Phase change and insulating properties container and method of use

Abstract

A container and method for cooling beverages to an acceptable consumption temperature and then for maintaining that beverage temperature for a sufficient time so as to allow the beverage to be consumed is provided. The container includes a beverage chamber for receiving a beverage therein which is defined by an open top, a lid for reversibly sealing the open top, and a beverage chamber side wall. The beverage chamber side wall has an inner wall, an outer wall and a bottom portion. A reservoir side wall is disposed surroundingly at a spaced relationship to the beverage chamber side wall so as to define a reservoir therebetween. A phase change material is disposed in the reservoir.

1 . A container for cooling beverages to an acceptable consumption temperature and then for maintaining that beverage temperature for a sufficient time so as to allow the beverage to be consumed, said container comprising: 
 a beverage chamber for receiving a beverage therein defined by an open top, a lid for reversibly sealing the open top, and a beverage chamber side wall, said beverage chamber side wall having an inner wall, an outer wall and a bottom portion;    a reservoir side wall disposed surroundingly at a spaced relationship to said beverage chamber side wall so as to define a reservoir therebetween; and    a phase change material being disposed in said reservoir.    
   
   
       2 . A container for cooling beverages as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said open top is internally threaded and said lid is externally threaded.  
   
   
       3 . A container for cooling beverages as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said open top is provided with an overhang which is sealed by said lid with friction.  
   
   
       4 . A container for cooling beverages as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said phase change material is comprised of a paraffin wax.  
   
   
       5 . A container for cooling beverages as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a second reservoir side wall disposed surroundingly at a spaced apart relationship to said first reservoir side wall so as to define a second reservoir therebetween.  
   
   
       6 . A container for cooling beverages as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein an insulative material is disposed in said second reservoir.  
   
   
       7 . A container for cooling beverages as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein said second reservoir is filled with a gas.  
   
   
       8 . A container for cooling beverages as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein said second reservoir is evacuated so to form a vacuum.  
   
   
       9 . A container for cooling beverages as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said phase change material changes from opaque to translucent within the acceptable consumption temperature range.  
   
   
       10 . A container for cooling beverages as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein an outer wall of said first reservoir side wall is printed with a design which is viewable when the beverage has reached the acceptable consumption temperature.  
   
   
       11 . A container for cooling beverages to an acceptable consumption temperature and then for maintaining that beverage temperature for a sufficient time so as to allow the beverage to be consumed, said container comprising: 
 an outer sleeve having an inner wall member, an outer wall member, and a bottom member;    a beverage chamber having a diameter smaller than said outer sleeve and being defined by a inner wall, an outer wall, and a bottom portion;    said beverage chamber being inserted into said outer sleeve, said outer sleeve being attached to said beverage chamber at a spaced apart relationship so to define a reservoir therebetween; and    a phase change material being disposed in said reservoir and having a phase change temperature at approximately the acceptable consumption temperature.    
   
   
       12 . A container for cooling beverages as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein said phase change material is comprised of a paraffin wax.  
   
   
       13 . A container for cooling beverages as claimed in  claim 11 , further comprising an insulative sleeve having a diameter larger than said outer sleeve, said outer sleeve being inserted into said insulative sleeve, said insulative sleeve being attached at a spaced apart relationship to said outer sleeve so as to define a second reservoir therebetween.  
   
   
       14 . A container for cooling beverages as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein an insulative material is disposed in said second reservoir.  
   
   
       15 . A container for cooling beverages as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein said second reservoir is filled with a gas.  
   
   
       16 . A container for cooling beverages as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein said second reservoir is evacuated so to form a vacuum.  
   
   
       17 . A method for cooling a hot beverage to an acceptable consumption temperature and then for maintaining the temperature within an acceptable consumption range which includes a container having a beverage chamber for receiving a beverage therein, a reservoir side wall disposed surroundingly at a spaced relationship to the beverage chamber so as to define a reservoir therebetween, and a phase change material being disposed in the reservoir for absorbing the heat from the beverage when it is above the acceptable consumption temperature and for returning the heat to the beverage when it is below the acceptable consumption temperature comprising the steps of: 
 allowing the container to reach equilibrium room temperature which is below a phase change temperature of the phase change material;    putting a hot beverage into the beverage chamber;    cooling the hot beverage by transferring heat to the phase change material so that it changes to a new phase from its original phase at room temperature;    waiting for the phase change material to change; and    replacing heat to the hot beverage by transferring heat from the phase change material as it changes back to its original phase.    
   
   
       18 . A method for cooling a hot beverage as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the change of phase of the phase change material is indicated by a change in color.  
   
   
       19 . A method for cooling a hot beverage as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the change of phase of the phase change material is indicated by a change in opacity.  
   
   
       20 . A method for cooling a hot beverage as claimed in  claim 17 , further comprising the step of consuming the beverage directly from the container.