Actuating self-cooling tank

Abstract

A self-cooling container for cooling a liquid includes a first portion having a first frangible seal extending across and sealing an evaporator unit containing a refrigerant, and a second portion having a second frangible seal extending across and sealing the evaporator unit containing the refrigerant. A second frangible seal extends across the desiccant chamber containing the desiccant and seals the desiccant chamber. The first portion rotates axially relative to the second portion. The actuator assembly is located between the first portion and the second portion and includes: a cutter assembly coupled to the first portion of the self-cooling container and including a cutter coupled to the rotatable shaft and a pinion coupled to the rotatable shaft; and a drive gear assembly coupled to the second portion of the self-cooling vessel and including a ring gear supported by the housing. A pinion on the cutter assembly cooperates with a ring gear of the drive gear assembly.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 311,126, filed on February 17, 2022, entitled “Actuation Method for Self-Cooling Beverage Cans”. The disclosure of the prior application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] The present application relates to self-cooling tanks and, more particularly, to systems and methods for actuating a self-cooling tank. Background Art

[0004] There are self-cooling tanks. One example is the ICCan from the applicant of this application, Tempura Technologies Inc. TM Self-cooling beverage can. ICCan self-cooling beverage can is a beverage can that contains beverages and has a built-in, self-contained cooler that is safe, completely practical, environmentally friendly, and operates according to the principle of evaporative cooling. When activated, the beverage contained in the beverage can is quickly cooled (e.g., about 30 degrees Fahrenheit or more degrees are dropped in about 3 minutes or less). This eliminates the need for refrigeration of ice or beverages, and enables consumers to enjoy cold drinks no matter when and where they wish to go. In addition, when the beverage is consumed, the system continues to cool without dilution, thereby ensuring that the last drop is as cold as the first drop or colder than the first drop.

[0005] Improvements are desirable, particularly related to activating the self-cooling function of a self-cooling tank. Summary of the invention

[0006] In one aspect, a self-cooling container for cooling a liquid comprises a first portion and a second portion, the first portion comprising: a) an internal compartment containing a liquid to be cooled; b) an internal evaporator unit containing a refrigerant; and c) a first frangible seal extending across the evaporator unit and sealing the evaporator unit, and the second portion comprising: a) an internal desiccant chamber containing a desiccant; and b) a second frangible seal extending across the desiccant chamber and sealing the desiccant chamber. The first portion is configured to rotate relative to the second portion about an axis of the self-cooling container. An actuator assembly is located between the first and second portions of the self-cooling container. The actuator assembly comprises a cutter assembly and a drive gear assembly, the cutter assembly being coupled to the first portion of the self-cooling container, and the drive gear assembly being coupled to the second portion of the self-cooling container. The cutter assembly comprises: a cutter support; a rotatable shaft, the rotatable shaft being coupled to the cutter support; a cutter, the cutter being coupled to the rotatable shaft; and a pinion, the pinion being coupled to the rotatable shaft. The driving gear assembly includes a housing and a ring gear supported by the housing. The pinion gear on the cutter assembly cooperates with the ring gear of the driving gear assembly.

[0007] On the other hand, a self-cooling container for cooling a liquid includes a first portion having a first frangible seal extending across an evaporator unit containing a refrigerant and sealing the evaporator unit, and a second portion having a second frangible seal extending across a desiccant chamber containing a desiccant and sealing the desiccant chamber. The first portion rotates axially relative to the second portion. An actuator assembly is located between the first portion and the second portion and includes: a cutter assembly, the cutter assembly is coupled to the first portion of the self-cooling container and includes a cutter coupled to a rotatable shaft and a pinion coupled to the rotatable shaft; and a drive gear assembly, the drive gear assembly is coupled to the second portion of the self-cooling container and includes a ring gear supported by a housing. The pinion on the cutter assembly cooperates with the ring gear of the drive gear assembly.

[0008] In yet another aspect, a method of manufacturing a self-cooling container for cooling a liquid is disclosed. The method includes providing a first portion of the self-cooling container. The first portion includes an internal compartment that contains a liquid to be cooled; an internal evaporator unit that contains a refrigerant; and a first frangible seal that extends across the evaporator unit and seals the evaporator unit. The method also includes providing a second portion of the self-cooling container. The second portion includes an internal desiccant chamber that contains a desiccant; and a second frangible seal that extends across the desiccant chamber and seals the desiccant chamber. The method also includes providing a cutter assembly for the self-cooling container. The cutter assembly includes a cutter support and a rotatable assembly coupled to the cutter support. The rotatable assembly includes a rotatable shaft; a cutter that is coupled to the rotatable shaft; and a pinion that is coupled to the rotatable shaft. The method also includes providing a drive gear assembly for the self-cooling container. The drive gear assembly includes a housing and a ring gear supported by the housing. The method also includes: attaching a cutter support of the cutter assembly to a first portion of the self-cooling container (e.g., using friction and / or adhesive); attaching a housing of a drive gear assembly to a second portion of the self-cooling container (e.g., using friction and / or adhesive). The method also includes: placing the first portion of the self-cooling container with the attached cutter support in a vacuum chamber; placing the second portion of the self-cooling container with the attached drive gear assembly in a vacuum chamber; establishing a vacuum environment in the vacuum chamber; and within the vacuum environment, pressing the first portion of the self-cooling container with the attached cutter support against the second portion of the self-cooling container with the attached drive gear assembly so that the pinion of the cutter assembly engages with the ring gear of the drive gear assembly, wherein an O-ring is present between the first portion of the self-cooling container with the attached cutter support and the second portion of the self-cooling container with the attached drive gear assembly. The method also includes: removing the first portion of the self-cooling container with the attached cutter support and the second portion of the self-cooling container with the attached drive gear assembly from the vacuum environment, wherein the O-ring exists between the first portion of the self-cooling container with the attached cutter support and the second portion of the self-cooling container with the attached drive gear assembly. In a typical implementation, after removing the first portion of the self-cooling container with the attached cutter support and the second portion of the self-cooling container with the attached drive gear assembly from the vacuum environment, the first portion of the self-cooling container with the attached cutter support remains connected to the second portion of the self-cooling container with the attached drive gear assembly by virtue of the low pressure environment present in the internal space between the first portion of the self-cooling container and the second portion of the self-cooling container after removal from the vacuum environment.

[0009] In some implementations, one or more of the following advantages are present.

[0010] For example, the systems and techniques disclosed herein can improve the actuation of a self-cooling tank. Some of these improvements can occur in the form of increased reliability and effectiveness. In addition, the systems and techniques disclosed herein can improve the manufacturability of a self-cooling tank and / or an actuation system for a self-cooling tank. This can reduce costs, be more efficient, and improve commercial feasibility and the scalability of a self-cooling tank.

[0011] Additionally, some implementations of the systems and techniques disclosed herein protect frangible seals (eg, foils) in self-cooling tanks from undesirable damage during assembly, storage, and handling (eg, prior to activating the self-cooling tank).

[0012] Other features and advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 is an exploded side view of an implementation of a self-cooling beverage can, with certain portions of the self-cooling beverage can shown in cross-section.

[0014] Figure 2 is a partial perspective exploded side view showing an implementation of an actuator assembly positioned between an upper portion and a lower portion of a self-cooling beverage can.

[0015] Figure 3 It is assembled Figure 2 A partial cross-sectional side view of an implementation of a self-cooling beverage can.

[0016] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 Another partial cross-sectional side view of a self-cooling beverage container.

[0017] Figure 5 is a partial schematic side cross-sectional view of an exemplary self-cooling beverage can.

[0018] Figure 6 is a perspective view of an implementation of a rigid annular body for a cutter assembly.

[0019] FIG. 7A to FIG. 7C is a view of an implementation of the rotatable portion of the cutter assembly.

