DOUBLE-WALLED CROCKERY PROVIDED WITH A POUCH FILLED WITH PHASE-CHANGE MATERIAL

Abstract

Double-walled crockery comprising a first wall (610) to be heated or cooled, and a second wall (620), wherein between the first wall and the second wall is located a space (630) in which a pouch (640) filled with a phase-change material is accommodated, wherein the pouch is arranged against the first wall of the crockery and wherein a thermally insulating layer is present between the pouch and the second wall of the crockery.

Claims

1. Double-walled crockery comprising a first wall to be heated or cooled, and a second wall, wherein between the first wall and the second wall is located a space in which a pouch filled with a phase-change material is accommodated, wherein the pouch is arranged against the first wall of the crockery and wherein a thermally insulating layer is present between the pouch and the second wall of the crockery.

2. Crockery as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pouch is filled with phase-change material not accommodated in capsules.

3. Crockery as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pouch is glued against the first wall of the crockery.

4. Crockery as claimed in claim 1, wherein the thermally insulating layer is an air layer.

5. Crockery as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second walls are manufactured from ceramic material.

6. Crockery as claimed in claim 1, wherein the crockery comprises at least a first part of ceramic material and a second part of ceramic material, wherein the first part comprises the first wall and the second part comprises the second wall, and wherein the first part is attached against the second part such that they bound a closed space in which the pouch is accommodated.

7. Crockery as claimed in claim 6, wherein the first part and the second part are any of the following: an upper part of a plate and a lower part of a plate; an inner part of a cup and an outer part of a cup; an upper part of a spoon and a lower part of a spoon.

8. Crockery as claimed in claim 1, wherein the thermally insulating layer comprises an elastic pressing material configured to press the pouch against the first wall of the crockery.

9. Crockery as claimed in claim 8, wherein the elastic pressing material has a heat conduction coefficient of less than 0.9 W/(m.Math.K).

10. Crockery as claimed in claim 8, wherein the elastic pressing material is a foam.

11. Crockery as claimed in claim 2, wherein a high vacuum prevails in the filled pouch.

12. Crockery as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pouch is arranged against the first wall of the crockery such that a layer of the phase-change material has a thickness, in a direction transversely of the first wall of the crockery, of between 2 mm and 10 mm.

13. Crockery as claimed in claim 12, wherein the pouch filled with phase-change material releases per square centimetre of surface area a heat energy of between 50 joule and 200 joule.

14. Crockery as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first wall of the crockery is substantially flat, and wherein the pouch is arranged against a central part of the first wall such that a border part of the first wall is left clear.

15. Crockery as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first wall is bowl-shaped and wherein the pouch comprises a part formed in bowl shape which is configured to be arranged against the first bowl-shaped wall.

16. Crockery as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first wall is a wall to be heated and wherein the phase-change material has a melting temperature of between 40 C. and 65 C.

17. Crockery as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first wall is a wall to be heated and wherein the phase-change material has a melting temperature of between 65 C. and 95 C.

18. Crockery as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first wall is a wall to be cooled and wherein the phase-change material has a melting temperature of between 0 C. and 14 C.

19. Crockery as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pouch comprises a first and a second film, wherein the phase-change material is situated between the first and second films.

20. Crockery as claimed in claim 19, wherein the first film and second film of the pouch are at least 40 m thick.

21. Crockery as claimed in claim 19, wherein the first film and second film of the pouch comprise a welding layer and a barrier layer, wherein the welding layer of the first film is welded to the welding layer of the second film.

22. Crockery as claimed in claim 21, wherein the welding layer comprises polypropylene and the barrier layer comprises polyamide.

23. Crockery as claimed in claim 19, wherein the first film and/or the second film comprise a layer manufactured from aluminium.

24. Crockery as claimed in claim 8, wherein the elastic pressing material has a heat conduction coefficient of less than 0.5 W/(m.Math.K).

