PORTABLE CONTAINER AND SYSTEM FOR HEATING FLUIDS

Abstract

A container and system for the mobile/portable heating of fluids is described. The container has an octahedral shape, including a pinched waist section. This pinched waist, along with the rounded corners at each edge of the octahedron, has a specific radius of curvature selected to maximize volumetric efficiency while still maintaining the ability to blow mold the container. One or more heating elements and attachment mechanism are also provided so that fluids in the container can be quickly and efficiently heated.

Claims

1. A molded polymeric container for holding fluids, the container comprising: an octahedral shape including front and back facings, a top including a neck opening with a radius, a bottom, and two opposing sidewalls wherein each sidewall has symmetrical and angled panels that connect at a pinched waist; wherein the octahedral shape includes eight discrete but substantially similar rounded corners defined by a radius of curvature; wherein the pinched waist includes a radius of curvature that is substantially similar to a radius of curvature of the rounded corners; and wherein the pinched waist defines a transverse length that is between 60% to 80% of a transverse length across the front facing at separate positions above and below the pinched waist.

2. The container of claim 1 wherein the octahedral shape is symmetrical about both a centerline axial plane and a transverse plane.

3. The container of claim 1 wherein the front and back facings are substantially similar.

4. The container of claim 3 wherein the front and back facings each have a radius of curvature that is at least five times larger than the radius of the neck opening.

5. The container of claim 4 wherein the radius of curvature of the front and back facings is between nine to ten times larger than the radius of the neck opening.

6. The container of claim 5 wherein radius of curvature of the pinched waist is between one quarter to one half of the radius of the neck opening.

7. The container of claim 1 wherein radius of curvature of the pinched waist is between one quarter to one half of the radius of the neck opening.

8. The container of claim 1 wherein curved transitional sections are interposed between the interfaces of at least one: the front facing and the sidewalls, the back facing and the sidewalls, the front facing and the top, the back facing and the top, the sidewalls and the top, the front facing and the bottom, the back facing and the bottom, and the sidewalls and the bottom.

9. A portable system for heating fluids comprising: the container of claim 1; at least one heating element provided as a pouch or cuboid having a transverse length that matches the transverse length of the pinched waist of the container; and an attachment mechanism configured to be seated on the pinched waist so as to hold the heating element along the front and/or back facings of the container.

10. A portable system for heating fluids comprising: the container of claim 6; at least one heating element provided as a pouch or cuboid having a transverse length that matches the transverse length of the pinched waist of the container; and an attachment mechanism configured to be seated on the pinched waist so as to hold the heating element along the front and/or back facings of the container.

11. The portable system of claim 10, wherein the attachment mechanism is one selected from: an elastic band, a belt, a cord, a string, or a zip tie.

12. The container of claim 1, wherein the octahedral shape is symmetrical about a centerline axial plane and a centerline transverse plane of the container.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Operation and further understanding of all the various aspects of this invention may be better understood by reference to the drawings, in which:

[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the container according to certain disclosed aspects.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a side plan view of the container of FIG. 1.

[0016] FIGS. 3A and 3B are, respectively speaking, top and bottom plan view of the container of FIG. 1, thereby highlighting the nature of the flattened sidewalls.

[0017] FIG. 4 is a three dimensional schematic view of the heating element, with the positioning of the elastic band shown, according to certain disclosed aspects.

[0018] FIG. 5A is similar to the view of FIG. 2 and FIG. 5B is similar to the view of FIG. 3A, both with indicators corresponding to the dimensional information found in Table 1.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0019] The following description and any reference to the drawings and claims are merely exemplary, and nothing should limit alternatives and modifications that may be possible while adhering to the spirit and scope of the invention. Also, the drawings form part of this specification, and any written information in the drawings should be treated as part of this disclosure. In the same manner, the relative positioning and relationship of the components as shown in these drawings, as well as their function, shape, dimensions, and appearance, may all further inform certain aspects of the invention as if fully rewritten herein.

