Heating and cooling device with replaceable cartridge for beverage containers

Abstract

The present invention is a device releasably attachable to a beverage-containing can or bottle that is operable to selectively heat or cool a beverage dispensed from the container and through the device for consumption by an individual. The device includes an outer sleeve securable to the beverage container and an inner cartridge containing reactants utilized to generate an endothermic or exothermic reaction within the cartridge. The reaction created by the reactants heats or cools beverages dispensed from the container as the beverage flows through conduits disposed in thermal contact with the reactants that extend from a beverage inlet adjacent a lower end of the cartridge to a dispensing outlet adjacent an upper end of the cartridge. The device is removable from the container for use with additional containers, or for disposal and replacement of the cartridge within the sleeve after each use.

1 . A device for heating or cooling a beverage held within a container, the device comprising: 
 a) a first chamber disposed within the device;    b) a second chamber disposed within the device adjacent the first chamber;    c) a selectively openable closure disposed between the first chamber and the second chamber; and    d) at least one beverage dispensing tube extending through the second chamber and the first chamber.    
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the second compartment is engageable with a beverage container.  
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 2  wherein the second compartment includes a guide member operably connected to the at least one dispensing tube and extending outwardly from the second compartment and engagable within a dispensing opening of a beverage container.  
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the at least one dispensing tube extends through the second compartment in a non-linear direction.  
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 4  wherein the at least one dispensing tube extends through the second compartment in a helical direction.  
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the at least one dispensing tube extends through the first compartment in a linear direction.  
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising a closure actuator movably engaged with the device.  
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 7  wherein the actuator includes a portion disposed on the interior of the device and a portion disposed within the first compartment adjacent the closure.  
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising a sealing member on the device adjacent the second compartment that is sealingly engagable with the beverage container.  
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the first compartment and the second compartment are disposed within an inner member, and further comprising an outer sleeve positioned around the inner member.  
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 10  wherein the outer sleeve includes a container-engaging member at one end.  
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 11  wherein the container-engaging member is formed of an inwardly extending flange.  
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 1   1  wherein the container-engaging member is formed of a threaded collar.  
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 10  wherein the inner member is releasably secured to the outer sleeve.  
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 14  wherein the outer member includes a releasable locking member engagable with the inner member.  
   
   
       16 . The device of  claim 15  wherein the locking member includes an inwardly extending rib that is engagable with a securing rib on the inner member.  
   
   
       17 . A device for heating or cooling a beverage held within a container, the device comprising: 
 a) a first chamber disposed within an inner member;    b) a second chamber disposed within the inner member adjacent the first chamber;    c) a selectively openable closure disposed between the first chamber and the second chamber;    d) at least one beverage dispensing tube extending through the second chamber in a non-linear direction and through the first chamber; and    e) an outer sleeve positioned around the inner member.    
   
   
       18 . A method for varying the temperature of a beverage disposed in a beverage container, the method comprising the steps of: 
 a) providing a device including a first chamber disposed within an inner member, a second chamber disposed within the inner member adjacent the first chamber, a selectively openable closure disposed between the first chamber and the second chamber, at least one beverage dispensing tube extending through the second chamber in a non-linear direction and through the first chamber and an outer sleeve positioned around the inner member;    b) securing the outer sleeve of the device to the beverage container;    c) initiating an exothermic or endothermic reaction with the device; and    d) dispensing the beverage from the container through the inner member of the device.    
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising the step of removing the outer sleeve from the beverage container after dispensing the beverage.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising the steps of: 
 a) disengaging the inner member from the outer sleeve; and    b) engaging a replacement inner member within the outer sleeve.