25. Crockery as claimed in claim 19, wherein the first film and second film of the pouch are between 50 m and 150 m thick.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0030] The above stated and other advantageous properties and objectives of the invention will become more apparent, and the invention better understood, on the basis of the following detailed description when read in combination with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0031] FIG. 1A shows a cross-section of an exemplary embodiment of an article of crockery, in particular a plate, provided with a pouch filled with phase-change material according to the invention;

[0032] FIG. 1B shows a simplified cross-section of an exemplary embodiment of an article of crockery, in particular a plate, provided with a pouch filled with phase-change material according to the invention;

[0033] FIG. 2 shows a simplified cross-section of an alternative exemplary embodiment of an article of crockery provided with a pouch filled with phase-change material according to the invention;

[0034] FIG. 3 shows a simplified cross-section of an alternative exemplary embodiment of an article of crockery provided with a pouch filled with phase-change material according to the invention;

[0035] FIG. 4 shows a simplified cross-section of an alternative exemplary embodiment of an article of crockery provided with a pouch filled with phase-change material according to the invention, wherein the first wall of the crockery is substantially flat and the pouch is arranged against a central part of the first wall;

[0036] FIG. 5 shows a cross-section of an alternative exemplary embodiment of an article of crockery provided with a pouch filled with phase-change material according to the invention, wherein the first wall of the crockery is bowl-shaped and the pouch comprises a part formed in bowl shape which is configured to be arranged against the first bowl-shaped wall; and

[0037] FIGS. 6A and 6B show simplified cross-sections of embodiments of double-walled crockery, wherein the crockery comprises a first pan and a second part of ceramic material.

DETAILED EMBODIMENTS

[0038] A first embodiment of an article of double-walled crockery provided with a pouch filled with phase-change material is illustrated in FIG. 1A. This is a double-walled article of crockery 100, more specifically a plate 100, comprising a first wall 110 to be heated or cooled and a second wall 120, wherein between first wall 110 and second wall 120 a space 130 is present in which a pouch 140 filled with a phase-change material 145 is accommodated. Pouch 140 is arranged against first wall 110 of the crockery and a thermally insulating layer 150 is present between pouch 140 and second wall 120 of the crockery. FIG. 1B shows a simplified view of the article of crockery 100 of FIG. 1A. and FIG. 1B shows in particular the part of crockery 100 indicated with the broken line border K in FIG. 1A. FIG. 1B shows the same elements as FIG. 1A, but now without these being linked to a specific type of crockery. It will be apparent to the skilled person that the elements and measures shown in FIG. 1B can be applied in different types and shapes of crockery, such as oven dishes, cups, dessert plates, soup bowls, dessert coupes, pizza plates, spoons and so on. In order to keep the figures as clear as possible, measures which are universally applicable in diverse types of crockery will be illustrated on the basis of figures similar to FIG. 1B. When determined measures apply only to specific types of crockery, this will be stated in the text.

[0039] FIGS. 1A and 1B show a first wall 110 and second wall 120 of the article of crockery 100, wherein walls 110, 120 are substantially parallel to each other. It will however be apparent to the skilled person that the principles of the invention can likewise be applied when walls 110, 120 are oriented in other manner relative to each other. Walls 110, 120 are shown for the sake of simplicity as flat walls. The skilled person will however appreciate that the principles of the invention can likewise be applied when walls 110, 120 have a different shape.

[0040] The phase-change material 145 used in pouch 140 can be any known phase-change material and, depending on the type of crockery, a specific phase-change material may be preferred to another phase-change material. A phase-change material may thus be selected for instance on the basis of the melting point thereof, since a higher or lower melting point can be advantageous for optimal heating or cooling of liquids or foods. Organic phase-change materials based on paraffins are particularly suitable for use in a pouch 140 filled with phase-change material 145 for use in double-walled crockery.

