Patent EA-003498-B1 (EA)
Title: Method of manufacturing a container and container having a heat exchange unit
Inventor: CHEN JEFFREY W
IPC: B21D51/38
Filed: 2000-01-10
Abstract: 1. A method of manufacturing a container 10 comprising: a beverage can 12 having a top and a bottom and a heat exchange unit 18, 32) having a valve cup (22), said heat exchange unit being positioned within the beverage can and aged to the bottom thereof comprising the steps of: a. removing a predetermined amount of material centrally from said bottom of said can to provide an opening (72) therethrough; b. forming a flange (28) extending substantially perpendicular with respect to said bottom from material surrounding said opening; and c. permanently affixing said flange to said heat exchange unit and said valve cup. 2. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein said removing step includes providing an anvil and a punch defining cutting edges, positioning said beverage can with said closed bottom centrally disposed on said anvil and bringing said cutting edges into contact with said bottom with sufficient force for removing said material. 3. A method of manufacturing a self cooling beverage container as defined in claim 1, wherein said removing step includes providing an anvil defining a bore having a first diameter, positioning said beverage can with said bottom centrally disposed over said bore and inserting a punch through said bottom and into said bore thereby removing said material. 4. A method as defined in claim 3, wherein said forming step includes providing an anvil defining a bore having a first diameter and a reentrant bore having a second diameter; said second diameter being greater than said first diameter and a tapered region interconnecting; said first and second bores; providing a punch having first and second diameters separated by a tapered section said second diameter of said punch being greater than said first diameter thereof and said second diameter of said punch being less than the diameter of said counter bore of said anvil, positioning said can bottom with said opening therein centrally over said bore in said anvil and inserting said punch into said anvil such that said tapered sections of said punch contact said tapered sections of said bore. 5. A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said affixing step includes sandwiching said flange between said heat exchange unit and said valve cup. 6. A method as defined in claim 5 wherein said affixing step further includes crimping said flange, said heat exchange unit and said valve cup. 7. A method as defined in claim 5 which includes the further step of placing an elastomeric sealing material between said flange and said valve cup and between said flange and said heat exchange unit. 8. A container having a heat exchange unit therein for heating or cooling food or beverage comprising: an outer vessel for containing said food or beverage and having a top and a bottom; said bottom defining an opening therethrough and a flange surrounding said opening and extending away from said bottom; and means for non-removably affixing said heat exchange unit to said flange. 9. A container as defined in claim 8 which further includes a valve cup carrying a valve, and means for non-removably affixing said valve cup to said flange. 10. A container as defined in claim 9 wherein said flange is sandwiched between said valve cup and said heat exchange unit. 11. A container as defined in claim 10 wherein said flange extends inwardly from said bottom into said outer vessel interior. 12. A container as defined in claim 11 which further includes an elastomeric seal between said flange and said heat exchange unit and between said flange and said valve cup. 13. A container as defined in claim 9 wherein said container; said valve cup and said heat exchange unit are constructed of metal and said means for non-removably affixing includes forming those portions of said valve cup and said heat exchange unit in contact with said flange. 14. A container as defined in claim 13 wherein said forming includes crimping. 15. A container as defined in claim 10 wherein said flange extends outwardly from said bottom away from said vessel interior. 16. A container as defined in claim 15 wherein said flange extends outwardly from said bottom away from said vessel interior.