Heat exchanging liquid container
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional thermal insulating beverage containers are inefficient in maintaining the temperature of beverages within a desirable range for an extended period, typically lasting only 15 to 30 minutes, as they fail to effectively manage heat transfer between the liquid and the ambient environment.
Innovation Solution
A heat exchanging liquid container system incorporating a phase change material (PCM) module with a selected melting temperature, which forms a temperature conditioning channel that allows the liquid to flow through and exchange thermal energy with the PCM, maintaining the beverage within a desired temperature range by absorbing or releasing heat as needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional thermal insulating beverage containers are used, then heat transfer between liquid and ambient environment is minimized, but the beverage temperature cannot be maintained within a desirable range for an extended period
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes phase change material (PCM) that undergoes phase transition between solid and liquid states at a specific melting temperature. When the beverage temperature rises above the desired range, the PCM absorbs excess heat through melting (solid to liquid phase change). When the temperature drops below the desired range, the PCM releases stored heat through freezing (liquid to solid phase change). This phase transition mechanism enables the beverage temperature to be maintained within a narrow desirable range for extended periods, resolving the contradiction between temperature control precision and duration of action.
2Temperature
If thermal insulating barriers are provided to slow down heat transfer, then cooling and warming of liquid is minimized, but the liquid does not reach desirable drinking temperature efficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces PCM as an intermediary substance between the beverage and the ambient environment. The PCM module is positioned to thermally interact with the beverage, acting as a mediator that actively regulates heat transfer. Rather than relying solely on passive insulation barriers that slow down heat transfer, the PCM intermediary actively absorbs or releases heat as needed, enabling the beverage to reach and maintain desirable drinking temperature efficiently while extending the duration of temperature control.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively maintains beverages at a consistent temperature within the desired range (e.g., 98° F. to 160° F. for hot beverages and 32° F. to 55° F. for cold beverages) for several hours, enhancing the duration the beverage remains drinkable.
Implementation Method 1
a phase change material (PCM) module disposable within the main body, a PCM disposed within the PCM module, the PCM having a selected melting temperature
Implementation Method 2
the PCM is structured and operable to, via the thermal contact with the liquid as the liquid is dispensed though the temperature conditioning channel, exchange thermal energy with the liquid and thereby condition the liquid
Data Source
AI summary
A heat exchanging liquid container system comprising a main body; a phase change material (PCM) module disposable within the main body; a PCM disposed within the PCM module; a liquid reservoir defined by the main body and/or the PCM module configured to have liquid disposed therein having a first temperature; and a temperature conditioning channel formed along a wall of the PCM module and/or through the PCM module such that the temperature conditioning channel is in thermal contact with the PCM. The temperature conditioning channel configured to provide a flow path through which the liquid can flow to dispense the liquid from the liquid reservoir such that the liquid will be in thermal contact with the PCM while being dispensed. The PCM configured to exchange thermal energy with the liquid and thereby condition the liquid to be dispensed at a second temperature that is within a desired temperature range.