[0041] By providing phase-change material 145 in a pouch 140 the freedom of movement of phase-change material 145 in crockery 100 is limited by the pouch. Pouch 140 is embodied for instance in an elastically flexible material such that pouch 140 can also stretch when phase-change material 145 expands during transition from the one phase to the other, and such that pouch 140 becomes taut again when phase-change material 145 contracts during a reverse phase transition. Because pouch 140 is arranged against first wall 110, a better heat exchange is obtained between pouch 140 and the wall HO to be heated or cooled when compared to known applications of phase-change material in crockery wherein an insulating layer, such as for instance an air layer, is present between the phase-change material and the wall to be heated or cooled. Pouch 140 can moreover be positioned in advantageous manner against the first wall of the crockery, whereby a very targeted heal exchange can take place. In addition, a thermally insulating layer 150 is situated between pouch 140 and second wall 120 of the crockery. This thermally insulating layer 150 ensures that the amount of heat leaving the crockery via a path other than via first wall 110 is limited. This has the advantage that an efficient and targeted heat exchange can take place between the phase-change material and the first wall of the crockery and that second wall 120 of the crockery does not heat up unnecessarily, or only does so to limited extent. A first wall part of the pouch arranged against first wall 110 can be optionally elastic, while a second wait part of pouch 140 facing toward second wall 140 is preferably elastic and flexible. In another possible embodiment this second wall part of pouch 140 facing toward second wall 120 of the crockery is not elastic, but has a surface area such that an expansion of phase-change material 145 is possible. Thermally insulating layer 150 is shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B as a layer situated against second wall 120. Thermally insulating layer 150 can however also be situated closer to or against pouch 140. In an embodiment the whole space 130 between pouch 140 and second wall 120 is filled with a thermally insulating material, for instance air. This material, for instance air, then forms the thermally insulating layer. In the shown embodiment of FIG. 1A the double-walled crockery is for instance a plate 100, and the above stated measures ensure that first wall 110 of the plate, wherein the food is on the upper side of first wall 110, is kept warm or heated by means of pouch 140 located against the underside of first wall 110, while the second wall, for instance live bottom wall of the plate, remains cool so that it is possible to take hold of the plate by the bottom wall without the danger of burn injuries.

[0042] In a preferred embodiment of the double-walled crockery the pouch 140 is filled with phase-change material 145 not accommodated in capsules, whereby a more efficient contact surface can be obtained for heat exchange between phase-change material 145 in pouch 140 and the wall 110 of the crockery to be heated, when compared to crockery provided with phase-change material accommodated in capsules.

[0043] In a preferred embodiment of the double-walled crockery a high vacuum prevails in pouch 140 filled with phase-change material 145. A pressure of between 110.sup.1 and 110.sup.7 Pa then prevails in pouch 140. Because a high vacuum prevails in pouch 140, insulating air is prevented from being able to lodge between phase-change material 145 and the walls of pouch 140, or between different parts of phase-change material 145. Phase-change material 145 in vacuum pouch 140 is moreover protected from possible contaminants, possible degradation of the phase-change material, and igniting of phase-change material 145 is prevented by the high vacuum in the pouch.

[0044] In an exemplary embodiment of the double-walled crockery the pouch 140 is arranged against first wall 110 of the crockery such that the layer of phase-change material 145 has a thickness, as seen in a direction transversely of first wall 110 of crockery 100, of between 2 mm and 10 mm. The space 130 between first wall 110 and second wall 120 of the crockery is often limited. It is therefore advantageous, with the smallest possible quantity of phase-change material, to obtain the most efficient possible heat exchange which meets the requirements of a specific type of crockery. A layer of a suitable thickness can be selected depending on the type of crockery and on the desired heating or cooling of first wall 110.

[0045] In a preferred embodiment of the double-walled crockery the pouch 140 filled with phase-change material 145 releases per square centimetre of surface area a heat energy of between 50 joule and 200 joule, preferably of between 100 joule and 180 joule.

[0046] In a preferred embodiment the contact surface between first wall 110 and pouch 140 is larger than a third of the total outer surface of pouch 140. The contact surface between the first wall and the pouch is typically larger than 0.4 times the total outer surface of pouch 140, and for instance about half the total outer surface. This guarantees that the most efficient possible heat exchange can take place between pouch 140 and first wall 110, and the amount of heat released by pouch 140 in directions other than in the direction of first wall 110 is limited. The contact surface between first wall 110 and pouch 140 can be favourably influenced by providing a pouch 140 filled with phase-change material 145 of suitable thickness and/or by advantageous shaping of a part of pouch 140.

