Abstract
The invention relates to a packaging 1 having a plurality of material-tight separated chambers 2, 3, wherein the chambers 2, 3 contain different substances, and having at least one predetermined breaking point 4 that is formed between two adjacent chambers 2, 3 such that a break in the predetermined breaking point 4 enables a material exchange of the substances of chambers 2, 3 adjacent to the predetermined breaking point 4, wherein the packaging 1 further has a thermocouple 6 capable of being activated that causes an energy flow from or into at least one of the chambers in an activated state.
Claims
1. A packaging having a plurality of material-tight separated chambers, wherein the chambers contain different substances, and having at least one predetermined breaking point that is formed between two adjacent chambers such that a break in the predetermined breaking point enables a material exchange of the substances of chambers adjacent to the predetermined breaking point, characterized in that the packaging further has a thermocouple capable of being activated that causes an energy flow from or into at least one of the chambers in an activated state, wherein the chambers of the packaging are formed of a continuous film.
2. (canceled)
3. The packaging according to claim 1, characterized in that the predetermined breaking point consists of two film layers that detachably adhere to each other.
4. The packaging according to claim 1, characterized in that the thermocouple provides a heat-conducting surface that contacts the generated mixture.
5. The packaging according to claim 1, characterized in that a first chamber of the packaging contains a solid and a second chamber of the packaging contains a liquid, wherein a predetermined breaking point is formed between the first chamber and the second chamber.
6. The packaging according to claim 4, characterized in that the solid is dried milk and the liquid is water.
7. The packaging according to claim 1, characterized in that the thermocouple is energetically self-sufficient.
8. The packaging according to claim 1, characterized in that the thermocouple is a heating element that has a phase-change medium as well as an activation element.
9. The packaging according to claim 7, characterized in that the activation element is a leaf spring that can be actuated manually.
10. The packaging according to claim 1, characterized in that the thermocouple is of such a size that the mean temperature of the mixture generated is never above 37 C.
11. The packaging according to claim 1, characterized in that the thermocouple is present loose in one of the chambers.
12. The packaging according to claim 1, characterized in that the packaging has a hollow chamber for thermally insulating the packaging from the environment.
13. The packaging according to claim 1, characterized in that the packaging has a temperature indicator for indicating the temperature inside the packaging.
Description
[0028] In the following, the invention is explained in detail by way of examples shown in the drawings. Here:
[0029] FIG. 1 schematically shows a packaging according to a first embodiment;
[0030] FIG. 2 schematically shows a packaging according to a second embodiment;
[0031] FIG. 3 schematically shows a packaging according to a third embodiment;
[0032] FIG. 4 schematically shows a packaging according to a fourth embodiment;
[0033] FIG. 5 schematically shows a packaging according to a fifth embodiment; and
[0034] FIG. 6 schematically shows a packaging according to a fifth embodiment in a cross section A-A; and
[0035] FIG. 7 schematically shows a packaging according to a sixth embodiment.
[0036] FIG. 1 shows a packaging 1 according to the invention with a first chamber 2 and a second chamber 3 as well as a predetermined breaking point 4 that enables a fluid connection between the first chamber 2 and the second chamber 3 in the lower part of the packaging when this is broken by specifically applying force thereto. When breaking the predetermined breaking point 4 accordingly there is formed a new common chamber; mixing chamber 5 (not illustrated). Accordingly, now this consists of the first chamber 2 and the second chamber 3. Between the first chamber 2 and the second chamber 3 there are further a thermocouple 6 and an activation element 7. Here, the thermocouple 6 is to be an exothermic phase-change medium that crystallizes as a result of an activation by the activation element 7 and as a result releases heat to the first chamber 2 and the second chamber 3. In the case shown the activation element 7 is in the form of a leaf spring. It is further apparent from FIG. 1 that a solid 8 is present in the first chamber 2 and a liquid 9 is present in the second chamber 3. Both chambers separately lead to a common outlet 10 that is closed by screw cap 11.
[0037] For preparing the solid-liquid mixture now at first the predetermined breaking point 4 is broken and the solid 8 from the first chamber 2 is mixed with the liquid 9 from the second chamber 3. This way, a common chamber 5 is formed that contains a mixture, which can flow around or wet the thermocouple 6, respectively. Optionally, the mixture is shaken. The thermocouple 6 can be activated at any time during the preparation whereby heat is released. Generally, activation is after breakage of the predetermined breaking point 4 or at about the same time. Simultaneous shaking during heating results in an improved heating of the mixture due to better circumflow and turbulent heat transfer. As soon as the mixture has reached the desired mean temperature, the screw cap 11 is opened and the mixture is discharged from the packaging 1.