[0020] Figure 8 is a top perspective view of an implementation of the lower portion 104 of the self-cooling tank.

[0021] Fig. 9 is an external perspective view of an implementation of a self-cooling beverage can.

[0022] Like reference numerals refer to like elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] Fig. 9 is an external perspective view of an implementation of a self-cooling beverage can 100 .

[0024] The self-cooling beverage can 100 shown has an upper part 102 and a lower part 104, which are bounded from each other by a circumferential groove 103. The upper part 102 has an internal beverage compartment containing a beverage (e.g., beer, soda, etc.) and an internal evaporator unit containing a refrigerant (e.g., hydrogel), and when the self-cooling function of the beverage can is activated, the refrigerant evaporates to cool the beverage. The lower part 102 has an internal desiccant chamber to absorb moisture from the evaporated refrigerant, and has an internal heat sink to absorb heat from the desiccant. The self-cooling function of the beverage can 100 can be activated by the user twisting the upper part 102 of the self-cooling beverage can 100 and the lower part 104 of the self-cooling beverage can 100 in opposite directions (e.g., as reflected by the curved arrows in the figure).

[0025] When the user twists the upper portion 102 of the self-cooling beverage can 100 and the lower portion 104 of the self-cooling beverage can 100 in opposite directions, the activator assembly (at the top of the self-cooling beverage can 100) disposed between the upper portion 102 and the lower portion 104 of the self-cooling beverage can 100 is turned. Fig. 9 Not visible in , but in Figure 1 See 106) in response to the twisting and actuating the self-cooling function of the tank 100.

[0026] Figure 1 is a schematic exploded side view of an implementation of a self-cooling beverage can 100, wherein certain portions of the self-cooling beverage can 100 are shown in cross-section.

[0027] The self-cooling beverage can 100 is shown having an upper portion 102, a lower portion 104, and an actuator assembly 106. The actuator assembly 106 is located between the upper portion 102 and the lower portion 106 of the self-cooling beverage can 100 when assembled.

[0028] The upper portion 102 of the self-cooling beverage can 100 has an outer container 108 and an evaporator unit 110 with a beverage compartment 112 therebetween. A first frangible seal extends across an opening at the bottom of the upper portion 102 of the self-cooling beverage can 100 to seal the evaporator unit 110.

[0029] The outer container 108 of the upper part 102 of the self-cooling beverage can 100 has a tank body 114 and a tank cover 116. The tank body 114 can be made of a single aluminum sheet or steel sheet, and a single aluminum sheet or steel sheet is for example processed into the shape represented in the illustrated implementation, and the tank body 114 includes a cylindrical side, a neck at the top of the cylindrical side, and a base at the bottom of the cylindrical side. The tank cover 116 can be made of aluminum alloy, and is attached to the tank body 114 using a flange connector 118. The tank cover 116 generally has an opening mechanism (for example, ejecting tabs, keeping tabs, etc.), which allows the user to open the outer container 108 and obtain the beverage in the beverage compartment 112. The beverage in the beverage compartment 112 can actually be any kind of drinkable liquid, including for example carbonated soft drinks, alcoholic beverages, fruit juices, teas, energy drinks, etc.

[0030] In the illustrated implementation, the evaporator unit 124 includes an evaporator housing 126 that defines an evaporator compartment 128 having an inner surface (e.g., 130). More specifically, in the illustrated implementation, the evaporator compartment 128 has a bottom section 128a and an annular section 128b. The bottom section 128a of the evaporator compartment 128 forms a hollow, short cylindrical chamber at the bottom of the beverage compartment 112. The annular section 128b of the evaporator compartment 128 forms a hollow annular chamber that extends upward from the outer edge of the cylindrical bottom section 128a of the evaporator compartment 128 around the entire circumference of the cylindrical bottom section 128a. The annular section 128b extends in an upward direction with a considerable length of the total height of the interior of the outer container 108 (e.g., at least 60%, at least 70%, or at least 80% of the total height of the interior of the outer container 108). As shown, the beverage in the beverage compartment 112 is in direct physical contact with (and, therefore, in direct thermal contact with) the outer surface of the evaporator unit 110. Thus, when a cooling effect is activated in the self-cooling beverage container 100, heat is drawn from the beverage in the beverage compartment 112 and into the refrigerant contained in the evaporator unit 110, thereby cooling the beverage. As shown, the interior of the annular section 128b of the evaporator chamber 128 opens to (and, therefore, is in free fluid communication with) the interior of the cylindrical bottom section 128a of the evaporator compartment 128.

[0031] The evaporator compartment 128 contains a refrigerant. The refrigerant may be, for example, in the form of a hydrogel, typically applied to the inner surface 130 of the evaporator container 128. The hydrogel is typically a safe, non-toxic, gel-like (or semi-solid) substance that has a large amount of water (e.g., greater than 80%, 85%, 90%, or 95%). The hydrogel may be in a spherical form and may include a super absorbent polymer (SAP, also known as a dry slush powder, such as polyacrylamide) that absorbs water. In a typical implementation, the inner surface 130 of the evaporator compartment 128 is coated with the hydrogel over the entire evaporator housing 126. More specifically, in a typical implementation, the hydrogel covers a majority of the inner surface 130 of the evaporator compartment 128 (e.g., greater than 80%, 85%, 90%, or 95%) before activation.

[0032] The base 120 of the outer container 108 is shaped to define a downwardly facing annular protrusion 122 at or near the circumferential outer edge of the base 120. The base 120 is also shaped to define an opening 124 that extends through the base 120 and into the evaporator compartment 128. The opening 124 can be circular and generally centrally disposed in the base 120 of the outer container 108. The size of the opening 124 can vary. However, in various implementations, the size of the opening can be at least 30% (or at least 40%, or at least 50%, or at least 60%, or at least 70%, or at least 80%, or at least 90%) of the area defined by the circular bottom tip of the downwardly facing annular protrusion 122.

[0033] In the illustrated implementation, the opening 124 in the base 120 of the upper portion 102 is covered by a first frangible seal 132, which extends across the opening 124, covers the opening 124, and thereby prevents fluid from flowing through the opening 124. When the first frangible seal 132 is intact, the first frangible seal 132 prevents fluid from flowing into or out of the evaporator compartment 128 through the opening 124. In some implementations, the first frangible seal 132 is a foil (e.g., a thin sheet of material, such as a thin sheet of metal, etc.), and is attached to the inner or outer surface of the base 120 of the outer container 108. In various implementations, the foil can be attached to the surface of the base using an adhesive material or by any other type of attachment method. The foil is configured to rupture (e.g., tear, rip, be detached, etc.) in response to a compressive force and / or tearing force applied to or to the foil. Once the foil is ruptured, fluid flows freely through the opening 124 between the evaporator compartment 128 and the space outside of the evaporator compartment 128 .

[0034] In the illustrated implementation, the bottom section 128a of the evaporator compartment 128 extends all the way to the first frangible seal 132, such that when the first frangible seal 132 is intact, the first frangible seal 132 substantially closes and seals the evaporator compartment 128, but when the first frangible seal 132 is damaged, fluid freely flows into or out of the evaporator compartment 128 through the opening 124, as determined by the relative pressures.

[0035] The lower part 104 of the self-cooling beverage can 100 is used as a condenser unit 134 for the self-cooling beverage can 100. The condenser unit 134 shown has an outer shell 136 and an inner shell 138. The outer shell 136 has a surface that defines a cylindrical side, a shaped top and a substantially flat bottom. The outer diameter of the cylindrical side of the outer shell 136 matches the outer diameter of the outer container 108 of the upper part 102 of the self-cooling beverage can 100. The inner shell 138 (or "absorber") defines an internal desiccant chamber 141, which includes an upper chamber portion 142 and a plurality of finger chambers 144, each of which extends from the upper chamber 142 in a downward direction. In a typical implementation, each finger chamber 144 has a length equal to a considerable portion (e.g., at least 60%, at least 70%, or at least 80%) of the total height of the interior of the inner shell 138.