[0020] As used herein, the words example and exemplary mean an instance, or illustration. The words example or exemplary do not indicate a key or preferred aspect or embodiment. The word or is intended to be inclusive rather an exclusive, unless context suggests otherwise. As an example, the phrase A employs B or C, includes any inclusive permutation (e.g., A employs B; A employs C; or A employs both B and C). As another matter, the articles a and an are generally intended to mean one or more unless context suggest otherwise.

[0021] The invention described herein comprises a container with a removable and resealable cap, connected by threads, snap-fittings, a living hinge, a tether, or other similar engagement mechanisms, with the cap potentially having tamper evidence and/or child resistant features. The shape of the container can conform to a heating element in two significant regards: 1) the front and back facings are smooth so as to maintain regular contact along a large surface area, and 2) the flat and angled sidewalls receive an attachment implement (e.g., an elastic band) while substantially eliminating most curvature, resulting in a sharper corner that is more volumetrically efficient. By coupling the heating element along most of the entire vertical facing, heating of the fluid occurs along a larger surface area represented by the front and/or back curved surfaces of the bottle (as compared to hot plates where heat transfer is necessarily limited to the comparatively smaller area of the container bottom). Also, by heating in a vertical plane, thermal energy can be distributed in a more efficient manner, insofar as the heat gradients and the action of gravity may induce natural mixing patterns without reliance on mechanical stirring.

[0022] With reference to FIGS. 1 through 3B, the container 10 includes an opening with a thread neck 12. A cap (not shown) may be affixed to the neck 12, thereby allowing the container to be filled and sealed immediately before use of the system.

[0023] The container 10 includes four major axial facings (front 20a, back 20b, and sidewalls 30a, 30b) along with a substantially flat bottom 13 and a top 11 configured to accommodate the aforementioned, protruding neck 12. When bisected along centerline transverse (or lengthwise) plane A-A, front and back facings 20a, 20b have identical, mirror-image three-dimensional shapes. When bisected along centerline axial (or widthwise) plane B-B, the sidewalls also have identical, mirror-image three-dimensional shapes. Notably, planes A-A and B-B will intersect along the central axis defining the height of the container and around which the container 10 can be rotated.

[0024] Facings 20 connected to side walls 30 (also identically formed) by way of transitional connectors 24. Connectors 24a are discrete curved wall sections that transition from the facings 20a, 20b to the sidewalls 30a, 30b. Similarly, connectors 24b span the facings 20 to the top 11 and connectors 24c serve a similar purpose with the bottom 13. Each of the curved connectors 24a, 24b, 24c connects to the major facings (front 20a and back 20b) to the sidewall facings 30a, 30b, top 11, or bottom 13 (respectively speaking).

[0025] Similarly, eight separate radiused corners or edges 27 are provided. The radius of curvature CCR of corners 27 will be approximately the same as the radius of curvature WCR at the pinched waist, which in each case is smaller than the radius along the inner diameter T of the container neck 12. In preferred aspects the curvature radii of corners 27 and waist 25 will be at least one quarter to one half of the diameter T, with specific and most preferred values shown in Table 1 below. Conversely, radii CCR and WCR will be significantly less than the curvature radii FCR of the front/back facings, typically by about an order of magnitude or more. As noted above, these comparatively small radii 27 enable better volumetric utilization of the container 10 while still residing within the ability to blow mold the container itself.

[0026] The sidewalls 30a, 30b should be comparatively flat, particularly in view of the bowed facings 20a, 20b (with reference to the top and bottom plan views), although the flattened section of sidewall will cover a surface and transverse width (i.e., the vertical run of the sidewalls as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B) is smaller than the inner diameter of the container neck. In fact, the curved transitional sections 24a on either side of the main flat sidewall could account for up to one half of the width (excluding the curvarture on the facings 20a, 20b). Notably, the opposing sidewalls are substantially symmetrical relative to one another and each sidewall has discrete top 31 and bottom 32 sections that join together at the pinched waist 25. This arrangement also helps to maximize volume while simplifying formation and location of the pinched waist, while the bowed facings facilitate blow molding and, to a lesser extent, injection or extrusion molding processes.

[0027] In some aspects, the sidewalls 30 could be slightly curved, so long as the shape of the front and back facings are exactly identical. In this manner, the side walls will still possess a smooth flat appearance along all horizontal planes from top to bottom.

