阅读说明：本技术 自我加热包装系统 (Self-heating packaging system ) 是由 杰佛逊·布莱克·威斯特 罗伯特·尤金·赛克 克日什托夫·C·克维亚特科夫斯基 于 2019-10-03 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明公开一种一体成型加热器模块,具有一端盖及一基座,其中,所述加热器筒的基座填充有固态反应混合物。扭转以激活加热器启动功能是直接包埋至所述一体成型加热器模块中。一反应性启动粒系包埋于所述小型固态反应混合物的上表面。一撞针的活塞头穿过内部金属隔片的中央,被置于离所述启动粒的上表面一小段距离处。当旋转所述使用者活化的CUI,一凸轮的基座推动撞针的终端,其突出而穿过所述一体成型加热器模块的端盖中的小孔。所述活塞的相对端陷入所述启动粒,因此对所述使用者的CUI操作做出反应而启动加热器激活作用。(The invention discloses an integrally formed heater module, which is provided with an end cover and a base, wherein the base of a heater cylinder is filled with a solid reaction mixture. The twist to activate the heater activation function is embedded directly into the integrally formed heater module. A reactive starter particle is embedded in the upper surface of the compact solid reaction mixture. The piston head of a firing pin passes through the center of the inner metal spacer and is positioned a short distance from the upper surface of the initiator. When the user activated CUI is rotated, the base of a cam pushes the terminal end of a striker pin that protrudes through an aperture in the end cap of the integrally formed heater module. The opposite end of the plunger is plunged into the starter pellet, thus initiating heater activation in response to the user's CUI operation.)

1. A heater assembly, comprising:

a heater bushing;

a heater cartridge configured to be positioned within the heater sleeve, the heater cartridge having a base filled with a solid reaction mixture and a rotatable end cap having a starter subassembly positioned therein;

a reactive starter embedded in the upper surface of the solid reaction mixture;

a pressure bubble containing a priming fluid adjacent to the reactive priming particle;

a firing pin having one end attached to the initial subassembly and the other end configured with a piston head positioned proximally to the compression bubble in a pre-drive rest position;

wherein, when the starting subassembly rotates, the striker rod changes position towards the press bubble until contacting and breaking the press bubble whereupon the starting liquid reacts with the reactive starter particles to ignite the solid reaction mixture.

2. The heater assembly according to claim 1, wherein the solid reaction mixture comprises 15-25% aluminum having a particle size of 2-30 microns, 20-30% silica, and 25-45% alumina.

3. The heater assembly according to claim 1, wherein the heater sleeve of the start subassembly is configured with a helically canted grooved channel that is secured to a rotatable cam located inside the heater sleeve in engagement with a guide pin.

4. The heater assembly according to claim 1, wherein the protruding barb feature of the heater sleeve is provided with a specific angle relative to a starting rest position of the rotatable cam, thereby providing particularly good alignment of the heater sleeve in the heater assembly.

5. The heater assembly of claim 1, wherein the slotted feature on the start subassembly matches a user activated knife edge feature on a consumer user interface, the start subassembly rotating as the consumer user interface rotates.

6. The heater assembly according to claim 5, wherein the consumer user interface is a plastic cap that engages a container rim.

7. The heater assembly according to claim 1, wherein a passive thermal control material is disposed adjacent to or in thermal contact with the base of the heater cartridge.

8. The heater assembly according to claim 1, wherein the end cap is configured with an air vent to vent excess pressure from the reaction chamber.

9. The heater assembly according to claim 1, wherein the end cap is configured with a protruding barb feature and the heater cartridge is configured with a vertical groove, wherein the protruding barb feature is aligned in the vertical groove to establish a desired orientation of the heater cartridge in the heater cartridge during assembly.

10. The heater assembly according to claim 1, wherein the heater sleeve is configured with a terminal flange to allow the heater assembly to be attached to a container.

11. The heater assembly according to claim 10, wherein the terminal flange is affixed to the container using an aerosol crimp.