[0047] FIG. 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of the double-walled crockery wherein pouch 240 is glued against first wall 210 of the crockery. Pouch 240 can be held in different alternative ways in the position arranged against first wall 210. The advantage of holding pouch 240 in position is that movements of the crockery will have substantially no influence on pouch 240 and the position thereof against first wall 210. An efficient and targeted heat exchange between pouch 240 and first wall 210 of the crockery is thus possible in all conditions. Glueing pouch 240 against the first wall of the crockery results in a glue layer 241 between pouch 240 and first wall 210. The resulting glue layer 241 typically has a thermally insulating effect, though it typically insulates considerably less than air, and this glue layer 241 can be relatively thin.

[0048] In the embodiment of FIG. 2 thermally insulating layer 250 is an air layer present in space 250 between pouch 240 and first wall 210 of the crockery. As indicated above, air is a good thermal insulator and thermally insulating air layer 150 will ensure that the amount of heat leaving the crockery via a path other than via the first wall 210 to be heated is limited. This has the advantage that an efficient and targeted heal exchange can take place between phase-change material 245 and first wall 210 of the crockery and that second wall 220 of the crockery does not heat up in undesirable manner.

[0049] FIG. 3 shows in simplified manner a preferred embodiment of the double-walled crockery wherein thermally insulating layer 350 comprises an elastic pressing material 350 configured to press pouch 340 against first wall 310 of the crockery. As described above, thermally insulating layer 350 between pouch 340 and second wall 320 of the crockery has in the first place an insulating function which contributes toward a targeted and efficient heat exchange between pouch 340 and first wall 310 of the crockery. The elastic pressing material 350 in thermally insulating layer 350 moreover ensures that pouch 340 is held in position against first wall 310 of the crockery. Elastic pressing material 350 can thus be an alternative to glueing pouch 340 against the first wall as shown in FIG. 2. Both measures can however also be combined with each other in advantageous manner. Elastic pressing material 350 preferably has a heat conduction coefficient of less than 0.9 W/(m.Math.K), and more preferably of less than 0.5 W/(m.Math.K). Examples of elastic pressing materials 350 which can be used are wood, cork, polyethylene etc. It will however be apparent to the skilled person that other common elastic materials can also be used for the above described measure. The elastic pressing material preferably has a heat conduction coefficient which is lower than the heat conduction coefficient of the material of which the crockery consists, such as for instance chinaware, earthenware, metal or glass. Elastic pressing material 350 can also be a foam. The foam used preferably has a heat conduction coefficient of less than 0.5 W/(m.Math.K), more preferably of less than 0.3 W/(m.Math.K) and most preferably of less titan 1.5 W/(m.Math.K). Foam is light and the use of foam as elastic pressing material 350 will have a negligible effect on the overall weight of the crockery. It is hereby possible to avoid the crockery becoming too heavy, whereby it would no longer be easy to handle. Typical foams which can be used as elastic pressing material 350 are for instance PU foam, EVA foam or polystyrene foam.

[0050] FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the double-walled crockery wherein first wall 410 of the crockery is substantially flat and pouch 440 is arranged against a central part 411 of first wall 410 such that a border part 412 of first wall 410 is left clear. For the sake of clarity the reference numerals 411, 412 in FIG. 4 are placed at the upper side of first wall 410, although it will be apparent that pouch 440, central part 411 against which pouch 440 is arranged and the free border part 412 are situated against the underside of first wall 410. When the article of crockery is for instance a plate with a substantially flat, circular first wait 410, it is advantageous to arrange pouch 440 against central part 411 of first wall 410 since more food will come to lie hi the central part of the plate than at the border part of the plate, and it is therefore more useful to have the heat exchange take place at the centre of first wall 410. By leaving a border part 412 of first wall 410 clear the pouch 440 has the opportunity to stretch along first wall 410 from central part 411 to border part 412 when phase-change material 440 in the pouch melts. This avoids pressure being built up in space 430 between the first wall and the second wall of the plate. It is moreover more advantageous for the heat exchange with first wall 410 that pouch 440 stretches along first wall 410 instead of away from first wall 410.

[0051] In an exemplary embodiment of the double-walled crockery the first wall is a wall to be heated and the phase-change material has a melting temperature of between 40 C. and 65 C., preferably between 50 C. and 60 C. Phase-change material with such a melting temperature is highly suitable for use in crockery intended for hot foods. The foods will thus be kept at temperature without being cooked or fried any further. For other types of crockery wherein higher temperatures are desirable, such as for instance oven dishes, phase-change materials can be used with a melting point lying between 120 C. and 250 C. It will be apparent to the skilled person that the principles and measures according to embodiments of the invention can be applied for different types of phase-change material, wherein the melting temperature of the respective phase-change materials can vary from 40 C. to 300 C.

