APPARATUS FOR MAINTAINING A BEVERAGE AT AN APPROPRIATE CONSUMPTION TEMPERATURE
First Claim
1. An apparatus for maintaining a beverage at an appropriate consumption temperature, over a period of time, when substantially immersed in the beverage, the apparatus comprising:
- a phase change material with an effective solid-liquid phase change temperature substantially similar to the appropriate consumption temperature of the beverage, wherein the phase change material transitions between two modes;
a cooling mode, when the beverage temperature is greater than the effective phase change temperature, wherein the phase change material absorbs and stores thermal energy from the beverage to cool the beverage,a warming mode, wherein the phase change material releases thermal energy into the beverage to maintain the beverage at the appropriate consumption temperature;
a shell including a first segment and a second segment that are joined to substantially define a sealed cavity, wherein the phase change material is encased within the cavity, wherein the first segment further defines a recess, and wherein the first and second segments are substantially of a metal that conducts thermal energy between the beverage and the phase change material; and
wherein the first segment of the shell outwardly deforms substantially along the recess to accommodate an increased pressure in the cavity substantially before a rupture of the sealed cavity.
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Abstract
One embodiment includes an apparatus for maintaining a beverage at an appropriate consumption temperature, the apparatus comprising a phase change material and a shell. The phase change material transitions between two modes: a cooling mode, when the beverage temperature is greater than the effective phase change temperature, wherein the phase change material absorbs and stores thermal energy from the beverage to cool the beverage; and a warming mode, wherein the phase change material releases thermal energy into the beverage to maintain the beverage at the appropriate consumption temperature. The shell includes a first segment and a second segment that are joined to substantially define a sealed cavity, wherein the phase change material is encased within the cavity, wherein the first segment further defines a recess. The first segment outwardly deforms substantially along the recess to accommodate an increased pressure in the cavity substantially before a rupture of the sealed cavity.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. An apparatus for maintaining a beverage at an appropriate consumption temperature, over a period of time, when substantially immersed in the beverage, the apparatus comprising:
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a phase change material with an effective solid-liquid phase change temperature substantially similar to the appropriate consumption temperature of the beverage, wherein the phase change material transitions between two modes; a cooling mode, when the beverage temperature is greater than the effective phase change temperature, wherein the phase change material absorbs and stores thermal energy from the beverage to cool the beverage, a warming mode, wherein the phase change material releases thermal energy into the beverage to maintain the beverage at the appropriate consumption temperature; a shell including a first segment and a second segment that are joined to substantially define a sealed cavity, wherein the phase change material is encased within the cavity, wherein the first segment further defines a recess, and wherein the first and second segments are substantially of a metal that conducts thermal energy between the beverage and the phase change material; and wherein the first segment of the shell outwardly deforms substantially along the recess to accommodate an increased pressure in the cavity substantially before a rupture of the sealed cavity. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. An apparatus for maintaining a hot beverage at an appropriate consumption temperature between 125°
- and 155°
Fahrenheit, over a period of time, when substantially immersed in the beverage, the apparatus comprising;a phase change material with an effective solid-liquid phase change temperature substantially similar to the appropriate consumption temperature of the beverage, wherein the phase change material absorbs and stores thermal energy from the hot beverage to cool the beverage to the appropriate consumption temperature and then releases the stored thermal energy back into the beverage to maintain the beverage at the appropriate consumption temperature; a shell including a first segment and a second segment that are joined to substantially define a sealed cavity, wherein the phase change material substantially fills the cavity, wherein the first segment further defines a valley substantially along its length, and wherein the first and second segments are of substantially thin stainless steel sheet that conducts thermal energy between the beverage and the phase change material; and wherein the first segment of the shell outwardly deforms substantially along the valley to accommodate an increase in pressure in the cavity substantially before a rupture of the sealed cavity. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30)
- and 155°
Specification