12. The heater assembly according to claim 10, wherein the terminal flange is affixed to the container with an adhesive.

13. The heater assembly according to claim 10, wherein the terminal flange is affixed to the container with a collar.

14. The heater assembly according to claim 10, wherein the terminal flange is affixed to the container top.

15. The heater assembly according to claim 10, wherein the terminal flange is affixed to the container bottom.

16. The heater assembly according to claim 1, wherein the heater sleeve is configured with a pour aperture.

17. The heater assembly according to claim 1, wherein a compressive force applied to a terminal end of the heater assembly does not activate the solid reaction mixture.

18. A container, comprising:

a vessel having a heater cartridge located in a heater sleeve, the heater cartridge having a base filled with a solid reaction mixture and a rotatable end cap having a starter subassembly located therein;

a reactive starter embedded in the upper surface of the solid reaction mixture;

a pressure bubble containing a priming fluid adjacent to the reactive priming particle;

a firing pin having one end attached to the initial subassembly and the other end configured with a piston head positioned proximally to the compression bubble in a pre-drive rest position;

wherein as the initial subassembly rotates, the striker changes position toward the compression bubble until contacting and breaking the compression bubble,

the starting liquid then reacts with the reactive starter particles to ignite the solid reaction mixture.

19. The vessel of claim 18, wherein the solid reaction mixture comprises 15-25% aluminum having a particle size of 2-30 microns, 20-30% silica, and 25-45% alumina.

20. The container of claim 18, wherein the heater sleeve of the start subassembly is configured with a helically canted grooved channel that is secured to a rotatable cam located inside the heater sleeve in engagement with a guide pin.

21. The container of claim 18, wherein the protruding barb feature of the heater sleeve is provided with a specific angle relative to the initial rest position of the rotatable cam to provide particularly good alignment of the heater sleeve in the heater assembly.

22. The container of claim 18, wherein the slotted feature on the initiating sub-assembly matches a user activated knife edge feature on a consumer user interface, whereby when the consumer user interface is rotated, the initiating sub-assembly rotates.

23. The container of claim 18, wherein the consumer user interface is a plastic cap that snaps over the container rim.

24. The container of claim 18, wherein a passive thermal control material is disposed adjacent to or in thermal contact with the base of the heater cartridge.

25. The vessel of claim 18, wherein the end cap is configured with an air vent to vent excess pressure from the reaction chamber.

26. The container of claim 18, wherein the end cap is configured with a protruding barb feature and the heater cartridge is configured with a vertical groove, wherein the protruding barb feature is aligned in the vertical groove to establish a desired orientation of the heater cartridge in the heater cartridge during assembly.

27. The container of claim 18, wherein the heater sleeve is configured with a terminal flange to allow the heater assembly to be attached to a container.

28. The heater assembly according to claim 10, wherein the terminal flange is affixed to the container top.

29. The heater assembly according to claim 10, wherein the terminal flange is affixed to the container bottom.

30. The heater assembly according to claim 1, wherein a compressive force applied to a terminal end of the heater assembly does not activate the solid reaction mixture.

Background

Modular compact heater assemblies assembled in containers for heating food or beverage contents are well known in the art and have been disclosed in numerous patents, for example, U.S. patent No. 8,864,924 entitled "solid thermite composition based heating device", U.S. patent No. 9,055,841 entitled "package heating device", U.S. patent No. 8,555,870 entitled "package heating device and chemical composition", U.S. patent No. 9,500,389 entitled "thermally regulated self-heating container", and U.S. patent No. 10,058,209 entitled "high performance self-heating container", all of which are related to the art of the present invention. At least one inventor of all the above cases is the same as the present case.

These prior art heater assemblies described herein effectively store chemical energy in contained solid chemical reactants and can be easily activated by a user to rapidly release thermal energy. The thermal energy is conducted through the walls of the immediately adjacent container to uniformly heat the contents therein. A passive thermal safety mechanism may be incorporated into the heater to provide additional safety to the consumer.

Various forms of heater module structures, and means for integrating the heater into a functional package have been described. For example, U.S. patent No. 10,058,209, entitled "high performance self-heating container," describes an all-round self-heating packaging solution suitable for heating standard two-piece beverage containers configured to be compatible with a wide variety of fillings, brands, and consumers.