[0036] The internal desiccant chamber 141 contains a desiccant. In a typical implementation, the desiccant is a substance that can absorb water from its environment (e.g., an evaporating hydrogel). In some implementations, the desiccant is in solid form. An example of a desiccant is silica gel, which is an inert, non-toxic, water-insoluble, white solid substance.

[0037] The inner shell 138 is mostly contained within the outer shell 136, with only a small tubular extension 140 of the inner shell 138 extending to the upper surface of the outer shell 136. The inner shell 138 and the outer shell 136 together define a heat sink chamber 146 therebetween. The heat sink chamber 146 contains a heat sink material, which in some instances can undergo a phase change (e.g., undergo a phase change by melting) when the heat sink material is exposed to a heat source and heat is drawn away from the heat source. For example, the heat sink material can melt when the heat sink material is exposed to heat in the desiccant chamber and the heat is drawn away from the desiccant chamber. Acetate is an example of a heat sink material. As shown, the heat sink material is in direct physical contact with the outer surface of the desiccant chamber 141 (and therefore, in direct thermal contact with the outer surface of the desiccant chamber 141). Thus, when the desiccant in the desiccant chamber 141 becomes hot, the heat can easily escape from the desiccant through the walls of the heat sink chamber 146 and into the heat sink material contained in the heat sink chamber 146 .

[0038] There is an opening 148 at the top of the tubular extension 140 of the inner shell 138. The opening 148 can be circular in shape and centered on the circular top of the tubular extension 140. In the illustrated implementation, the opening 148 opens into the desiccant chamber 141. In a typical implementation, the opening 148 can have the same size or approximately the same size as the opening in the base 120 of the upper part 102. In addition, when assembling (e.g., when the lower part 104 of the self-cooling beverage can 100 is connected to the upper part 102 of the self-cooling beverage can 100), the opening 148 at the top of the tubular extension 140 is aligned with the opening 124 in the base 120 of the upper part 102 of the self-cooling beverage can 100.

[0039] The second frangible seal 150 extends across the opening 148 at the top of the tubular extension 140 to seal the desiccant chamber 141. Therefore, when the second frangible seal 150 is intact, the second frangible seal 150 prevents fluid from flowing into or out of the desiccant chamber 141 through the opening 148. In a typical implementation, the second frangible seal 150 is similar in structure to the first frangible seal 150. For example, in some implementations, the second frangible seal is a foil (e.g., a thin sheet of material, such as a thin sheet of metal, etc.). In addition, the second frangible seal is generally attached to the inner or outer surface of the top of the tubular extension 140. In various implementations, the foil can be attached to the surface of the tubular extension 140 using an adhesive material or by any other type of attachment method. The foil is configured to break (e.g., tear, rip, be detached, etc.) in response to a pressing force and / or tearing force applied to or to the foil. Once the foil is ruptured, fluid flows freely through the opening 148 between the desiccant chamber 141 and the space outside of the desiccant chamber 141 .

[0040] In the illustrated implementation, the top of the upper chamber 142 of the condenser unit 134 extends all the way to the second frangible seal 150, so that when the second frangible seal 150 is intact, the second frangible seal 150 substantially closes and seals the desiccant chamber 141, but when the second frangible seal 150 is damaged, fluid freely flows into or out of the desiccant chamber 141 through the opening 148, as determined by the relative pressure.

[0041] The upper outer surface of the lower portion 104 of the self-cooling beverage can 100 is shaped to define an annular groove that can receive and mate with a corresponding annular extension formed in the component directly above the annular groove.

[0042] The actuator assembly 106 is located between the upper portion 102 and the lower portion 104 of the illustrated self-cooling tank 100. The illustrated actuator assembly 106 includes a cutter assembly 152, a drive gear assembly 154, and an O-ring 156, which are arranged at the bottom of the cutter assembly 152 and the drive gear assembly 154. Figure 1 1 and 2. In each of the figures, a side view (rather than a cross-sectional view) is shown, and the actuator assembly 106 is operable to actuate the cooling function in the self-cooling beverage can 100.

[0043] Figure 2 1 is a partial perspective exploded side view showing an implementation of an actuator assembly 106a positioned between an upper portion 102a and a lower portion 104a of a self-cooling beverage can 100a. Figure 1 As shown in FIG. 1 , the actuator assembly 106a includes a cutter assembly 152a, a drive gear assembly 154a, and an O-ring 156a, and the actuator assembly 106a is operable to actuate a cooling function in the self-cooling beverage can 100a.

[0044] The cutter assembly 152a has a cutter support (in the illustrated implementation, the cutter support is a rigid annular body 201 to which a pair of shaft support surfaces 203 are attached or integral with the rigid annular body 201). The shaft support surfaces 203 may be shaft sockets and / or bearings located at diametrically opposite sides of a circular central opening defined by the rigid annular body 201. The shaft 205 supported by the shaft support surfaces 203 extends across the central opening of the rigid annular body 201 in diameter, substantially bisecting the central opening. The pinion 109 is mounted on the shaft 205 and is configured to rotate with the shaft 205 around the longitudinal axis of the shaft 205. In addition, the cutter 211 is mounted on the shaft 266 and is also configured to rotate with the shaft 205 around the longitudinal axis of the shaft 205.

[0045] The cutter 211 includes a rigid body 213 mounted to the shaft 205 (or formed integrally with the shaft 205). The rigid body 213 of the cutter 211 has two mirror-image segments 215a, 215b extending from the shaft 266 in opposite directions perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shaft 266. Each segment 215a, 215b has a semicircular outer edge portion and a pair of straight portions connecting the ends of the semicircular outer edge portion to the shaft 266. The space defined by each respective segment 215a or 215b and the shaft 266 is empty. The segments 215a, 215b are aligned with each other and extend along a common plane (i.e., the segments 215a, 215b are coplanar). In the illustrated implementation, each segment 215a, 215b has a pair of serrated edges 217, each serrated edge 217 extending away from the common plane. Typically, for each segment, a sawtooth edge (e.g., 217, which is Figure 2 ) faces one direction, while the other jagged edge (in Figure 2 Not visible in , but see Figure 7C ) faces in another direction (e.g., opposite to the first direction). In various implementations, the serrated edge can extend around the entire body of the pair of straight portions and each semicircular outer edge portion, or the serrated edge can extend around only a portion of the pair of straight portions and each semicircular outer edge portion. For example, in some implementations, the serrated edge is located only on the semicircular outer edge portions of segments 215a, 215b.

[0046] In a typical implementation, the cutter assembly 152a is mounted on the base 120 of the upper portion 102a of the self-cooling beverage can 100a and seals the base 120 of the upper portion 102a of the self-cooling beverage can 100a. An adhesive material may be applied between the base 120 and the portion of the cutter assembly 152a to attach the cutter assembly 152a to the base 120. In some implementations, the portion of the rigid annular body 201 of the cutter assembly 152a may be shaped to follow the corresponding profile on the base 120 of the upper portion 102a of the self-cooling beverage can 100a. More specifically, in some implementations, the size of the cutter assembly 152a is adapted to be upwardly fitted in the space surrounded by the downwardly facing annular protrusion 122 on the base 120 of the upper portion 102a of the self-cooling beverage container 100a. In addition, in some such implementations, the outer side surface 221 of the annular body 201 of the cutter assembly 152a follows the same contour as the facing surface of the downward facing annular protrusion 122 on the base 120 of the upper portion 102a of the self-cooling beverage container 100a. This arrangement helps ensure that a large amount of surface area contact is made between the annular body 201 of the cutter assembly 152a and the downward facing annular protrusion 122 of the base 120. The adhesive (and / or friction fit, and / or external force pressing the two parts together) applied to the contact area helps keep the two parts (the cutter assembly 152a and the upper portion 102a) together.