[0038] FIG. 2 corresponds to a somewhat simplified version of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1. Here, common outlet 10 and the screw cap 11 are not formed. For emptying the packaging 1 a periphery of the packaging is cut off or open and the mixture is taken out after the solid 8 has been mingled with the liquid 9. In order to visually determine the temperature there is further provided a temperature indicator 12 that by means of a temperature sensor 13 projecting into the first chamber depicts a visual signal that enables drawing conclusion about whether or not the desired temperature has been reached. In the example shown, the temperature sensor 13 is a fluid thermometer that is of such a size that when reaching a target temperature the expansion liquid colors an area on the display panel 14 of the temperature indicator. Of course, it is also possible to use a temperature indicator 12 with a non-contacting temperature sensor, for example with a temperature sensor that can be stuck on. This may be appropriate for reasons of hygiene.
[0039] FIG. 3 shows a somewhat modified embodiment of packaging 1. Here, the first chamber 2 and the second chamber 3 are arranged one above another and can be connected to each other to a common chamber 5 by a horizontally extending predetermined breaking point 4. Here, the thermocouple 6 is laterally arranged and extends over the overall height of both superimposed chambers. Preparation of the mixture is identical to the above-described procedure.
[0040] In FIG. 4 there is depicted a further simplified embodiment of the packaging 1 according to invention. Here, packaging 1 substantially consists of only one film that is sealed at its edges such that it is in the form of a pouch- or bag-like structure. Further, the packaging has a vertically extending predetermined breaking point 4 that extends along the overall height or length, respectively of the packaging 1. In this way, a first chamber 2 and a second chamber 3 are formed. The predetermined breaking point used for that is formed in that both film layers of the outer shell are detachably connected to each other at their inner sides. For detaching the predetermined breaking point, one of the chambers is pressurized whereby both detachably connected film layers again separate from each other and a common chamber 5 is formed. The packaging is heated or cooled by means of the thermocouple 6. Here, the thermocouple 6 is present in either chamber freely moveable or fixed on one side. The thermocouple is realized as a flat member in order to form a heat-conducting surface as large as possible. That is, to prepare the mixture, at first the predetermined breaking point 4 is detached, the thermocouple 6 is activated, and the mixture is heated during shaking. For taking out the mixture, the packaging is opened at any site. The thermocouple 6 can be reused.
[0041] Alternatively, the thermocouple 6 can also be housed in its own chamber, as illustrated for example in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6. Also here, the packaging 1 consists of two layers of a film that are sealed at their edges and detachably connected to each other along the predetermined breaking points 4. Due to the solid 8 being separated from the liquid 9 by two predetermined breaking points 4 undesired mixing by inadvertently detaching a predetermined breaking point 4 is minimized. In FIG. 6 this is made clear by a cross section along cut A-A. A further chamber is formed between the first chamber 2 and the second chamber 3 that encloses the thermocouple 6. Here, it is not necessary for the chamber to be larger than the thermocouple 6; the chosen illustration is only for graphic clarification. In order to obtain the desired preparation accordingly the two predetermined breaking points 4 have to be detached and the thermocouple 6 must be activated by means of the activation element 7. As soon as the predetermined breaking points 4 have been detached, the obtained mixture flows around the thermocouple at its heat-conducting surface. By providing a hollow chamber 16 heating efficiency can significantly be improved. Such a hollow chamber is schematically illustrated in FIG. 7, for example. By the presence of the hollow chamber heat transport between the chamber and the environment is always via the gas-filled cavity that surrounds the individual chambers of the packaging 1. Said transport is always less than the heat transport resulting from solid or liquid materials directly adjacent to the chamber, in particular when the gas in the hollow chamber 16 is gas of low heat conductivity, for example krypton or xenon.
LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS
[0042] 1 packaging [0043] 2 first chamber [0044] 3 second chamber [0045] 4 predetermined breaking point [0046] 5 mixing chamber [0047] 6 thermocouple [0048] 7 activation means [0049] 8 solid [0050] 9 liquid [0051] 10 outlet opening [0052] 11 screw cap [0053] 12 temperature indicator [0054] 13 temperature sensor [0055] 15 display panel [0056] 16 hollow chamber
