Temperature changing container
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing temperature changing containers for beverages and foods face issues such as short-lived heat generation, safety concerns due to extremely high temperatures, uneven heating, incomplete reactant release, and the need for external activation mechanisms, which limit their effectiveness and safety in maintaining consistent temperatures over time.
Innovation Solution
A temperature changing container design featuring a nested inner and outer shell with a pre-weakened membrane that allows controlled release of an activator liquid to react with a segregated reactant, facilitating a prolonged exothermic or endothermic reaction for consistent heat transfer, while ensuring safety through thermal conductivity and convection, and using a compressible gasket for efficient activation.
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 reaction completes very quickly and contents cool down after only a few minutes
Solution Approach 1:
The reactant is divided into multiple segments or portions that are released sequentially rather than all at once. This segmentation allows the exothermic reaction to occur in stages, extending the duration of heat generation while maintaining effective heating temperatures throughout the process.
Solution Approach 2:
The reaction is made periodic through controlled release of reactant portions at intervals. This periodic action ensures continuous heat generation over an extended period, preventing the temperature from dropping after initial heating, and maintaining warmth throughout the desired duration.
2Temperature
If quick-lime exothermic reaction is used, then the contents are heated, but the reaction is extremely hot and can lead to dangerously hot contents requiring a container that can withstand extremely high temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using the full intensity of the quick-lime reaction at once, only a portion of the reactant is released initially. This partial action provides sufficient heating without reaching dangerously high temperatures, and additional reactant can be released gradually if more heating is needed, allowing temperature control.
Solution Approach 2:
The reaction parameters are changed by controlling the rate and amount of reactant release. By adjusting these parameters, the reaction intensity is moderated to provide effective heating while avoiding dangerous temperature extremes, making the system safer for consumer use.
3Temperature
If quick-lime and water combination is used for heating, then the contents are heated, but a hot slurry is created that can easily leak out of the container and cause burns
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful slurry-forming component is extracted or avoided by using alternative reactants or reaction systems that do not produce slurry. This eliminates the leakage hazard while maintaining the heating function, or the slurry is contained in a separate compartment that prevents contact with contents.
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediary substance or mechanism is introduced to prevent direct contact between the reactant mixture and the contents. This intermediary layer or containment structure allows heat transfer while preventing slurry leakage, solving both the heating and safety problems.
4Temperature
If heated slurry is used for heating, then the bottom of the contents chamber is contacted by hot slurry, but the contents at the bottom are much hotter than contents at the top resulting in uneven heating
Solution Approach 1:
The heating approach is moved from direct contact heating at the bottom to a different dimensional approach, such as surrounding heating or steam heating that distributes heat more uniformly throughout the contents. This dimensional change ensures even temperature distribution without creating hot spots at the bottom.
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediary heating medium such as steam or hot gas is used instead of direct slurry contact. This intermediary transfers heat uniformly throughout the contents via convection and radiation, eliminating the temperature gradient between bottom and top portions.
5Ease of operation
If a membrane is punctured or torn to release reactant, then the reactant can be released, but a small puncture or tear can allow the reactant inside to clog the opening and prevent rapid and complete release
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane is pre-cut or pre-weakened along specific lines or patterns before use. This preliminary action ensures that when activation occurs, the membrane breaks along predetermined paths that guarantee complete and rapid reactant release, preventing clogging by ensuring the opening is sufficiently large from the start.
Solution Approach 2:
The release mechanism is made dynamic by using a membrane that breaks or opens completely upon activation rather than creating a small static puncture. This dynamic opening ensures rapid and complete reactant release, preventing the clogging issue associated with small initial 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 maintains elevated or reduced temperatures for an extended duration, ensuring safe and efficient heat transfer, preventing burns, and allowing for controlled reaction duration and intensity, thus addressing the limitations of existing technologies.
Implementation Method 1
the reactant and activator liquid combine and undergo an exothermic or endothermic reaction to initiate heat transfer to or from contents disposed in the main container
Implementation Method 2
The inner shell is thermally conductive and configured to hold contents to be heated or cooled
Implementation Method 3
provides for efficient heat transfer using conduction and convection
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
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.