Reagent mixtures for self-contained temperature-change container assemblies

Abstract

A container assembly heats or cools a product inside an inner container. An outer jacket at least partially surrounds the inner container, with a first internal volume and a second internal volume in the space between the outer jacket and the inner container. A first temperature-change reagent is contained inside the first internal volume, and a second temperature-change reagent is held in the second internal volume, with a reagent separator between the two. Several penetrators are disposed to penetrate the reagent separator to produce openings through the separator and through which the two reagents can mix. Steel wool inside the first internal volume acts as a steam condenser. The outer jacket includes a jacket top ring secured around an upper surface of a standard can, a jacket body secured to the jacket top, and a flexible jacket bottom that carries several spikes molded onto the jacket bottom.

1 . A self-contained, temperature-change container assembly comprising: 
 an inner container;    an outer jacket at least partially surrounding the inner container, wherein a first internal volume and a second internal volume are defined between the inner container and the outer jacket;    a first temperature-change reagent inside the first internal volume;    a second temperature-change reagent inside the second internal volume;    a reagent separator between the first internal volume and the second internal volume; and    a movable member situated opposite the reagent separator,    wherein movement of the movable member opens the reagent separator to allow mixing of the first and second temperature-change reagents in a reagent mixing region inside the outer jacket;    wherein the first temperature-change reagent includes a solid material, and the second temperature-change reagent includes liquid water; and    wherein the first-temperature change reagent includes a first portion that is at least partially covered by a non-water soluble inert material that inhibits a chemical reaction between the first and second temperature change reagents, and a second portion that is not at least partially covered by the inert material, and wherein the first and second portions are intermixed with one another inside the first internal volume.    
   
   
       2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first temperature-change reagent includes calcium oxide and the inert material includes mineral oil.  
   
   
       3 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the weight of the first portion of the first temperature-change reagent is between 15% and 90% of the total weight of the first temperature-change reagent, each said weight measured exclusive of the weight of the inert material.  
   
   
       4 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the weight of inert material used with the first portion of the first temperature-change reagent is between 1% and 20% of the total weight of the first and second portions of the first temperature-change material measured exclusive of the weight of the inert material.  
   
   
       5 . A reagent combination for use in a self-contained temperature change container assembly, the combination comprising: 
 a solid first temperature change reagent; and    liquid water as a second temperature change reagent;    wherein the first temperature change reagent includes a first portion that is at least partially covered by a non-water soluble inert material that inhibits a chemical reaction between the first and second temperature change reagents, and a second portion that is not at least partially covered by the inert material, wherein the first and second portions are intermixed with one another.    
   
   
       6 . The reagent combination of  claim 5 , wherein the first temperature-change reagent includes calcium oxide and the inert material includes mineral oil.  
   
   
       7 . The reagent combination of  claim 5 , wherein the weight of the first portion of the first temperature-change reagent is between 15% and 90% of the total weight of the first temperature-change reagent, each said weight measured exclusive of the weight of the inert material.  
   
   
       8 . The reagent combination of  claim 5 , wherein the weight of inert material used with the first portion of the first temperature-change reagent is between 1% and 20% of the total weight of the first and second portions of the first temperature-change material measured exclusive of the weight of the inert material.