However, there is still a need for a composite integrally formed heater module suitable for use with a heater sleeve, whereby they each have matching alignment features to ensure a particularly good relative orientation. Such a modular assembly may allow the self-heating function to be integrated into one of the lid or base of a self-heating beverage container package and then provide an appropriate consumer user interface.

Disclosure of Invention

This non-provisional application claims priority based on prior U.S. provisional patent application 62/740,812, filed 2018, 3.10.3, entitled "IMPROVED SELF-heating packaging System (IMPROVED SELF-HEATING PACKAGE SYSTEMS"), entitled "Krzysztoff C. KWiatkowski, Jefferson blade West, and Robert Eugene Secker, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety as if fully set forth herein.

Various embodiments of the present invention relate to improved self-heating packaging systems that use solid state heaters and packaging component mechanics to provide more flexible and robust implementations.

In one embodiment of the invention, a separate heater cartridge with end caps encloses the functional materials and components of the solid state heater. The base of the heater cartridge is filled with a solid reaction mixture. Twisting to activate a (start-to-activate) heater activation function is directly embedded in the integrally formed heater module by adding a sub-assembly to the end cap of the integrally formed heater module.

The cylindrical outer sleeve of the starting subassembly has a helical sloped grooved channel that engages a guide pin secured to a rotatable cam located within the sleeve. The cylindrical outer sleeve has a protruding barb feature and is set at a specific angle relative to the initial rest position of the rotatable cam, whereby the integrally formed heater module with heater sleeve can provide a particularly excellent alignment when installed.

In some embodiments, a slotted feature on the starting subassembly is designed to mate with a knife edge feature on a user activated user interface (user activated CUI) in an assembled self-heating package, whereby when the user activated CUI is rotated, the rotatable cam will rotate together, producing a controllable displacement of the rotatable cam in the direction of the end cap.

Reactive starter particles are embedded in the upper surface of the compact solid reaction mixture and a starter liquid-filled bubble is located above the starter particles. In the pre-drive rest position, the piston head of a firing pin passes through the center of the inner metal diaphragm and is positioned a short distance from the upper surface of the compressible liquid-filled bladder.

When the user activated CUI is rotated, the base of the cam pushes against one end of the cam, which protrudes through a small hole in the end cap of the integrally formed heater module. The internally disposed opposite end of the plunger is immediately positioned adjacent the compressible bubble and trigger pellet, thus initiating heater activation in response to the user's CUI operation.

Embodiments described herein incorporate integrally formed heater modules that are combined to a heater sleeve, each having matching alignment features to ensure a particular preferred relative orientation. Such modular components may allow the self-heating function to be integrated into one of the lid or base of a self-heating beverage container package, followed by providing an appropriate consumer user interface. Also, the torsional drive mechanism is integrated into the integrally formed heater module and provides a stable interlock to avoid activation of the heater by inadvertent pressure during manufacturing assembly, shipping and handling operations, including high speed installation into filled self-heating packages, as is well known to those skilled in the art.

The foregoing has outlined some of the aspects of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood. Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following claims. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures or processes for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. Accordingly, the specific embodiments discussed are merely illustrative of specific ways to make and use the invention, and do not delimit the scope of the invention.

Drawings

For a more complete understanding of the present invention and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a complete integrally formed heater module according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the integrally formed heater module of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a heater sleeve according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4A is a partial perspective view of the outside of an integrally formed heater module with a heater cartridge inserted therein, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4B is a partial perspective view of the outside of an integrally formed heater module with the heater sleeve wall shown in transparency in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a seamable end shell (seamable end shell) of a frangible beverage container lid, modified to fit within the heater sleeve shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is an embodiment of a seamable lid integrated into a heater sleeve, suitable for seamable attachment to a known container body, and compatible with the heater and CUI assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of the addition of the seamable cover tube of FIG. 6 to a filled beverage container into which an integrally formed heater module has been inserted;

FIG. 7B is a perspective view of the bottom side of the CUI, when inverted, configured for attachment to the integrally formed heater module of FIG. 7A;