[0052] FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of the double-wailed crockery wherein first wall 510 of the crockery is bow l-shaped 531 and wherein pouch 540 comprises a part formed in bowl shape which is configured to be arranged against first bowl-shaped wall 510, 513, Because pouch 540 has a part formed in bowl shape, pouch 540 can be arranged in efficient manner against first wall 510, 513 of the crockery. In the case of a coffee or tea cup the pouch 540 with the part formed in bowl shape can for instance be arranged in advantageous manner simultaneously against a bottom part 513 of first wall 510 and against a standing side part 514 of the first wall. It will be apparent to the skilled person that the same principle can be applied for any random shape of first wall 510, wherein pouch 540 can have a wall part with a corresponding shape in order to guarantee good contact between pouch 540 and first wall 510.

[0053] In a preferred embodiment the contact surface between first wall 510 and pouch 540 is larger than a third of the total outer surface of pouch 540. The contact surface between first wall 510 and pouch 540 can be favourably influenced by providing a pouch 540 filled with phase-change material 545 of suitable thickness and/or advantageously shaping a part of pouch 540.

[0054] In an exemplary embodiment of the double-walled crockery the first wall 510 is a wall to be heated and phase-change material 545 has a melting temperature of between 65 C. and 93 C. preferably of between 70 C. and 80 C. Phase-change material 545 with such a melting temperature is highly suitable for use in crockery intended for hot beverages such as coffee, tea, drinking chocolate and soon.

[0055] In an alternative exemplary embodiment of the double-walled crockery the first wall 510 is a wall to be cooled and phase-change material 545 has a melting temperature of between 0 C. and 14 C., preferably between 4 C. and 8 C. Phase-change material 545 with such a melting temperature is highly suitable for use in crockery intended for cold dishes, such as ice creams, or for cold beverages.

[0056] In a preferred embodiment of the double-walled crockery the pouch 140 comprises a first and a second film, wherein phase-change material 145 is situated between the first and second films. The films of the pouch can comprise different materials just as long as the pouch has the necessary flexibility, elasticity and/or dimensions and the films can keep the phase-change material enclosed. The freedom of movement of the phase-change material in the crockery is thus limited by the pouch. It will be apparent to the skilled person that different materials meet the above stated requirements and that the films can for instance be made of different types of plastic or aluminium. Films moreover have the advantage that they can be laminated in advantageous manner, whereby different material properties can be combined in one film. The films can have one or more of the above described properties.

[0057] FIG. 6A illustrates a plate with an upper first part 601 substantially with the shape of a normal plate, against which a substantially flat round second lower part 602 is attached. First part 601 comprises first wall 610 and second part 602 comprises second wall 620. Pouch 640 is arranged, preferably substantially centrally, against an underside of first wall 610 of first part 601. The upper first part 601 is provided on the underside thereof with a round support edge 611 which makes contact with the surface on which the plate is placed. Provided on the inner side of support edge 611 is a support flange 612 against which a peripheral edge 622 of second part 602 is attached, for instance by glueing. When second part 602 is attached against first part 601, a space 630 in which a thermally insulating layer, for instance an air layer, is present lies between pouch 640 and second wall 620 of second part 602, FIG. 6B illustrates a similar article of crockery as that of FIG. 6A, with the difference that first upper part 601 in FIG. 6B has a substantially flat bottom side and is attached to an upper edge 622 of a second lower part 602. Second part 602 comprises second wall 620 and has a bottom edge 621 on which the plate is supported.

[0058] In other embodiments the first and the second wall can form part of one integrally formed double-walled piece which is finished with further parts so as to form the article of crockery. Note that the skilled person will appreciate that the variants shown in FIGS. 1A and 5 are typically also manufactured from two or more parts which are attached to each other so as to form a closed article of crockery in which the pouch is accommodated.

[0059] The skilled person will appreciate that the invention is not limited to the above described embodiments, and that many modifications and variants are possible within the scope of the invention, which is defined solely by the following claims.