[0047] The cutter 211 is centered in the circular space defined and surrounded by the annular body 201 of the cutter assembly 152a. The sealed opening 124 in the base 120 of the upper part 102 of the self-cooling beverage can 100a is sealed by the first frangible seal 132, and the sealed opening 124 is centered in the circle defined by the annular protrusion 122 facing downward. Therefore, when the cutter assembly 152a is attached to the base 120, in the illustrated implementation, the cutter 211 is automatically aligned with the opening 124 in the base 120, and is automatically aligned with the first frangible seal 132 covering the opening 124. Thus, when the cutter assembly 152a is attached to the base 120 of the upper portion 102 of the self-cooling beverage can 100a and the shaft 205 is rotated about its longitudinal axis, the cutter 211 and one of its serrated edges moves into the first frangible seal 132 and tears or otherwise damages the first frangible seal 132, thereby substantially unsealing the evaporator chamber 128. Depending on the direction in which the shaft 205 is rotated, the serrated edge on the segment 215a or segment 215b facing the first frangible seal 132 will move into and damage the first frangible seal 132.

[0048] Small gear (in Figure 2 209) may be on the shaft 205, between the cutting element 211 and one of the shaft support surfaces 203 (ie, Figure 2 In a typical implementation, the pinion 209 is closer to the shaft support surface 203 than it is to the cutting element 211. This places the pinion 209 near the inner edge of the closest support surface 203 (e.g., within about 1 or 2 centimeters from the inner edge). The pinion 209 can be a circular gear with gear teeth on its outer peripheral surface.

[0049] In the illustrated implementation, the drive gear assembly 154a has a rigid annular body 223. In the illustrated implementation, the rigid annular body 223 has an outer surface 231, an inner surface 233, an upper surface 234, and a lower surface 235.

[0050] The outer surface 231 of the drive gear assembly 154a defines a first cylindrical section 225a, and a second cylindrical section 225b located below the first cylindrical section 225a. In a typical implementation, the diameter of the first cylindrical section 225a is the same as the diameter of the cylindrical main body of the outer container 108, and the same as the diameter of the cylindrical outer shell 136. The diameter of the second cylindrical section 225b is slightly smaller than the diameter of the first cylindrical section 225a (e.g., less than 1% or 2%). In an exemplary implementation, relative to the first cylindrical section 225a, the smaller diameter of the second cylindrical section 225b provides clearance for the rolled bead on the self-cooling beverage can 100a.

[0051] In the illustrated implementation, the inner surface 233 of the drive gear assembly 154a is cylindrical and is opposite and coaxial with the outer surface 231 of the drive gear assembly 154a. The inner surface 233 has a shorter height than the total height of the outer surface 231 including the first cylindrical section 225a and the second cylindrical section 225b.

[0052] The lower surface 235 of the drive gear assembly 154a extends between the lower edge of the inner surface 233 and the lower edge of the outer surface 231. In the illustrated implementation, the lower surface 235 is flat, annular, and lies in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the cylindrical outer surface 231 and / or the cylindrical inner surface 233.

[0053] The upper surface 234 of the drive gear assembly 154a extends between the upper edge of the inner surface 233 and the upper edge of the outer surface 231. Since the lower surface 235 of the drive gear assembly 154a is flat and is located in a horizontal plane when the self-cooling beverage can 100a is assembled, and since the inner surface 233 of the drive gear assembly 154a is shorter than the outer surface 231 of the drive gear assembly 154a, the inner edge of the upper surface 234 is lower than the outer edge of the upper surface 234.

[0054] The upper surface 234 collectively defines (moving outward from the inner edge) an annular drive gear 227 , a flat annular surface 229 , a cylindrical surface 231 , an annular bracket 233 for holding the outer peripheral portion of the base 120 , and an annular O-ring groove 235 formed in the annular bracket 233 .

[0055] The annular drive gear 227 forms a continuous ring of gear teeth, with the gear teeth facing upward and positioned and configured to engage and mesh with corresponding gear teeth on the pinion 209 of the cutter assembly 152a. The flat annular surface 229 is adjacent to the outside of the annular drive gear 227, surrounds the annular drive gear 227, and is coaxially arranged relative to the annular drive gear 227. The cylindrical surface 231 extends from the outer edge of the flat annular surface 229 perpendicularly to the flat annular surface 229 in an upward direction. The cylindrical surface 231 is also coaxially arranged relative to the annular drive gear 227. The annular bracket 232 extends from the upper edge of the cylindrical surface 231 to the upper edge of the outer surface 231 of the drive gear assembly 154a. The annular bracket 233 has an inner section and an outer section. The outer section of the annular bracket 233 surrounds the inner section of the annular bracket 233. The inner section of the annular bracket 233 follows the contour of the outer edge of the downward facing annular protrusion 122 of the base 120 of the upper portion 102a of the self-cooling beverage can 100a. The outer section of the annular bracket 233 follows the contour of a portion of the base 120 of the upper portion 102a of the self-cooling beverage can 100a, which portion of the base 120 falls radially outside the downward facing annular protrusion 122. An annular O-ring groove 235 is formed in the outer portion of the annular bracket 233, approximately midway between the inner edge of the outer portion of the annular bracket 233 and the outer edge of the outer portion of the annular bracket 233.

[0056] The O-ring 156a is sized to fit within the annular O-ring groove 235 and is configured to fit within the annular O-ring groove 235 in such a manner that a portion of the O-ring 156a extends upwardly beyond the annular O-ring groove 235 to contact and seal against a mating surface on the base 120 of the upper portion 102a of the self-cooling beverage can 100a. In a typical implementation, the O-ring is a mechanical gasket in the shape of a torus (e.g., an elastomeric ring having a circular cross-section designed to sit in a groove (e.g., an annular O-ring groove)) and is compressed during assembly between two components (e.g., the drive gear assembly 154a and the base 120) to form a seal at the interface.

[0057] The flat annular lower surface 235 of the drive gear assembly 154a is adhered (using adhesive) to the upper annular surface 239 on the top of the lower portion 104a of the self-cooling beverage can 100a. The upper annular surface 239 on the top of the lower portion 104a of the self-cooling beverage can 100a is surrounded at its periphery by a raised lip 237. When the flat annular lower surface 235 of the drive gear assembly 154a is adhered to the upper annular surface 239 on the top of the lower portion 104a of the self-cooling beverage can 100a, the raised lip 237 extends upward and surrounds the second cylindrical section 225b of the drive gear assembly 154a.

[0058] Figure 3 is a partial cross-sectional side view of an implementation of an assembled self-cooling beverage can 100a.

[0059] The parts of the self-cooling beverage can 100a represented in the partial cross-sectional view shown comprise upper part 102a, lower part 104a, drive gear assembly 154a and O-ring 154a.In the shown structure, the self-cooling function of self-cooling beverage can 100a is not started.Therefore, the first frangible seal 132 and the second frangible seal 150 are respectively shown in complete state on upper part 102a and lower part 104a (that is, not broken, or otherwise damaged).In typical implementation, one or more frangible seals can be bent like a bow or bend based on the pressure difference on the frangible seal.In the shown figure, cutter assembly (for example, not shown) is not shown. Figure 2 However, in a fully assembled self-cooling beverage can, the cutter assembly 152a will be positioned in the empty space between the upper portion 102a, the lower portion 104a and the drive gear assembly 154a. (See e.g. Figure 4 and the partial side cross-sectional view in FIG. 7 ).