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the major components of a self-heating container system having a lid-on CUI in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is an empty two-piece beverage container showing a cross-sectional view of a base-mounted heater cartridge;

fig. 10A to 10D are a series of cross-sectional views of the base dome of a two-piece beverage container, modified at various stages to snap-engage to join a heater sleeve;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the base dome of a two-piece beverage container, in another embodiment, incorporating a heater sleeve using an adhesive;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the base dome of a two-piece beverage container, using a ferrule to incorporate a heater sleeve, in accordance with another embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a base-mounted, integrally formed heater module suitable for use in a two-piece aluminum beverage container, in accordance with another embodiment;

FIGS. 14A-14C are three steps of assembly of the integrally formed heater module of FIG. 13 with the terminals coupled to the CUI engaged therewith

FIG. 15A is an exploded view of the major components of a self-heating container system having a base-mounted CUI in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15B is an integrated diagram of the self-heating capacitor according to the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 15A;

FIG. 16 is a filled two-piece beverage container illustrating a cross-sectional view of an integrally formed heater module inserted into a base-mounted heater cartridge in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a filled two-piece beverage container illustrating a cross-sectional view of an integrally formed heater module inserted into a lid-mounted heater cartridge, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

The present invention relates to a stable, resiliently applicable self-heating packaging system. The structure and use of the preferred embodiments will be discussed in detail below. It should be appreciated, however, that the present invention provides many applicable inventive concepts that can be embodied in a wide variety of different environments in addition to devices for heating food and beverages. Accordingly, the specific embodiments discussed are merely illustrative of specific ways to make and use the invention, and do not delimit the scope of the invention.

In addition, the following terms have the relevant meanings when used herein:

by "integrally formed heater module" is meant a single, generally columnar structural unit that may incorporate: a fully integrated solid state heater device, an embedded twist start zone mechanism, and a single alignment feature to uniquely and properly orient itself in a heater sleeve;

"heater sleeve" means a deep-draw tubular structure having a closed bottom end and an open top end to accommodate insertion of an integrally formed heater module;

"Consumer interface" or "CUI" means an externally accessible structure and device whereby a user can manipulate or activate the self-heating package;

by "container" is meant and includes any receptacle (container) that can receive or carry material, including, but not limited to, a can, box, bowl, bottle, or other receptacle.

"heater" means and includes any device in which reactants react to generate heat.

As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, many of the self-heating packaging elements are depicted herein, and not every individual and all elements required for complete functionality are described. In each case, the description is intended to show functional aspects of the heater to better understand the invention, and should not necessarily be construed to encompass all elements of a complete operating device.

It should be noted that in the description and drawings, similar or substantially similar elements will be referenced with the same reference numerals. However, in some cases these elements may be labeled with different numbers, for example where such labeling aids in a clearer depiction. Additionally, the drawings set forth herein are not necessarily drawn to scale and, in some instances, proportions may have been exaggerated in order to more clearly describe certain features. Such labeling and rendering practices do not necessarily imply a fundamental, substantial purpose. The specification is intended to be treated as a whole and understood in accordance with the principles of the invention as taught herein and understood by those of ordinary skill in the art.

Referring to fig. 1 and 2, an assembly view and a cross-sectional view of an integrally formed heater module according to an embodiment of the present invention are shown, respectively. A separate heater cartridge 101 having an end cap 102 embedding the functional materials and components of the solid state heater.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the heater cartridge 101 with the base filled with a solid reaction mixture 201. Different solid state reactive chemicals can be used to provide a small, lightweight, powerful heat source. The energy content and heating rate can be configured by adjusting the mass or composition of the internal fuel mixture and using different quantity types or sizes. An example of a heat-generating formulation is a mixture comprising 15-25% aluminum and having a particle size of 2-30 microns, 20-30% silica, 25-45% alumina, and additives and reaction adjuvants such as potassium chlorate, calcium fluoride, and barium peroxide, although other formulations may be used.

To initiate the thermal reaction within the heater, the reactant mixture 201 may be ignited adjacent to its upper surface by various means known in the art, such as by a user applying force via some form of CUI to expel the reactive starting liquid from a bubble onto the reactive starting particles.

