Double-ended container

Abstract

A double-ended container includes an inner portion and an outer wall. The inner portion includes an inner wall in a closed form that encloses a central axis, an inner opening at a first end of the inner wall and an end cap integrally formed with the inner wall at a second end of the inner wall. The outer wall is in a closed form that encloses the inner portion and is integrally formed with the inner wall at a first end of the outer wall. The outer wall has an outer opening on a second end of the outer wall.

1 . A double-ended container comprising: 
 an inner portion that includes an inner wall in a closed form that encloses a central axis, an inner opening at a first end of the inner wall and an end cap integrally formed with the inner wall at a second end of the inner wall; and    an outer wall in a closed form that encloses the inner portion and is integrally formed with the inner wall at a first end of the outer wall, the outer wall having an outer opening on a second end of the outer wall.    
   
   
       2 . A double-ended container according to  claim 1 , wherein the second end of the inner wall is axially spaced from the first end of the inner wall in a direction that is opposite to the direction in which the first end of the outer wall is axially spaced from the second end of the outer wall.  
   
   
       3 . A double-ended container according to  claim 1 , wherein the inner portion and the outer wall are integrally molded in one piece in a material that includes one of polycarbonate, acrylic, polystyrene, SAN, ABS and glass.  
   
   
       4 . A double-ended container according to  claim 1 , wherein the inner portion and the outer wall are integrally molded in one piece in polycarbonate.  
   
   
       5 . A double-ended container according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a stabilizer in a closed form that encloses the inner portion and is integrally formed with the inner wall at a first end of the stabilizer, the stabilizer having a stabilizer opening on a second end of the stabilizer,    wherein the second end of the inner wall is axially spaced from the first end of the inner wall in a direction that is opposite to the direction in which the second end of the stabilizer is axially spaced from the first end of the stabilizer.    
   
   
       6 . A double-ended container according to  claim 1 , further comprising a stopper that is capable of sealing the inner opening to contain a liquid in a volume defined within the inner wall, the end cap and the stopper.  
   
   
       7 . A method comprising: 
 filling an inner portion of a double-ended container with a cold or hot solid and a heat transferring liquid, the inner portion including an inner wall in a closed form that encloses a central axis, an inner opening at a first end of the inner wall and an end cap integrally formed with the inner wall at a second end of the inner wall, the double-ended container further including an outer wall in a closed form that encloses the inner portion and is integrally formed with the inner wall at a first end of the outer wall, the outer wall having an outer opening on a second end of the outer wall;    sealing the inner opening with a stopper to hold a liquid in the volume defined within the inner wall, the end cap and the stopper;    inverting the double-ended container; and    filling the outer opening with a liquid.    
   
   
       8 . A method according to  claim 7 , wherein: 
 the cold or hot solid is ice, and    the heat transferring liquid is water.