[0060] If the cutter assembly (e.g. Figure 2 If the cutter assembly 152a is positioned in the empty space between the upper portion 102a, the lower portion 104a and the drive gear assembly 154a, the cutter 211 of the cutter assembly 152a will also be located in the empty space (approximately centered in the empty space), with the shaft 205 of the cutter 211 spanning the empty space, and the cutter 211 being disposed approximately midway along the length of the shaft 205. The shaft 205 will also be approximately midway between the two frangible seals, with the two sections of the cutter 211 being approximately mirror images of each other and being large enough to reach the frangible seals when the shaft 205 rotates. Furthermore, if the cutter assembly 152a is so positioned, the pinion 209 on the cutter assembly shaft 205 will mate with the ring gear 227 on the drive gear assembly 154a. Thus, the annular drive gear 227 is located on the drive gear assembly 154a so that when the self-cooling beverage container 100 is in an assembled state (e.g., in, for example, FIG. 7 ), the gear teeth on the annular drive gear 227 engage with the gear teeth on the pinion gear 209 on the cutter assembly 152a. In addition, of course, the size and shape of the gear teeth on the two gears (i.e., the annular drive gear 227 and the pinion gear 209) are suitable for matching / engaging with each other in a driving-driven relationship.

[0061] In a typical implementation, as mentioned herein, the cutter assembly 152a is typically attached to the base 120 of the upper portion 102a of the self-cooling beverage can 100 using an adhesive. In such an implementation, the cutter assembly 152a is configured to move with the upper portion 102a of the self-cooling beverage can 100 and move in the same manner as the upper portion 102a of the self-cooling beverage can 100. For example, if the upper portion 102a of the self-cooling beverage can 100 is to rotate around the axis of the self-cooling beverage can 100, the cutter assembly 152a will also rotate around the axis of the self-cooling beverage can 100 with the upper portion 102a.

[0062] In addition, in the illustrated implementation, the drive gear assembly 154a is adhered to the upwardly facing surface of the lower portion 104a of the self-cooling beverage can 100 using an adhesive. In such an implementation, the drive gear assembly 154a is configured to move with the lower portion 104a of the self-cooling beverage can 100 and move in the same manner as the lower portion 104a of the self-cooling beverage can 100. For example, if the lower portion of the self-cooling beverage can 100 will rotate around the axis of the self-cooling beverage can 100, the drive gear assembly 154a will also rotate around the axis of the self-cooling beverage can 100 with the lower portion 104a.

[0063] Since in a typical implementation, the cutter assembly 152a moves together with the upper portion 102a of the self-cooling beverage can 100 and moves in the same manner as the upper portion 102a of the self-cooling beverage can 100, and the drive gear assembly 154a moves together with the lower portion 104a of the self-cooling beverage can 100 and moves in the same manner as the lower portion 104a of the self-cooling beverage can 100, when the upper portion 102a of the self-cooling beverage can 100 and the lower portion 104a of the self-cooling beverage can 100 rotate in opposite directions relative to each other around the axis of the self-cooling beverage container 100, the cutter assembly 152a and the drive gear assembly 154a also rotate in opposite directions relative to each other around the axis of the self-cooling beverage container 100.

[0064] Because the pinion gear 209 on the cutter assembly 152a cooperates with the ring gear 227 on the drive gear assembly 154a, when the cutter assembly 152a and the drive gear assembly 154a rotate relative to each other, the ring gear 227 causes the pinion gear 209 and its shaft 207 to rotate. The rotation of the shaft 207 causes the cutter 211 to rotate. In a typical implementation, the cutter assembly 152a is positioned and configured so that the axis 207 is approximately midway between the first frangible seal 132 and the second frangible seal 150, and because the two sections 215a, 215b of the cutter 211 are approximately mirror images of each other and symmetrical about the axis 207 (which is the case in a typical implementation), when the cutter 211 is rotated (e.g., away from a substantially horizontal configuration), the cutter 211 eventually contacts and tears (or otherwise damages) the first frangible seal 132 and the second frangible seal 150, thereby opening a fluid flow path between the evaporator compartment 128 and the desiccant chamber 141 / establishing a fluid flow path between the evaporator compartment 128 and the desiccant chamber 141.

[0065] A fluid flow path is established between the evaporator compartment 128 and the desiccant chamber 141, exposing the evaporator compartment 128 to the significantly lower pressure in the desiccant chamber 141, which causes the refrigerant (e.g., hydrogel) in the evaporator compartment 128 to evaporate, thereby absorbing heat from the beverage in the beverage compartment 112 surrounding the evaporator compartment 128. This quickly and significantly cools the beverage.

[0066] Figure 4 1 is another partial cross-sectional side view of a self-cooling beverage container 100b. The illustrated figure includes a reverse partial view of the upper portion 102a of the self-cooling beverage can 100a, and an alternative implementation of a cutter assembly 152b mounted to the base 120 of the upper portion 102a.

[0067] The upper portion 102a of the self-cooling beverage container 100b has a frangible seal 132 that covers an opening in the base 120 of the upper portion 102a. Before rupture, the frangible seal 132 prevents fluid from flowing out of (or into) the evaporator compartment (e.g., 128) in the upper portion 102a. The cutter assembly 152b has a cutter 211 that is mounted or integrated in the rotatable shaft 205 and is configured to cut through the frangible seal 132 when the rotatable shaft rotates, thereby establishing a fluid flow path to the evaporator compartment (e.g., 128).

[0068] In the illustrated figure, cutter 211 is shown as being located in a plane perpendicular to the axis (" A ") of self-cooling beverage can 100. Therefore, some features of cutter 211 are difficult to see. Cutter 211 may have any one of a variety of different physical configurations. In some implementations, cutter 211 may be constructed as shown in any one of the figures as included herein, showing cutter. Cutter 211 is coupled to rotatable shaft 205 (e.g., mounted on rotatable shaft 205, or formed integrally with rotatable shaft 205), and is configured to rotate around the axis of rotatable shaft 205 with rotatable shaft 205, and rotates in the same manner as rotatable shaft 205. Pinion 209 is also coupled to rotatable shaft, and is also configured to rotate around the axis of rotatable shaft 205 with rotatable shaft 205, and rotates in the same manner as rotatable shaft 205. The rotatable shaft 205 is supported at its opposite ends by shaft support surfaces 203, which can be bearings (or part of bearings) that support the shaft 205 while enabling the shaft 205 to rotate about its axis. Each shaft support surface 203 is part of or supported by the rigid annular body 201 of the cutter assembly 152b. In addition, in a typical implementation, the rigid annular body 201 is adhered to the base 120 of the upper portion 102a between the downwardly facing annular protrusions 122 (e.g., with an adhesive material at the junction between the rigid annular body 201 and the base 120 of the upper portion 102a).

[0069] The configuration of the cutter 211 within the self-cooling beverage can 100b shown in the illustrated figure (i.e., located in a plane perpendicular to the axis ("A") of the self-cooling beverage can 100b) is the preferred configuration until and unless the user takes deliberate action to activate the self-cooling function of the can (e.g., by twisting the upper portion 102a of the can relative to the lower portion 104a of the can). This is true even when the self-cooling beverage can 100b is assembled. This is because, as shown, the cutter 211 is configured so that it is away from the frangible seal 132 in the upper portion 102a and (although not in Figure 4 104a). This minimizes the risk of accidentally turning on the cooling function when it is not intended to be turned on.