In the embodiment of the integrally formed heater module shown in fig. 1 and 2, compressive forces applied to the ends of the module do not activate the solid reaction mixture 201. Instead, by adding a start subassembly 103 to the end cap 102 of the integrated heater module 100, the twist to activate the heater start-up function is directly embedded into the integrated heater module. The torsion drive mechanism is integrated into the integrally formed heater module 100 and provides a stable interlock to avoid activation of the heater by accidental pressure during manufacturing assembly, shipping and handling operations, including high speed installation into filled self-heating packages.

Referring again to fig. 1, the cylindrical outer sleeve of the starting subassembly 103 has a helical beveled grooved channel which engages a guide pin 107 secured to a rotatable cam 108 located inside the sleeve 105. The projecting barb features 121 of the cylindrical outer sleeve 105 are disposed at a particular angle relative to the initial rest position of the rotatable cam 108, whereby this design provides a particularly good alignment of the integrally formed heater module 100 and heater cartridge when disposed.

In the assembled self-heating package, the notch feature 109 on the starting subassembly is mated with a user activated knife edge feature on the CUI (e.g., 702 of fig. 7), whereby when the CUI is rotated, the rotatable cam 108 will rotate together, resulting in a controlled displacement of the rotatable cam 108 in the direction of the end cap 102.

A reactive starter particle 202 is embedded in the upper surface of the compact solid reaction mixture 201 and a starter liquid-filled bubble 203 is located above the starter particle 202. In the pre-drive rest position, the piston head of a striker 204 passes through the center of the inner metal diaphragm 202 and is positioned a short distance from the upper surface of the compressible liquid-filled bubble 203.

Thus, when the user activates the CUI to rotate, the controlled displacement of the cam 108 is towards the heater cover, and the base of the cam pushes against one end of the striker 204, which protrudes through the aperture 102 in the end cap of the integrally formed heater module. The internally disposed opposite end of the plunger is immediately positioned adjacent the compressible bubble 203 and initiator pellet 202, thus initiating heater activation in response to the user's CUI operation.

For consumer safety, it is desirable to provide a reactive means of moderating the heating process to avoid overheating of the package assembly, or food or beverage product, and to protect the user from burns. Methods of achieving passive thermal control have been described in U.S. patent No. 9,500,389 entitled "thermally regulated self-heating vessel," and are equally applicable to the heater assemblies described herein by disposing a passive thermal control material adjacent to or in thermal contact with an integrally formed heater module reaction chamber.

Referring again to the embodiment of fig. 1, portions of the interior space 206 of the heater cartridge 101 may be filled with a passive thermal control material. In the case of internal superheating, the steam generated by the passive heat control material can escape from the heating package, while the majority of the energy is removed by the system to create a cooling effect.

For steam or other internal gases, the integrated heater module structure provides a removal gas flow. Referring again to fig. 2, the end cap 102 and internal metal spacer 220 include channels or vents that allow excess pressure to be safely and gently released when passive thermal control is activated. An exhaust passage may also be provided in the CUI. In addition to the passive thermal control material, the cartridge may contain a filter layer 205, which may be an insulating, odor absorbing material, particle filter layer, or thermal diluting material.

For the integral heater, gaseous byproducts are derived from the reaction zone, passing through the filter layer 205 and the passive heat control layer 206. To avoid the reactive gases from passing around the piston of the striker 204, the insulation, odor adsorbent, and passive thermal control material are tightly packed along their length. The seamless permeable polymer sheet 207 may in some embodiments act as the outermost insulator to create a one-way water-proof environmental seal while allowing the internal overpressure of the heater to vent.

Fig. 1 shows the mechanical structure of the embodiment, and fig. 2 provides a precisely controlled displacement and compression force and facilitates a highly reliable activation of the internal compressibility bubbles and the start-up particle mechanism. The activated compressive force is preferably initiated with the CUI located outside the package, transmitted via a series of superimposed mechanical elements. The slotted feature 109 of the rotatable cam 108 couples to the CUI without regard to dimensional variation tolerance, resiliency to the plastic formed CUI, or linear distance of the heater tube base relative to the lid seam edge. Thus, the controlled stack tolerance (stack up tolerances) for reliable activation can be integrated into a small amount of dimensionally controlled metal parts located adjacent the top end of the heater tube, thereby eliminating the dependency on the overall length variation of the heater tube.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the inner metal spacer 220 establishes a close datum (close datum) for stack tolerance, and the striker 204 is comprised of a piston fixed to a spring plate, allowing simple fine-tuning of stroke length and activation force.

