Self-cooling container for liquids

Abstract

Disclosed are self-cooling pouches useful as containers for beverages and other liquids. Such pouches comprise a porous matrix as an element of the pouch body to effect the cooling of the pouch and a liquid contained therein by pervaporation of the liquid.

1 . A drinking pouch comprising: 
 a pouch body adapted to act as a reservoir, comprising one or more walls, wherein at least a portion of said one or more walls comprises a porous matrix that allows for the passage of vapor from a liquid contained within the pouch body such that pervaporation or evaporation of the vapor cools the liquid contained within the pouch body; and a port through which the pouch body may be filled with liquid.    
   
   
       2 . A drinking pouch according to  claim 1  wherein the porous matrix comprises a membrane.  
   
   
       3 . A drinking pouch according to  claim 1  wherein the porous matrix comprises a porous sintered matrix.  
   
   
       4 . A drinking pouch according to  claim 1  wherein the porous matrix comprises a laminate comprising a hydrophobic outer layer and an inner layer which functions as a liquid barrier.  
   
   
       5 . A drinking pouch according to  claim 4  wherein the hydrophobic outer layer is pleated.  
   
   
       6 . A drinking pouch according to  claim 1  further comprising a drinking tube extending through the pouch body and in fluid communication with the interior of the pack such that liquid contained within the body can be consumed through the drinking tube.  
   
   
       7 . A drinking pouch according to  claim 6  wherein the drinking tube further comprises a valved spout.  
   
   
       8 . A drinking pouch according to  claim 1  wherein said porous matrix is fabricated from a polymer.  
   
   
       9 . A drinking pouch according to  claim 1  wherein said porous matrix is fabricated from polymer selected from the group consisting of polyethylenes, polypropylenes, ethylene copolymers, polymethylpentenes, polybutylenes, and blends thereof.  
   
   
       10 . A drinking pouch according to  claim 1  wherein said porous matrix is fabricated from a polymer selected from the group consisting of polytetrafluoroethylene, polyvinylfluoride, polyvinylidinefluoride, polyethylenetetrafluoroethylene, fluorinated ethylene propylene, polyperfluoroalkoxyethylene, polyvinylchloride, chlorinated polyvinylchloride, polyvinyldichloride and blends thereof.  
   
   
       11 . A drinking pouch according to  claim 1  wherein said porous matrix is fabricated from a blend of a fluorinated additive with a non-fluorinated plastic resin.  
   
   
       12 . A drinking pouch according to  claim 1  wherein said porous matrix is fabricated from a silicone polymer or fluorosilicone polymer.  
   
   
       13 . A drinking pouch according to  claim 1  wherein said porous matrix has a thickness of 0.025 to 7.0 mm.  
   
   
       14 . A drinking pouch according to  claim 1  wherein said porous matrix has pore size of 0.1 to 100 μm  
   
   
       15 . A drinking pouch according to  claim 1  wherein said porous matrix has percent porosity of 10 to 90%.  
   
   
       16 . A drinking pouch according to  claim 1  wherein said portion of said one or more walls is 5 to 100% of the total area of said pouch body.  
   
   
       17 . A drinking pouch according to  claim 1  wherein said porous matrix is comprised of hollow or expanded particles, which are fused or adhered together to reduce the thermal conductivity of the porous matrix.  
   
   
       18 . A drinking pouch according to  claim 4  further comprising a middle layer disposed between the inner layer and the outer layer.  
   
   
       19 . A drinking pouch according to  claim 18  wherein the middle layer comprises a sponge or sponge-like material.  
   
   
       20 . A drinking pouch according to  claim 1  wherein said porous matrix comprises a first surface and a second surface and wherein at least a portion of the first surface is hydrophobic and at least a portion of the second surface is a hydrophilic.  
   
   
       21 . A drinking pouch according to  claim 20  wherein the porous matrix is oriented such that said hydrophobic portion of the first surface faces the exterior of the pouch body.  
   
   
       22 . A drinking pouch according to  claim 20  wherein the porous matrix is oriented such that said hydrophobic portion of said first surface faces the interior of the pouch body.  
   
   
       23 . A drinking pouch according to  claim 20  wherein said portion of said second surface is rendered hydrophilic by a process selected from the group consisting of plasma etching, chemical etching, impregnation with wetting agents, and application of hydrophilic coatings.  
   
   
       24 . A drinking pouch according to  claim 1  further comprising at least one strap which functions as a holder for the pouch.