[0070] The implementations shown in the illustrated figures have measures that tend to keep the cutter 211 in the position / configuration shown. In typical implementations, these measures keep the cutter 211 in the desired position / configuration (e.g., Figure 4209), unless and until a user intentionally applies an external force to push the cutter 211 away from the indicated position / configuration, such as pushing the cutter 211 toward the frangible seal. These measures include a notch 440 formed in the surface of the rigid annular body 201 (facing the pinion 209), a protrusion 442 extending from the side of the pinion 209, a boss 444 near the end of the shaft 205 opposite the pinion 209, and an axial spring 446 (e.g., a wave or spring washer) located between the boss 444 and the inner surface of the annular rigid body 201. In operation, the protrusion 422 is installed in the notch 440, and the axial spring 446 pushes against the boss 444 and the inner surface of the annular rigid body 201 to push (and help keep) the protrusion 442 engaged with and located within the notch 440. The engagement between the protrusion 442 and the notch 440 creates resistance to the shaft being able to rotate. In a typical implementation, this resistance can be overcome relatively easily by the user intentionally applying a torsional force to the upper portion 102a of the tank 100b relative to the lower portion 104a of the tank 100b. In a typical implementation, when the upper and lower portions rotate relative to each other, the projection pops out of the V-shaped groove, allowing the upper and lower portions to rotate relative to each other. The cutter assembly 152b is configured so that when the projection 442 is located in the recess 440, the cutter 211 is arranged as shown.

[0071] These measures (help to keep the cutter 211 in Figure 4 The specific configuration of the annular rigid body 201 (in the position / orientation shown) may vary. In a typical implementation, the notch 440 is V-shaped, with the low point of the "V" extending in a vertical up-down direction. The top of the notch 440 may be near (or located at) the support surface hole 203 for the shaft 205, and in some implementations, the notch 440 may extend downward to the bottom of the annular rigid body 201. The protrusion 442 may also be V-shaped. The protrusion 442 may be arranged along a radial line on the outer circular side of the pinion 209. The radial line may be perpendicular to the plane in which the cutter 211 is located when the protrusion 442 is located in the notch 440. The boss 444 may be a solid cylindrical body coupled to the shaft 205 (e.g., mounted to the shaft 205 or formed integrally with the shaft 205). The solid cylindrical body has a diameter greater than the diameter of the shaft 205 and has a circular side that contacts the axial spring. The axial spring 446 can be a wave washer that is mounted on the shaft 205 and has a "wave" along the axial direction, the "wave" providing spring pressure (e.g., when compressed, against the boss 444 and the inner surface of the rigid annular body 201). Typically, the circular inner hole of the wave washer will be slightly larger than the shaft 205.

[0072] Figure 5It is a partial schematic side cross-sectional view of an exemplary self-cooling beverage can 100c. The self-cooling beverage can 100c shown has an upper part 102c and a lower part 104c connected to each other. The upper part 102 has an internal beverage compartment containing beverage (e.g., beer, soda water, etc.) and an internal evaporator unit containing a refrigerant (e.g., hydrogel), and when the self-cooling function of the beverage can is activated, the refrigerant evaporates to cool the beverage. The lower part 102 has an internal desiccant chamber to absorb moisture from the evaporated refrigerant, and has an internal heat sink to absorb heat from the desiccant. The self-cooling function of the beverage can 100c can be activated by twisting the upper part 102 of the self-cooling beverage can 100c and the lower part 104 of the self-cooling beverage can 100c in opposite directions by the user.

[0073] When the user twists the upper portion 102 and the lower portion 104 in opposite directions, the activator assembly 106c (at the Figure 5 100c) by activating the self-cooling function of the can 100c. In this regard, the twisting motion causes the cutter 211 to change its orientation from a first orientation to a second orientation, in which the cutter 211 is substantially located in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the beverage can 100 (e.g., similar to Figure 4 ), in the second orientation, at least the outer edge of the cutter 211 has broken through the frangible seal (e.g., as shown in Figure 5 In the illustrated implementation, the cutter 211 is approximately halfway through a full swing (eg, completely sweeping away the frangible seal (eg, foil)).

[0074] Figure 6 is a perspective view of an implementation of a rigid annular body 201a for a cutter assembly (eg, 152a).

[0075] The majority of the rigid annular body 201a shown has a flat annular surface (located at the bottom of the illustrated figure), an annular outer surface, an annular inner surface, and a surface with a bump on the diametrically opposite sides of the body 201a (located at the top of the illustrated figure). The bump corresponds to and accommodates a support surface for a shaft (e.g., 205). In the illustrated example, the shaft support surface is provided by a socket 660 located on one side of the rigid annular body 201 and a snap bearing 662 located on the opposite side of the rigid annular body 201. In the illustrated implementation, the socket 660 is simply an opening or hollow portion in the rigid annular body 201 that forms a support for the shaft 215. The snap bearing 662 is a bearing with a split housing that enables the shaft 205 to be pushed down against the split and snapped through the split to engage with the bearing 662 during assembly.

[0076] In the illustrated implementation, the flat annular bottom surface is shown as separate surfaces separated from each other by angled (e.g., 90 degree) corners. However, in some implementations, these surfaces may be combined into one shaped surface (e.g., as Figure 4 ), the shaped surface matches the corresponding surface on the base 120 of the upper portion 102a of the tank. The rigid annular body 201 can be bonded / adhered to the base 120 of the tank.

[0077] The notch 440 is formed in the inner surface of the rigid annular body 201 above the socket 660. The notch 440 shown is V-shaped, with the center of the V (i.e., the deepest part of the notch) extending vertically upward from the top of the socket 660. In the example shown, the V-shaped notch 440 extends all the way to the top surface of the corresponding bump on the rigid annular body 201. As discussed elsewhere herein, the V-shaped notch 440 is configured to engage a corresponding V-shaped protrusion on the side of a pinion (e.g., 209). This helps prevent the shaft 205 and the cutter 211 from undesirable movement (e.g., rotation) during assembly, transportation, and storage (before use).

[0078] Fig. 7A and Figure 7B is a diagram of an implementation of a rotatable portion of a cutter assembly (eg, 152a). Figure 7C is an alternative implementation of the rotatable part.

[0079] Each of the rotatable parts shown includes a shaft 205. Pinion 109 is mounted on shaft 205 and is configured to rotate with shaft 205 about the longitudinal axis of shaft 205. In addition, cutter 211 is mounted on shaft 266 and is also configured to rotate with shaft 205 about the longitudinal axis of shaft 205.

[0080] The cutter 211 includes a rigid body 213 mounted to the shaft 205 (or formed integrally with the shaft 205). The rigid body 213 of the cutter 211 has two mirror-image segments 215a, 215b extending from the shaft 266 in opposite directions perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shaft 266. Each segment 215a, 215b has a semicircular outer edge portion and a pair of straight portions connecting the ends of the semicircular outer edge portion to the shaft 266. The space defined by each respective segment 215a or 215b and the shaft 266 is empty. The segments 215a, 215b are aligned with each other and extend along a common plane (i.e., the segments 215a, 215b are coplanar). In the illustrated implementation, each segment 215a, 215b has a pair of serrated edges 217, each serrated edge 217 extending away from the common plane. Typically, for each segment, one serrated edge faces in one direction and the other serrated edge faces in another direction (e.g., opposite to the first direction). In various implementations, the serrated edge can extend around the entire body of the pair of straight portions and each semicircular outer edge portion, or the serrated edge can extend around only a portion of the pair of straight portions and each semicircular outer edge portion. For example, in some implementations, the serrated edge is located only on the semicircular outer edge portions of segments 215a, 215b.

[0081] Figure 8 It is a top perspective view of an implementation of the lower part 104 of a self-cooling tank (e.g., 100). The top surface 880 of the lower part 104 is quite simple in structure, with some small annular waves. In some implementations, the top surface 880 as a whole (e.g., from the edge seam 882 to the circular edge of the opening 148) is flat. In some implementations, most of the top surface 880 can be flat. It should be noted that the portion of the upper surface 880 that is immediately adjacent to the circular edge of the opening 148 (and forms) is flat. The size of the flat portion around the opening 148 in the upper surface 880 can vary. When the flat portion is minimum, the flat portion should be large enough to enable the frangible seal to be sealed (using adhesive) on the opening 148. When the flat portion is maximum, the flat portion covers the entire upper surface (e.g., from the edge seam 882 to the circular edge of the opening 148). In an exemplary implementation, the flat portion spans a radial distance between 5% and 40% (e.g., between 10% and 30%, or between 15% and 25%) of the distance along a diametrical line from edge 884 of opening 148 to the inner edge of seam 882.

