Temperature changing containers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing temperature changing containers face issues such as short-lived heat generation, safety concerns due to extremely high temperatures, potential for leaks, uneven heating, and incomplete reactant release, necessitating a solution for long-lasting, controlled, and safe heat transfer.
Innovation Solution
A temperature changing container design featuring a main container with a thermally conductive lower wall, a sealed activator container with a membrane that can be opened by an activation tab to expose an activator liquid to a reactant in a reaction chamber, allowing for exothermic or endothermic reactions that maintain consistent temperature and efficient heat transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If quick-lime and water reaction is used for heating, then the contents are initially hot, but the heat generation completes very quickly and contents cool down after only a few minutes
Solution Approach 1:
The reaction chamber is divided into multiple compartments separated by partitions, with reactant portions distributed in separate segments. This segmentation extends the reaction duration by controlling the sequential or staged release of reactants, preventing rapid complete reaction while maintaining sustained heat generation over an extended period
Solution Approach 2:
The container employs periodic reactant release mechanisms where reactant portions are released in controlled intervals rather than all at once. This periodic action maintains sustained exothermic reactions over extended periods, providing consistent heat generation throughout the desired time frame rather than a single brief heating event
2Temperature
If quick-lime and water combination is used, then the contents are heated, but the reaction creates extremely hot conditions that can lead to dangerously hot contents requiring a container that can withstand extremely high temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the reaction chamber are designed with varying thermal properties and reactant concentrations. The container structure incorporates localized thermal management features that distribute heat more evenly and prevent concentrated extreme hot spots, reducing the risk of dangerously high temperatures while maintaining effective heating
Solution Approach 2:
The invention modifies reaction parameters by using alternative reactant combinations or adjusting reactant ratios to achieve moderate exothermic reactions. This controls the intensity of heat generation to remain within safe temperature ranges while still providing sufficient heating for the contents
3Temperature
If quick-lime and water reaction is used, then the contents are heated, but the hot slurry created can easily leak out of the container and cause burns
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful slurry-forming quick-lime reactant is extracted and replaced with alternative reactants that produce gaseous or non-slurry byproducts. This elimination of slurry generation removes the leakage hazard entirely while maintaining the heat generation function through controlled chemical reactions
4Temperature
If heated slurry is used, then the bottom of the contents chamber is heated, but the contents at the bottom become much hotter than contents at the top, resulting in coolest contents leaving first when dispensed from the top
Solution Approach 1:
The heating mechanism is transitioned from bottom-only contact heating to three-dimensional distributed heating throughout the contents chamber. Reactant portions are distributed in multiple locations including above and around the contents, creating uniform heat generation in all spatial dimensions rather than concentrated at the bottom, ensuring even temperature distribution
5Reliability
If a membrane is sealed to contain reactants, then the reactants are sequestered, but a small puncture or tear in the membrane allows the reactant inside to clog the opening and prevent rapid and complete release of the reactant
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of relying on a single membrane seal that is vulnerable to clogging at puncture points, the invention uses multiple distributed release mechanisms or alternative sealing approaches that ensure complete and rapid reactant release without creating clog-prone narrow openings
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 container provides long-lasting temperature control, ensuring consistent heating or cooling for an extended duration, enhancing safety with controlled reactant release and efficient heat transfer, while being made from inexpensive, disposable materials.
Implementation Method 1
the activator liquid to contact the reactant to initiate a temperature changing reaction
Implementation Method 2
the activator liquid to contact the reactant to initiate a temperature changing reaction
Implementation Method 3
A sealed activator container is formed under the main container... The activator container has a thermally conductive upper wall... A reactant is disposed in the reaction chamber beneath the activator container
Data Source
AI summary
Instant temperature changing device includes reactant and activator liquid that generate an exothermic or endothermic chemical reaction when combined to heat or cool contents in the device. One temperature changing device includes an inner shell and an outer shell, an activator container, and a reaction chamber. Opening the activator container causes reactant to combine with activator liquid and undergo an exothermic or endothermic reaction to initiate heat transfer to or from the contents disposed in the inner shell.