as well as a supersaturated solution filling the second recess; and an activator set within the supersaturated solution, which activator causes the supersaturated solution to undergo exothermic crystallization when flexed. 
         [0011]    The reusable self-warming beverage container additionally comprises a handle affixed to the outer shell, the handle comprising a push button which contacts the activator when depressed. 
         [0012]    In some embodiments, the inner shell, outer shell, rim, handle of the reusable self-warming beverage container are heat resistant to temperatures greater than 105 degrees Celsius. 
         [0013]    In other embodiments, the reusable self-warming beverage container comprises a further comprises a push rod disposed between the push button and the activator, which push rod flexes the activator when the push button is depressed. 
         [0014]    The reusable self-warming beverage container may further comprise an annular heat-resistant gasket disposed within an aperature in the outer shell, through which the push rod extends, which gasket prevents seepage of the supersaturated solution outside the outer shell. 
         [0015]    In still further embodiments, the reusable self-warming beverage container further comprises a teat covering the open top and detachably connected to the annular rim, from which a baby can suck a beverage contained in the hollow recess. 
         [0016]    The reusable self-warming beverage container may further comprise a teat covering the open top and detachably connected to the annular rim, from which a baby can suck a beverage contained in the hollow recess. 
         [0017]    In some embodiments, the reusable self-warming beverage container further comprises a thermometer affixed to the outer shell. The activator may comprise a flexible steel disk and an electronically activated boiler. 
         [0018]    These features and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]    In order that the advantages of the invention will be readily understood, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments that are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0020]      FIG. 1A  is an upper isometric perspective view of an insulated reusable self-warming coffee mug in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 1B  is a top perspective view of an insulated reusable self-warming coffee mug in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 2A  is a side perspective view of an insulated reusable self-warming baby bottle in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 2B  is a cross-sectional perspective view of an insulated reusable self-warming baby bottle in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 2C  is a top perspective view of an insulated reusable self-warming baby bottle in accordance with the present invention; and 
           [0025]      FIG. 2D  is a side perspective view of an insulated reusable self-warming beverage container in accordance with the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0026]    Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment. 
         [0027]    Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the invention may be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention. 
         [0028]      FIG. 1A  is an upper isometric perspective view of an insulated reusable self-warming coffee mug  100  in accordance with the present invention. The insulated reusable self-warming coffee mug  100  comprises an outer shell  102 , an inner shell  104 , a supersaturated solution  106 , a rim  108 , an insulated base  110 , a container opening  112 , a handle  114 , a nucleation trigger  116 , a push button  118 , a push rod  120 , a spring  122 , and a gasket  124 . 
         [0029]    The outer shell  102  comprises an elongated, heat-resistant, cylindrically-shaped, water impermeable, container manufactured from any of a variety of materials well-known to those of skill in the art, including metals, alloys, stainless steel, and polymers. The outer shell  102  receives the inner shell  104  and a supersaturated solution  114 , which fills and insulates a volume between the outer shell  102  and the inner shell  104 . 
         [0030]    The outer shell  102  is defined by a sidewall, an insulated base  110 , a rim  108  and an open top. In some embodiments, the outer shell  102  comprises a neck. The sidewall comprises a surrounding edge, which encircles the longitudinal axis of the mug  100  and is in abutmet with the insulated base  110 . The longitudinal axis  100  runs from the center of the insulated base  110  through the center of the top opening (or container opening  112 ). The lateral axis runs laterally from the center of the insulated base  110  to the outer edge of the insulated base  110  where the insulated base  110  meets the sidewall. 
         [0031]    The rim  108  defines an annularity which is the top opening or container opening  112 . Coffee, or other liquids needing to be heated, are received by the mug  100  through the container opening  112 . 
