Thermal barrier liner for containers

• US 8,448,809 B2
• Filed: 03/07/2011
• Issued: 05/28/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/15/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: MillerCoors LLC (Molson Coors Beverage Co.)
• Original Assignee: MillerCoors LLC (Molson Coors Beverage Co.)
• Inventors: Kelly, Jason Morgan
• Primary Examiner(s): Stashick, Anthony
• Assistant Examiner(s): POOS, MADISON LYNN
• Application Number:
  US13/042,112
• Publication Number:
  US 20110185764A1
• Time in Patent Office: 813 Days
• Field of Search: 220/62.12, 220/62.22, 220/592.01, 220/592.16, 220/592.17, 220/592.2, 220/592.26, 624/572, 624/573, 624/579
• US Class Current: 220/592.16
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 19/2288 with means for keeping liquid cool or hot
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 3/00 Packaging plastic material, semiliquids, liquids or mixed solids and liquids, in individual containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, or jars
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 17/4012 for opening partially by means of a tearing tab
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/18 providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient with thermal insulation B65D81/38; ice-boxes with cooling means F25D
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2303/0831 the liquid is disposed in the space between the walls of the container
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2303/0841 external to the container for a beverage, e.g. a bottle, can, drinking glass or pitcher
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2303/0843 on the side of the product
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2303/0845 below the product
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2303/085 Compositions of cold storage materials
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2331/805 Cans
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2331/809 Holders
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2331/81 Pitchers
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 3/08 portable, i.e. adapted to be carried personally
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 20/02 using latent heat
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 11/12 using changes in colour, translucency or reflectance
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 2207/08 with food recipients having temperature sensing capability

Abstract

A thermal barrier liner maintains a beverage within a container at a desired temperature. The liner may include a closed cell substrate, a base layer having gas or liquid filled microcapsules, a base layer having microencapsulated solid-liquid phase change material, or combinations thereof. In other embodiments, an integral cooling element incorporates solid/liquid phase change material. The cooling element can either be attached to the exterior of the container, the interior of the container, or free-floating within the container. Other embodiments include container holders or direct beverage holders incorporating phase change materials to control temperature of the beverages. The embodiments may further include thermochromatic ink to provide a visible color indication of temperature changes for the beverage.

Claims

1. An insulated beverage container comprising:

a sidewall, a base connected to the sidewall and a top forming an upper portion of the container;

a thermal barrier liner applied to an exterior surface of said sidewall, said thermal barrier liner comprising a base material and a plurality of microcapsules dispersed in said base material, said microcapsules containing phase change material therein, wherein the phase change material absorbs heat from a beverage within the container, and the phase change material changes phase from solid to liquid upon absorbing the heat;

a thermochromatic layer disposed either between the exterior surface of the container and the thermal barrier liner, or disposed above the thermal barrier liner attached directly to the exterior surface of the container, thereby exposing said thermochromatic layer;

said thermochromatic layer including a formulation of a thermochromatic material formed of micro capsules each containing reversible coloring agents that exhibit a visible change in color between a first color state and a second color state in response to a change in temperature.

2. The container, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said thermal barrier liner is substantially transparent or translucent enabling a consumer to view color changes of said thermochromatic layer.

3. The container as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said base material is made of a thermoplastic material that is elastic.

4. The container as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said base material is made of a varnish material.

5. The container as claimed in claim 1, wherein

said thermal barrier liner is made of a material that is elastic.

6. An insulated beverage container comprising:

a sidewall, a base connected to the sidewall and a top forming an upper portion of the container;

a thermal barrier liner applied to an exterior surface of said sidewall, said thermal barrier liner comprising a base material and a plurality of microcapsules dispersed in said base material, said microcapsules containing phase change material therein, wherein the phase change material absorbs heat from a beverage within the container, and the phase change material changes phase from solid to liquid upon absorbing the heat;

and a thermochromatic material incorporated directly within said thermal barrier liner, said thermochromatic material including micro capsules each containing reversible thermochromatic coloring materials that exhibit a visible change in material between a first color state and a second color state in response to a change in temperature.