Thermal receptacle with phase change material

Abstract

A liquid receptacle for rapidly lowering the temperature of a liquid contained therein to a warm range suitable for human contact and maintaining the liquid in the warm range for an extended period of time includes an inner vessel with an open upper end and a closed lower end and a wall connecting the upper and lower end. An insulated outer shell is spaced from the inner vessel to define an interstitial chamber between the inner vessel and the outer shell. A phase change material occupies the chamber and regeneratively absorbs thermal energy from the liquid to cool the liquid and then releases the thermal energy back to the liquid to maintain the temperature of the liquid.

1 . A liquid receptacle for rapidly lowering the temperature of a liquid contained therein to a warm range suitable for human contact and maintaining the liquid in the warm range for an extended period of time, said receptacle comprising:
 an inner vessel having an open upper end and closed lower end and a wall connecting said upper end and said lower end;   an insulated outer shell spaced from said inner vessel defining an interstitial chamber therebetween; and   a phase change material disposed within said chamber for regeneratively absorbing thermal energy from the liquid and then releasing the thermal energy to the liquid to maintain the temperature of the liquid.   
     
     
         2 . A receptacle according to  claim 1  wherein said outer shell has an inner surface and an outer surface; and
 said upper end of said inner vessel is in sealing engagement with said inner surface of said outer wall. 
 
     
     
         3 . A receptacle according to  claim 1  wherein said inner vessel is formed from a material having a thermal conductivity greater than 150 Watts/meter-degree Kelvin. 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . A receptacle according to  claim 1  wherein said outer shell comprises an inner layer and an outer layer with an evacuated void therebetween for vacuum insulating said outer shell. 
     
     
         6 . A receptacle according to  claim 1  wherein said outer shell comprises a layer of insulating foam. 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . A receptacle according to  claim 1  wherein said outer shell is plastic. 
     
     
         9 . A receptacle according to claim wherein said outer shell is stainless steel. 
     
     
         10 . A receptacle according to  claim 1  wherein said phase change material is selected from the group consisting of naturally occurring fatty acids. 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A receptacle according to  claim 1  wherein said phase change material is palmitic acid. 
     
     
         13 . A receptacle according to  claim 1  wherein said receptacle is a mug for receiving a hot beverage. 
     
     
         14 . A receptacle according to  claim 1  wherein said receptacle is a baby bottle. 
     
     
         15 . A receptacle according to  claim 1  wherein said receptacle is a carafe. 
     
     
         16 . A receptacle according to  claim 1  wherein said receptacle is a bath tub. 
     
     
         17 - 23 . (canceled)