         [0032]    The inner shell  104  comprises an elongated, cylindrically-shaped, water-impermeable, container manufactured from any of a variety of materials well-known to those of skill in the art, including metals, alloys, stainless steel, and polymers. The inner shell  104  is received by the outer shell  102 , and necessarily comprises smaller dimensions than the outer shell  102  such that the inner shell  104  fits within the outer shell  102 . 
         [0033]    The inner shell  104  is defined by a sidewall, a base, and an open top. In some embodiments, the inner shell  104  comprises a neck. The sidewall comprises a surrounding edge, which encircles the longitudinal axis of the mug  100  in abutment with the base. 
         [0034]    The supersaturated solution  106  comprises any solution that contains more dissolved material than could normally be dissolved into the solution at room temperature. In the prime embodiment, the supersaturated solution  106  comprises sodium acetate, which produces heat through exothermic crystallization, which crystallization is initiated by nucleation center(s) created by manually manipulating a rigid device in the supersaturated solution  106  such a metal disk. 
         [0035]    In other embodiments, the supersaturated solution  106  additionally or alternatively comprises other solutions which produce exothermic reactions when exposed to air, including iron, vermiculite, salt, and/or cellulose. 
         [0036]    The mug  100  comprises a handle  114 , which is well-known to those of skill in the art. The handle  114  is affixed to the exterior of the outer shell  102 , and is meant to provide a grip to a human being making use of the mug. The handle  114 , in the preferred embodiment, comprises a heat-resistant material to keep a user&#39;s hand(s) from burning when holding a heated mug  100 . 
         [0037]    The handle  114 , in the shown embodiment, comprises a push button  118  which pushes a push rod  120  against a nucleation trigger  116 . The nucleation trigger  116  comprises a rigid metal or alloy disk which can be flexed to create nucleation centers within the supersaturated solution  106 . 
         [0038]    The shown embodiment includes a spring  122  which resets the push button  118 , and a gasket  124  which forms a liquid-proof seal around the push rod  120 . The gasket  124  is nestled within a hole within the outer shell  102 . In the shown embodiment, the push rod  120  slides through the gasket  124  and pushes against, or activates, the nucleation trigger  116 . In other embodiments, the push rod  120  contacts an elastomeric, or flexible, portion of the outer shell  102 , which is inserted into a hole cut into the outer shell  102 . 
         [0039]    In some embodiments, the push button  118  and its accompanying mechanical components, are affixed directly to the outer shell  102  instead of the handle  114 . 
         [0040]    In some embodiments of the present invention, the push button  118  injects air into the supersaturated solution  106  to produce an exothermic reaction. In some embodiments, the push button  118  forms part of a pump which injects ambient air into the supersaturated solution  106 . In other embodiments, the push button  118  opens a valve and pneumatically injects stored air into the supersaturated solution  106  using means that are well-known to those of skill in the art. 
         [0041]    In the some embodiments, the outer shell  102  comprises a drain plug for draining the supersaturated solution  106  from the mug  100  and/or reintroducing replacement supersaturated solution  106 . 
         [0042]    The inner shell  104  is smaller than the outer shell  102 , in both diameter and height, so as to sit nestled within the outer shell  102  such that its edges are spaced apart from the inside edges of the outer shell  102 . 
         [0043]    In various embodiments of the present invention, the mug  100  may comprise a food holding container, for heating vegetables, meats, and other edibles. In various embodiments of the present invention, the mug  100  may be square instead of cylindrical, or be formed in the shape of any number of other flat-bottomed three-dimensional geometric shapes meant to accommodate food portions. 
         [0044]      FIG. 1B  is a top perspective view of an insulated reusable self-warming coffee mug  150  in accordance with the present invention. The insulated reusable self-warming coffee mug  150  comprises an outer shell  102 , an inner shell  104 , a supersaturated solution  106 , a rim  108 , an insulated base  110 , a handle  114 , and a push button  118 . 