[0028] The facings 20a and 20b should be smooth and capable of allowing a flexible heating element to conform easily thereto, without wrinkles or separation (as might be caused by a circular cylinder). As such, the surface and transverse lengths of the facings 20a, 20b provide significantly larger surface area for heating, making the container 10 ideal for combination with heating elements 40. Pinched waist 25 further facilitates positioning of the connection implement to hold the heating elements 40 securely in place.

[0029] The container 10 can be sterilized and packaged in a manner to preserve their integrity. However, moisture is not as significant of a concern, so there may not be a need to rely on the foil/moisture-proof packaging.

[0030] The container 10 may be formed as an integral element by way of a single step molding. High density polyethylene is particularly amenable to such manufacturing, and it exhibits appropriate chemical compatibility, heat transfer, and thermal tolerance to withstand the uses contemplated herein, although low density polyethylene may also be useful for its higher resilience. The cap/closure can be formed in the same manner and from the same or similarly moldable materials.

[0031] With reference to FIG. 4, heating element 40 may be formed as a pouch or cuboid from two similar shaped panels 41 sealed by sidewalls 42. In some aspects, these panels may be include their own pinched waist shape 45 for even better fit (and heat transfer) to the container 10. The panels 41 will be sized to conform to the peripheral edge of front and/or back facings 20a, 20b, thereby imparting an hour-glass or pinched waist shape, or the panels 41 may be essentially rectangular with a transverse length that is no smaller than the transverse length at the pinched waist 25.

[0032] In either instance, the pouch 40 encloses a plurality (i.e., at least two) compartments separated by a frangible element/seal. When the frangible seal is positioned at or near the pinched waist, the shape of the upper chamber coupled with the force of gravity funnels the reactants in the lower chamber to insure complete and efficient mixing and use (conversely, the flexible and resilient nature of the panels 41 and/or sidewalls 42 will allow a user to mix, knead, or otherwise work the contents of the compartments into a mixing zone. When broken, the frangible seal allows the components of each compartment to mix.

[0033] These compartments are filled with separate reactants specifically selected and sized to drive an exothermic (heating) or endothermic (cooling) reaction. Examples of common combinations include aqueous and/or saturated solutions including salts of acetates, chlorides, or sulfates (for heating) and ammonium salts (for cooling). The exterior of the pouch will be a durable yet flexible material, such as foil, polymer, or combination, while the inner seal is effectively a frangible dam or barrier that is designed to break when the pouch is flexed.

[0034] The panels of the pouch may be heated sealed at their edges while the reactants are positioned in between in order to create heating element 40. Alternatively, one or both sets of reactants may be pre-packaged in their own, individual frangible pouches or containers that are captured between the panels during the sealing process, as this arrangement eliminates the need for a separate frangible dam/seal inside the pouch. One or two sidewalls could be provided as part of the pouch, although this would increase the number of components and sealing/manufacturing steps.

[0035] The band or attachment mechanism 50 holds the element 40 to the container 10. Band 50 can be made from an elastic material, such as rubber or resilient woven fabrics, that is selected temporarily expand to fit over the bottle and heating elements. The resilient nature of the band 50 causes the element 40 conform to the bottle surfaces while remaining positioned proximate the pinched waist. In other aspects, the band 50 could be a cord, thread, or zip tie, all of which are capable of being tied or attached to constrict the heating element and container in the same manner as as an elastic band.