Fig. 3 shows different features of one embodiment of a heater sleeve, including a cylindrical tube wall region 301 housing the heating length of the integrally formed heater module, a transition region 310 housing the section of its rotational drive mechanism, and a terminal flange 302. The form of the terminal flange 302 may be varied to suit the method used to incorporate the heater sleeve into the lid of the base or beverage container.

As also shown in fig. 3, two functional features are formed in the upper transition area 310 of the heater tube. A vertical groove 303, provided in the tube wall, can receive a matching alignment feature (e.g., protruding barb feature 121) on the integrally formed heater module, which when the two elements are assembled together, can pre-establish the preferred angular orientation. One or more recessed retention features 304 create an interference fit with the end cap 102 of the installed heater module to ensure that it does not easily fall out of the heater sleeve once installed.

Fig. 4A shows an exterior view of the integrally formed heater module of fig. 3 with the heater sleeve inserted. In FIG. 4B, the heater sleeve wall is transparentized to show the protruding barb features 121 and vertical grooves 303 respectively for respective engagement of the integrally formed heater module and the sleeve; and how the recessed retention features 304 of the heater tube extend through the end cap 102 of the integrally formed heater module to prevent the installed heater from falling out.

The heater cartridge may be optionally coupled to one of the lid or base of known two-piece or three-piece beverage containers, and thus, an integrally formed heater module may be provided that may be optionally mounted in one of the orientations depending on the preference of the beverage brand.

Considering the first cover mounting option, it is easiest to integrate the heater sleeve into a slotted cover by modifying a commercially available "lined shell". The liner shell is a mass-produced intermediate component that can be produced during the manufacture of standard beverage container ends, whose periphery incorporates the critical curl feature and requires sealing of the liner compound that is seamed to the can body; the unfinished center of which is a planar circular flat plate.

The liner shell, which meets beverage industry standards, has a wall thickness of less than 0.25 millimeters (mm) and, to be resistant to internal pressure, is constructed of a harder 5000-series aluminum alloy. However, for optimum performance of the deep draw heater cartridge of the present invention, mechanical or thermal properties may be required that cannot be readily achieved by an aluminum end stock of standard beverage specifications.

For example, to provide uniform heat distribution along its length, the wall thickness may be between 0.5-1.0mm, and more preferably the deep draw heater sleeve is formed from a more flexible 3000 series aluminum alloy.

Most directly, the heater sleeve and inner liner shell assembly are manufactured separately; they must then be joined by suitable means that produce a gas-tight sealed joint that must meet stringent food and beverage safety standards. Typically, known double-seamed rollers may be used to connect the seamable end points to the food or beverage container. However, standard tools for double crimping are applied to the peripheral boundary of the connection portion and are not suitable for connection with the heater sleeve to form an internal sealed connection.

Aerosol container bonding is an engineering solution for commercial container products to join two cylindrical container assemblies. Aerosol bonding is suitable for joining metal sheets of different thicknesses and provides excellent high pressure sealing. The aerosol crimping operation does not require rotation of the parts to be joined. The typical application is to crimp an aerosol spray valve until a particular form of crimped edge is formed near the open neck of the container, but this design approach may also be applied to certain food and beverage applications.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a seamable end shell of a frangible beverage container lid, modified to fit connection with the heater sleeve shown in fig. 3. The seamable end point has a peripheral curl 501 formed around its perimeter. The curled inside bottom is lined with a sealer material in the form of a mating surface designed to sew over a can hook feature near the open neck of the unseamed container body.

When applied to the lid of a two-piece can, the seamable end points integrated into the heater sleeve must also incorporate some physical means to open the container to access the heated beverage contents. In fig. 5, a modified inner liner shell is provided with breakable sealed pour apertures 502 and air vent 503 near the periphery to assist in pouring the beverage. With these features, the tightness and volumetric efficiency of the connection formed by the aerosol crimp is an important advantageous feature because of the limited surface area of the lid between the seamable edge and the heater sleeve flange wall.