         [0045]    The coffee mug  150  is shown looking straight down the longitudinal axis. The upper surface of the rim  108  is shown. The supersaturated solution  106  is encased within the mug  150 , underneath the rim  108 , above the insulated base  110 , and between the inner shell  104  and the outer shell  102 . 
         [0046]      FIG. 2A  is a side perspective view of an insulated reusable self-warming baby bottle  200  in accordance with the present invention. The insulated reusable self-warming baby bottle  200  comprises a supersaturated solution  106 , a push button  118 , a teat  202 , an outer container  204 , an inner container  206 , a thermometer  210 , and a stopper  202 . 
         [0047]    The bottle  200  comprises the same functional elements as the mugs  100 ,  150 . 
         [0048]    The outer contain  204  is substantially similar to the outer shell  102  and the inner container  102  is substantially similar to the inner shell  104 . The bottle  200  is bottle-shaped, and meant to heat milk, baby-food and other substances for infants and toddlers. 
         [0049]    The teat  202  is well-known to those of skill in the art. 
         [0050]    The bottle  200  comprises a thermometer  210  affixed in or on the outer container  204 , or within the inner container  206 . 
         [0051]      FIG. 2B  is a cross-sectional perspective view of an insulated reusable self-warming baby bottle  220  in accordance with the present invention. The insulated reusable self-warming baby bottle  220  comprises a supersaturated solution  106 , an outer container  204 , an inner container  206 , a baseplate  222 , and a stopper  202 . 
         [0052]    The supersaturated solution  106 , the outer container  204 , and the inner container  206  are substantially described above in relation to  FIG. 2A . 
         [0053]    The baseplate  222 , in the shown embodiment, comprises an alloy or metal plate affixed within, resorbed into, or affixed inside of, or outside of, the inner container  206 . In some embodiments of the present invention, the baseplate  222  comprises electrical means for heating the contents of the bottle  220  and/or the supersaturated solution  106 . By heating the supersaturated solution  106  after an exothermic reaction, the material dissolved into the supersaturated solution  106  becomes reabsorbed, and the heating mechanism and bottle  220  are reset for repeated use. 
         [0054]      FIG. 2C  is a top perspective view of an insulated reusable self-warming baby bottle  240  in accordance with the present invention. The insulated reusable self-warming baby bottle  240  comprises a teat  202 . 
         [0055]    The teat  202  is substantially described above in relation to  FIGS. 2A-2B . 
         [0056]      FIG. 2D  is a side perspective view of an insulated reusable self-warming beverage container  260  in accordance with the present invention. The insulated reusable self-warming baby bottle  260  comprises an outer container  204 , a baseplate  222 , a left lateral clamp  264 , a right lateral clamp  266 , and a boiler  268 . 
         [0057]    The outer container  204 , and the baseplate  222  are substantially described above in relation to  FIGS. 2A-2C . 
         [0058]    In the shown embodiment, the left lateral clamp  264  and the right lateral clamp  266  comprise rigid arms, affixed to the boiler  268 , which clamp onto the bottle  260 . The left lateral clamp  264 , the right lateral clamp  266 , and the boiler  268  collectively comprise a clamp. In various embodiments of the present invention, the clamp comprises a plurality of lateral clamps for attaching the clamp detachably to the bottle  260 . In various embodiments of the present invention, the boiler  268  clamps onto the bottle  260  using any number of means well-known to those of skill in the art, including buckles, snaps, Velcro®, straps, ties, and the like. In some embodiments of the present invention, the bottle  260  slides into the boiler  268 . In other embodiments, the bottle  260  rests within the boiler  268 . In still further embodiments, the bottle  260  lacks the baseplate  222 , which transfers heat to the supersaturated solution  106  in the shown embodiment. 
         [0059]    The boiler  268 , in some embodiments of the present invention, is electronically activated by alternating or direct electrical current supplied by a power source, such as a wall socket, car battery, and the like. In some embodiments, the boiler  268  is powered by a computer USB port. 
         [0060]    The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.