[0036] Turning to FIGS. 5A and 5B, the specific dimensions of the container embody a number of unique relationships, each of which helps to distinguish to the utility the mobile heating system contemplated herein. Particularly significant dimensions discovered and determined by the inventors include (but are not necessarily limited to): (i) radii of curvature for the corners 27 and the pinched waist 25 that are substantially similar (i.e., identical or within +/?5% or +/?10%) to one another, and all of which are between one quarter and one half of the inner diameter of the container neck 12; (ii) a radius of curvature for the front and back facings that are substantially similar and that is/are at least five time greater and, more preferably, between 9 to 10 times greater than one half the inner diameter of the container neck; (iii) a pinched waist whose tranverse length (straight line bisecting the middle of the interior container volume) is between 60% and 80% and, more preferably, between 65% to 75% of the corresponding transverse length at the largest/widest sections above and below the pinched waist; (iv) a transverse length for the container that is between one and a half and five times larger at any point (e.g., at the pinched waist or at the widest sections) and, more preferably, between two to two and three quarter times larger in comparison to the transverse depth/width (but excluding the width contributed by the radius of curvature imparted by the facings 20a, 20b, so that the outer diameter U of the neck 12 can serve as an approximation for this width); and (v) an axial height in the storage chamber that is five to eight times larger than the transverse depth/width. It will be noted, for purposes of this specification, that FIGS. 5A and 5B are drawn to scale relative to one another, and further dimensional information could be extracted from these drawings.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Selected, unitless dimensions of pinched waist container (see FIGS. 5A-5B) Description Ref. Length Front Facing (FF) total axial height C 6.17 FF inner axial height D 5.46 FF total transverse length top E 3.67 FF inner transverse length top F 3.14 FF total transverse length mid G 2.69 FF inner transverse length mid H 2.05 FF total transverse length bottom I 3.67 FF inner transverse length bottom J 3.14 FF axial shoulder (sh) top K 0.43 FF transverse shoulder top/bottom L 0.28 FF transverse shoulder mid M 0.35 FF axial shoulder bottom N 0.34 FF total axial height neck O 1.23 FF cap axial height P 0.94 waist to bottom Q 2.77 waist to FF inner top R 2.67 waist to top S 3.04 Neck inner diameter (i.e., 2 ? radius) T 1.00 Neck outer diameter U 1.18 Top total transverse length V 3.67 Top sh/sh transverse length W 2.80 Top sidewall sh curve X 0.36 Top FF sh curve Y 0.37 TF neck to sh Z 0.59 Raduis of curvature FF FCR 3.78 Radius of curvature waist WCR 0.38 Radius of curvature top/FF corners CCR 0.38 Maximum wall thickness 0.10

[0037] It will also be understood that the pinched waists 25, 45 enable elastic bands to be used with ease, meaning a user can comfortably and easily position the heating element(s) 40 and slip the band 50 around the container 10 and the element 40 so that the band naturally seats at the waist 25 without significant effort. Equally important, the waist 25 insures the combination remains in place and maintains good contact along the entire surface area of facing 20a and/or 20b (relative to panel 41). In contrast, conventional containers lacking the angled waist shown and contemplated herein may lead to the container 10 slipping out or to difficulties in establishing and maintaining good contact. Thus, it will be understood that the constricted (i.e., minimum) inner diameter of the mechanism or band 50 will be slightly larger than circumference of/at the pinched waist 25; however, the mechanism/band 50 will be sufficiently elastic to over the maximum circumference of the bottle above and/or below the waist 25 (or the mechanism 50 will be capable of being positioned as a single element at the waist 25 and then coupled or tied to itself).

[0038] With regard to the latter, the pinched waist 25, facings 20a, 20b, sidewalls 30a, 30b, top 11, and bottom 13 create an effectively octahedral container with eight discrete major surfaces (front, back, two on each side above and below the waist, the top and the bottom, although these may be connected at their various intersections by rounded shoulders and/or curving transitions). Further, the specific and nearly matching radii of curvature at the two pinched waist sites and the eight corners allow for volumetric efficiency, while the much larger radius of curvature (if present) for the major front and back facings still allows for blow molding and providing a surface to which the heating elements can easily conform. In total, these features enable a unique and novel structure that is ideal for use in heating fluids in a container that may be mass produced, disposable, optionally sterilized, and cost effective.

[0039] As contemplated herein, the radius of curvature is denoted as the radius of a circle that substantially conforms to the curve/curvature in question. Thus, with reference to FIG. 5A as one non-limiting example, the radius of curvature WCR for the pinched waist is the radius of the dotted line circle as shown. Similar circles or arcs are provided for the corners 27 (as CCR) and facings 20a, 20b (as FCR).

[0040] Although the present embodiments have been illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the foregoing detailed description, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to just the embodiments disclosed, and numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions are also contemplated. The exemplary embodiment has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments, but further modifications and alterations encompass the preceding detailed description. These modifications and alterations also fall within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.