The modified inner liner shell of fig. 5 has a large circular opening in its center, the peripheral boundary of which has been preformed with a crimping flange 504. In the embodiment of fig. 4, the crimped flange 333 of the heater sleeve is also a pre-configured structure for aerosol crimping for attachment to a container. The two preformed portions are stacked for crimping. A collet mandrel is then introduced through the neck to unfold (flare out) the potted liner wall of the innermost heater sleeve assembly, attaching it tightly to the bead of the liner shell.

Fig. 6 shows the assembly of the cylindrical heater sleeve of fig. 4 to the seamable outer end housing of fig. 5. Double rolled seamed containers are known which can be used to seal this assembly to the top of a filled beverage container can to provide a gas tight seal, followed by installation of the integrally formed heater module, followed by the appropriate CUI.

The typical CUI is in the form of a specially designed plastic cap device which is clamped to the edge of the can body; a pour aperture 703; and may include a plurality of structural features molded on its upper, lower, and sidewalls to achieve different functions. The CUI may be injection molded from polypropylene or other food and polymer that is useful in providing thermal insulation between the heated metal container surface and the consumer of the hot beverage contents.

Depending on the heater mounting configuration, alternative designs of different user interfaces may be subsequently applied to complete the complete package and customize the user experience. One of the main functions of the CUI is to provide a means for a user to activate the heater. In a lid-on embodiment, in addition to activating the heater function, the CUI typically may also include features that break the closure of the sealed package, such as a pour aperture. Various forms of breakable sealing and means of opening the container have been described in U.S. patent No. 10,058,209. To properly operate such features, the correct exact angular orientation must be established between the vertical groove 303 and the pour aperture when the heater sleeve is added to the modified liner shell.

Fig. 7A and 7B show top views of the seamable lid tube of fig. 6 engaged with a filled beverage container that has been inserted into an integrally formed heater module (fig. 7A), adjacent an inverted CUI (fig. 7B). For a lid mounted heater, the structural features on the lower surface of the CUI are: an undercut lip 701 for snap-fitting to a seamed peripheral bead around the top of the can body; and, a mechanical blade structure 702 to activate the heater, which is inserted into a slotted feature 109 in the internal rotating cam assembly of the activation subassembly on the opposite side. This combination allows the CUI to rotate the cam, similar to a screwdriver rotating a straight screw. This mechanism effectively eliminates the concerns of vertical stacking with respect to dimensional tolerance or CUI elasticity and its coupling to the seamed edge of the can body.

Fig. 8 is an exploded view of the major components of the complete self-heating container system of the present invention. The illustrated embodiment includes: the lid mounted CUI 700, the seamable end points and attached heater sleeve 600, the integrally formed heater module 100, and the known container body 800, on which other components may be assembled.

This embodiment of the invention shows a mode whereby the self-heating function can be integrated into a two-piece aluminum can, the most widely used form of metal packaging for beverage applications.

The heater socket and the integrally formed heater module may also be mounted to the base of a beverage container in a manner that has certain advantages, such as the use of a standard pull tab on the top of the container, advantageously allowing the heater container to be manufactured with known filling and seaming operations.

Fig. 9 shows an integrally formed heater module 901 in an domed base 902 of a two-piece beverage container 900. The heater sleeve geometry can be formed directly into the base of the two-piece beverage container, but in practice this is more easily achieved for three-piece containers using a modified seamable base end.

As shown in fig. 10A, the bases of the two-piece beverage containers each have a dome shape 902 to withstand internal pressure, which must be considered in designing the engagement means for the heater sleeve. With appropriate adjustment, aerosol bonding may be employed to join a specially formed heater tube to the thin-walled container base of a two-piece aluminum can. FIGS. 10A-10D show a series of stages for achieving this.

