Thermal receptacle with phase change material containing insert

Abstract

A thermal receptacle having a side wall which has an inner surface and a spaced outer surface. An interstitial chamber may be defined by the space between the inner and outer surfaces. A phase change material containing insert is provided into the receptacle. The insert contains a phase change material or a plurality of different phase change materials. Phase change material may also be located within the interstitial chamber. The phase change material regeneratively absorbs thermal energy from a hot liquid in the receptacle thereby rapidly lowering the temperature of the liquid and then the material releases the thermal energy back to the liquid to maintain the temperature of the liquid.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61 / 583,888, filed Jan. 6, 2012, and incorporated herein by reference.TECHNICAL FIELD[0002]The subject invention relates generally to liquid receptacles or containers and more specifically to a receptacle having a phase change material insert and which rapidly cools a hot liquid (or heats a cold liquid) to a desired range and then maintains the fluid in the desired range for an extended period.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]There have been many attempts in the past to maintain liquids and solids within certain temperature ranges. Hot beverages are usually prepared and served at temperatures well above the desired temperature range of consumption. Typically, the consumer must wait some time before the beverage to sufficiently cool before drinking it. Some impatient consumers will attempt to drink the beverage too soon resulting in burns to the mouth. Similarly, if the drink is spil...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention is a reusable beverage container that can rapidly cool down a hot liquid, such as coffee, to a safe temperature and then maintain it at that temperature for an extended period of time without needing external energy or manipulation by the user. The container uses a phase change material that absorbs and releases thermal energy from the liquid to achieve this cooling and maintenance. The invention has a wide range of applications, including use in desk-based industries and in portable settings. Overall, the invention provides a better experience for hot beverage consumption by allowing them to cool quickly and maintain a safe temperature.

Problems solved by technology

Some impatient consumers will attempt to drink the beverage too soon resulting in burns to the mouth.

Similarly, if the drink is spilled before it has had sufficient time to cool, burns to the skin may result.

This approach rapidly cools the beverage but dilutes the hot beverage.

This is frequently undesirable.

This approach is often inconvenient and imprecise; if the person adds too little or too much, the temperature of the hot beverage will be higher or lower than desired and may require further attention.

Finally, this approach does not provide any assistance in maintaining the temperature of the hot beverage in the acceptable drinking temperature range.

Once the beverage reaches an acceptable temperature, it will continue to lose thermal energy to its surroundings.

This results in the beverage becoming cool too quickly.

This approach suffers from some of the same limitations as adding cool liquid or ice.

If the cup is too cool or too warm or has too much or too little thermal mass, the beverage will stabilize at the wrong temperature.

Also, while a heavy container will slow the rate of cooling somewhat due to the increase in the total thermal mass of the system, the effect will be small and the beverage will only remain in the ideal drinking range for a short period.

These approaches slow the cooling rate of the beverage.

However, the ability of the insulated mugs currently on the market to maintain beverage temperatures is relatively limited.

Stainless, vacuum insulated mugs are excellent at maintaining temperature, but no product currently exists which can passively cool a hot beverage quickly.

Insulation does not provide a way to add thermal energy back to the beverage.

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