[0082] In view of the foregoing, it can be seen that in an exemplary implementation, disposable (e.g., single-use) self-cooling beverage cans are composed of two major components, and in the assembled structure, these two major components are coupled together, and an actuating mechanism is located between these two major components. These two major components are evaporator and absorber units, and the evaporator is permanently installed in the standard beverage style can, and the absorber unit comprises a heat sink (or heat absorber) and a steam absorber (e.g., desiccant) in the standard food style can. Each of these units is evacuated and sealed with a tearable or fragile foil of center positioning. When the final assembly is completed, the foil is arranged so that the foil faces each other across a gap (e.g., between two major components).

[0083] In the final assembly, the actuating mechanism is mounted in such a way that when the top and bottom of the can are rotated in opposite directions, the two foils tear apart, allowing the water vapor in the evaporator to flow into the absorber, where it is condensed. Because the absorber condenses the water vapor at a lower pressure than that existing in the evaporator, the flow continues until all the water is used up, or the absorptive capacity of the desiccant is exhausted. In the best design, both events occur simultaneously. No compressor is required in this refrigerator.

[0084] In the test sales facility, the evaporator is installed in the beverage can, evacuated and sealed, and the assembly is then sent to the beverage canning machine where it is filled, capped and autoclaved to make the beverage shelf-stable. The filled can then moves to the final assembly where it is mated to the absorber. An image of the completed assembly is shown in Fig. 9 . In this case, a special shaped can is used to make the refrigerable can stand out visibly on the grocery store shelf. The foil cutting assembly is located in a portion of the flow path between two evacuated components. The foil cutting assembly is also evacuated.

[0085] In a typical implementation, the actuation system utilizes a standard flat can lid with a circular hole, which eliminates the need for any specially designed lid (having a complex profile), and the actuation system requires only one portion of the actuation mechanism to be attached to the absorber can lid and the other portion to be attached to the beverage can base, which has a matching center hole so that they simply mate.

[0086] Implementations of self-cooling tanks are described herein that provide a space between the upper and lower portions of the self-cooling tank to accommodate the actuation systems disclosed herein. These implementations are for when the absorber tank has a flat or at least substantially flat upper cover / surface. Alternatively, the absorber cover may be provided with a simple recess in the center to reduce the space between the upper and lower portions.

[0087] The rigid annular body and other parts of the self-cooling tank assembly and the self-cooling tank assembly as a whole can be manufactured in various ways. In one exemplary implementation, each rigid annular body is formed as a molded plastic ring. In some embodiments, the final assembly of the completed refrigerator requires bonding the cutter mounting ring to the cutter assembled in the base of the filled beverage can, bonding the component with the ring gear and O-ring to the absorber can cover, placing the two in a vacuum chamber (the vacuum chamber can be implemented and schematically envisioned as a sealed box (with an airtight closable door) and a suction unit (e.g., a vacuum pump, an air ejector, etc.), and then pressing the two together while returning the assembly to atmospheric pressure. In some embodiments, in this regard, the upper part and the lower part can be held together by atmospheric pressure (the actuator assembly is located between the upper part and the lower part). Experience has shown that the two parts can be firmly held together in this way for many years. The vacuum level created in the vacuum chamber can vary. However, in various embodiments, the vacuum can be a low vacuum (e.g., (31kPa to 110kPa) to 100Pa), a medium vacuum (e.g., <100Pa to 0.1Pa), a high vacuum (e.g., <0.1Pa to 1×10 -6 Pa), ultra-high vacuum (e.g., <1×10 -6 Pa to 1×10 -9 Pa), or extremely high vacuum (e.g., less than 1×10 - 9 Pa). Other ranges of vacuum are possible.

[0088] Several embodiments of the present invention have been described. However, it will be appreciated that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0089] For example, the size and shape (comprising relative size and shape and absolute size and shape) of self-cooling beverage can and parts and subcomponents thereof can vary considerably.For example, rigid annular body and cutter can have other configurations.The serrated edge can be any kind of cutting edge or other solid form that can tear or otherwise damage frangible seal.Frangible seal can be any one of various materials and sizes, as can the hole covered by frangible seal.O-ring can be any one of various O-ring materials, and can be lubricated so as to slide between the upper part and the lower part of the can.Cutter support can have different configurations.For example, the cutter support does not need to be annular.

[0090] As mentioned herein, in some implementations, two parts (upper part and lower part) can be held together by vacuum, which is achieved by assembling the two parts together in a vacuum chamber. In an exemplary implementation, the injection molded rigid annular body for driving the gear assembly is a single injection molded cover, which is tightly mounted on the top of the lower part (e.g., absorber tank). The cover can be designed to fit the seam of the lower tank, and includes a drive gear and a recess to obtain an O-ring seal in one molding as much as possible. This is consistent with the formed beverage can base. In those instances, the O-ring forms a sliding vacuum seal (i.e., a seal that maintains a vacuum between the two parts while enabling the two parts to slide (or twist) relative to each other). Although this can be designed to fit tightly on the edge of the tank, in some implementations, the seal may need to be pasted with an adhesive or sealant to prevent it from slipping as much as possible when the parts rotate. In an example where the upper and lower parts of the tank are held together by means of a vacuum in the space that accommodates the cutter, a separate adhesive or structural feature may not be provided to hold the two parts together along the axial direction.

[0091] Self-cooling cans are described herein as containing beverages to be cooled. However, self-cooling cans can be used to cool almost any type of coolable substance (e.g., any liquid, etc.). The refrigerant used can vary. The desiccant used can vary. The heat sink material (usually a fusible solid material) can vary.

[0092] The upper and lower portions of the assembly are described as being can-shaped, but these portions may take other shapes. In addition, one or more internal compartments (e.g., an evaporator compartment, a beverage compartment, a desiccant compartment, and / or a heat sink compartment) may vary depending on the specific configuration disclosed herein. For example, in some implementations, the heat sink compartment may be formed by a string of sealed bags or a collection of sealed bags containing heat sink material, with the desiccant being loosely filled around the sealed bag in the desiccant chamber.

[0093] The cutter may be provided with teeth on either or both faces so that the direction of rotation of the two cans relative to each other is independent. The teeth may form virtually any kind of cutting shape (eg saw teeth, etc.).

[0094] The notch and cutter may be reversed so that the notch is on the pinion and the protrusion is on the surface of the support element.

[0095] It should be understood that any relative terms used herein, such as "upper", "lower", "above", "below", "front", "rear", etc., are intended only to clearly describe the specific implementation being discussed, and are not intended to limit the scope of what is described herein to require a specific position and / or orientation. In addition, terms such as "horizontal", "vertical", etc., assume that the self-cooling tank is in a normal upright orientation. If the device is not placed with its base on a horizontal support surface, the surfaces, subcomponents, etc. described as "horizontal", "vertical", etc., may not be so oriented. Therefore, these terms should be considered to describe the specific implementation shown, rather than otherwise limiting the scope of the present application, unless otherwise indicated or stated. Unless otherwise indicated and / or stated, the relative terms used herein should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the present application. In addition, terms such as substantially and similar words may be used herein. Unless otherwise indicated, substantially and similar words should be broadly interpreted as completely and almost completely (for example, for a measurable amount, its meaning can be, for example (but not limited to) completely, 99% or more, 95% or more, 90% or more, 85% or more, 80% or more, etc.).

[0096] Although this specification contains many specific implementation details, these details should not be interpreted as limitations on the scope of any invention, or limitations on the scope of the content that can be claimed, but should be interpreted as descriptions of features specific to specific embodiments of specific inventions. In this specification, certain features described in the context of separate embodiments can also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. On the contrary, the various features described in the context of a single embodiment can also be implemented separately in multiple embodiments, or in any suitable sub-combination. In addition, although the features can be described above as working in a specific combination, even initially stated, in some cases, one or more features from the combination claimed for protection can be deleted from the combination, and the combination claimed for protection can be directed to a sub-combination or a change in the sub-combination.