Fig. 10B shows a modified aluminum container base with a perforation tool making a hole in the dome base followed by a wiping tool forming a straight collar for subsequent formation of a bead 904 in the container base as one side of the aerosol joint. The heater sleeve and a mating crimping flange are made with a sealing/gasket material applied to the bottom of the crimp. Stacking the edges of the two preformed portions and introducing a collet mandrel through the neck to unfold the potted liner wall of the innermost heater sleeve assembly, affixing it tightly to the bead of the liner shell.

To successfully perform the aerosol bonding technique to bond the heater tube to the metal package requires careful consideration and adjustment of sufficient performance requirements, such as: ensuring that the protective coating is not damaged, the pressure inside the package, any heat treatment protocol, and the detailed geometry of the packaging components to which the heating tube is to be joined.

Since the beverage container wall thickness is thicker than the heater sleeve, the latter becomes the primary seal geometry around which is a full 360 degree bead 906, as shown in FIGS. 10C and 10D, to achieve the inner tube mating formation function to optimize the geometry collapse in terms of tube strength. A thick walled heater tube can withstand the powerful die crimping and therefore the die crimping operation is a suitable alternative to using a standard expansion collet.

FIG. 11 shows another embodiment of a top of an arch that attaches the heater sleeve to the container using a thermally stable food grade adhesive. The container bottom is perforated with a flat punch that preserves the dome base 902 geometry and forms the flange 933 on the heater sleeve, contoured to match the dome size, in order to maximize the degree and strength of the engagement. Fig. 12 shows yet another embodiment in which a collar 977 and a snap ring 978 are used to create a strong mechanical engagement between the flangeless heater sleeve 955 and the dome base 902 of the canister. An adhesive sealant is applied to seal the joint.

The base of the two-piece container does not have a seamable edge for the CUI to be clipped on. Thus, in this embodiment, the integrally formed heater module and starting subassembly of fig. 13 and 14 integrates end cap flange 1402 and orientation feature 1403. The orientation feature fits into a recess in base-mounted CUI 1501 to provide better alignment. The flange 1402 may be grasped by the resilient fingers 1502 of the base-mounted CUI 1501. The one-way surface barbs on the locking ring 1401 made of stamped steel allow the integrally formed heater module to be fully inserted, then securely prevented from being accidentally or intentionally withdrawn.

Fig. 15 shows an exploded view of the main components of a complete self-heating container system with the heater sleeve and integrally formed heater modules in the base of the two-piece container body.

Fig. 16 and 17 show cross-sectional views of a filled two-piece beverage container, respectively, of an embodiment of the integrally formed heater module of the present invention inserted into a base-mounted or lid-mounted heater cartridge, showing how the module assembly allows the self-heating function to be alternatively integrated into one of the lid or base of the self-heating beverage container package, followed by application of an appropriate consumer user interface.

Although the present system and method have been disclosed in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that other embodiments are possible. While the foregoing discussion focuses on particular embodiments, it is understood that other configurations are contemplated. In particular, even though expressed herein as "in one embodiment" or "in another embodiment," these phrases are meant to refer to embodiment possibilities generally, and are not intended to limit the invention to these particular embodiment configurations. Such terms may refer to the same or different embodiments, and may be combined into a collective embodiment unless otherwise indicated. The terms "a", "an" and "the" mean "one or more", unless otherwise indicated. The term "connected" means "ac-connected" unless otherwise indicated.

Although a single embodiment is described herein, it will be apparent that more than one embodiment may be used in place of a single embodiment. Similarly, more than one embodiment may be described herein, but it will be apparent that a single embodiment may be substituted for a device.

In view of the wide variety of closure systems known in the art, the detailed embodiments are merely illustrative and should not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention. Rather, the claimed invention is to cover all modifications that are within the spirit and scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

None of the description in this specification should be read as implying that any particular element, step, or function is an essential element, which essential element must be included in the claims scope. The scope of the subject matter is defined only by the claims as issued and their equivalents. Other aspects of the invention described in this specification do not limit the scope of the claims unless explicitly recited.

To assist the patent office and any reader in interpreting the appended claims in relation to any patent approved based on the present invention, applicants intend to note that it is not intended that any of the appended claims or claim elements violate united states patent law 35 u.s.c.112(f), unless the word "means for …" (means for) "or" step for … "(step for)" is explicitly used in a particular claim.