[0097] Similarly, although operations and / or processes are disclosed herein to occur in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that these operations be performed in the particular order shown or in a sequential order, or requiring that all indicated operations be performed to achieve the desired results. In some cases, multitasking or parallel processing may be advantageous.

[0098] Other implementations are within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A self-cooling container for cooling a liquid, the self-cooling container comprising: The first part includes: an interior compartment containing a liquid to be cooled; an interior evaporator unit containing a refrigerant; and a first frangible seal extending across and sealing the evaporator unit; The second part includes: an internal desiccant chamber containing a desiccant; and a second frangible seal extending across and sealing the desiccant chamber, wherein the first portion is configured to rotate relative to the second portion about the axis of the self-cooling container; an actuator assembly, the actuator assembly being located between the first portion and the second portion of the self-cooling container, wherein the actuator assembly comprises: a cutter assembly coupled to the first portion of the self-cooling container, wherein the cutter assembly comprises: a cutter support; a rotatable shaft coupled to the cutter support; a cutter coupled to the rotatable shaft; and a pinion gear coupled to the rotatable shaft; and a drive gear assembly coupled to the second portion of the self-cooling container, wherein the drive gear assembly comprises: a housing; and a ring gear supported by the housing, Wherein, the pinion gear on the cutter assembly cooperates with the ring gear of the drive gear assembly.

2. The self-cooling container according to claim 1, wherein: The first portion rotates relative to the second portion about the axis of the self-cooling container so that the ring gear rotates relative to the cutter assembly about the axis of the self-cooling container, and Wherein, the ring gear rotates relative to the cutter assembly about the axis of the self-cooling container so that the pinion gear rotates about the axis of the shaft.

3. The self-cooling container according to claim 2, wherein: The pinion gear rotates about the axis of the shaft, causing the cutter to rotate about the axis of the shaft.

4. The self-cooling container according to claim 3, wherein: The cutter is configured relative to the first and second frangible seals such that rotation of the cutter about the axis of the shaft causes the cutter to cut into and tear the first and second frangible seals.

5. The self-cooling container according to claim 4, wherein: Cutting into and breaking the first and second frangible seals establishes a fluid flow path between the internal evaporator unit and the internal desiccant chamber.

6. The self-cooling container according to claim 5, wherein: The fluid flow path is established to enable refrigerant in the interior evaporator unit to evaporate and travel to the interior desiccant chamber.

7. The self-cooling container according to claim 6, wherein: The second portion of the self-cooling container also includes an internal heat sink to remove heat from the desiccant.

8. The self-cooling container according to claim 1, further comprising: a notch formed in a surface of the housing facing a side of the pinion gear; a protrusion extending from a side surface of the pinion gear; a boss proximate an end of the shaft opposite the pinion; and An axial spring is located between the boss and the inner surface of the housing.

9. The self-cooling container according to claim 8, wherein: The protrusion is configured to be installed in the recess, and the axial spring is configured to push the boss and the inner surface of the housing to push the pinion toward the surface of the housing so that when the protrusion is aligned with the recess, the protrusion is pushed to engage with the recess.

10. The self-cooling container according to claim 9, wherein: Each of the recess and the protrusion has a V-shape.

11. The self-cooling container according to claim 9, wherein: When the notch is engaged with the notch, the cutter is maintained in a position away from the first frangible seal and the second frangible seal.

12. The self-cooling container according to claim 1, further comprising: An O-ring is positioned at an interface between a first surface of an upper portion of the self-cooling container and a second surface of the drive gear assembly and is configured to seal the interface.

13. The self-cooling container according to claim 12, wherein: The upper portion of the self-cooling container is secured to the lower portion of the self-cooling container by means of vacuum pressure conditions in the space between the upper portion of the self-cooling container and the lower portion of the self-cooling container within the seal provided by the O-ring.

14. A self-cooling container for cooling a liquid, the self-cooling container comprising: a first portion including a first frangible seal extending across and sealing an interior evaporator unit containing a refrigerant; a second portion including a second frangible seal extending across and sealing a desiccant chamber containing a desiccant, wherein the first portion is configured to rotate relative to the second portion about an axis of the self-cooling container; an actuator assembly, the actuator assembly being located between the first portion and the second portion of the self-cooling container, wherein the actuator assembly comprises: a cutter assembly coupled to the first portion of the self-cooling container, wherein the cutter assembly includes a cutter coupled to a rotatable shaft and a pinion coupled to the rotatable shaft; and a drive gear assembly coupled to the second portion of the self-cooling container, wherein the drive gear assembly includes a ring gear supported by a housing, Wherein, the pinion gear on the cutter assembly cooperates with the ring gear of the drive gear assembly.

15. A method of making a self-cooling container for cooling a liquid, the method comprising: Providing a first portion of the self-cooling container, wherein the first portion comprises: an interior compartment containing a liquid to be cooled; an interior evaporator unit containing a refrigerant; and a first frangible seal extending across and sealing the evaporator unit; Providing a second portion of the self-cooling container, the second portion comprising: an internal desiccant chamber containing a desiccant; and a second frangible seal extending across and sealing the desiccant chamber, A cutter assembly is provided for the self-cooling container, wherein the cutter assembly comprises: a cutter support; a rotatable assembly coupled to the cutter support, wherein the rotatable assembly comprises: A rotatable shaft; a cutter coupled to the rotatable shaft; and a pinion gear coupled to the rotatable shaft; and A drive gear assembly is provided for the self-cooling container, wherein the drive gear assembly comprises: a housing; and a ring gear supported by the housing, attaching the cutter support of the cutter assembly to the first portion of the self-cooling container; attaching the housing of the drive gear assembly to the second portion of the self-cooling container; placing the first portion of the self-cooling container with the attached cutter support in a vacuum chamber; placing the second portion of the self-cooling container with the attached drive gear assembly in the vacuum chamber; Establishing a vacuum environment in the vacuum chamber; within the vacuum environment, pressing the first portion of the self-cooling container with the attached cutter support against the second portion of the self-cooling container with the attached drive gear assembly such that the pinion gear of the cutter assembly engages with the ring gear of the drive gear assembly, wherein an O-ring is present between the first portion of the self-cooling container with the attached cutter support and the second portion of the self-cooling container with the attached drive gear assembly; and removing the first portion of the self-cooling container with the attached cutter support and the second portion of the self-cooling container with the attached drive gear assembly from the vacuum environment, wherein the O-ring is present between the first portion of the self-cooling container with the attached cutter support and the second portion of the self-cooling container with the attached drive gear assembly, Wherein, after removing the first portion of the self-cooling container with the attached cutter support and the second portion of the self-cooling container with the attached drive gear assembly from the vacuum environment, the first portion of the self-cooling container with the attached cutter support remains connected to the second portion of the self-cooling container with the attached drive gear assembly by means of the low pressure environment existing in the internal space between the first portion of the self-cooling container and the second portion of the self-cooling container after being removed from the vacuum environment.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein: The cutter assembly further comprises: a notch formed in a surface of the housing facing a side of the pinion gear; a protrusion extending from a side surface of the pinion gear; a boss proximate an end of the rotatable shaft opposite the pinion; and an axial spring, the axial spring being located between the boss and the inner surface of the housing, The method further comprises: At least during the manufacturing method, the rotatable assembly of the cutter assembly is maintained in a fixed configuration by: installing the protrusion in the recess; The axial spring is configured to push the boss and the inner surface of the housing to urge the pinion toward the surface of the housing so as to keep the protrusion urged to engage with the recess.

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