WO1997038271A1

WO1997038271A1 - Combined valve cup and bottom assembly for self-cooling container

Info

Publication number: WO1997038271A1
Application number: PCT/US1997/005623
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mitchell J. Joseph
Original assignee: The Joseph Company
Priority date: 1996-04-04
Filing date: 1997-04-03
Publication date: 1997-10-16
Also published as: TR199801998T2; IL126417A0; CN1218552A; EP0892905A1; KR20000005211A; BR9711083A; CA2251176A1; AU2607697A; JP2000508418A; EP0892905A4

Abstract

A self-cooling container including a combined valve cup and bottom assembly (10) for securely engaging the HEU (16) to the can bottom where user activation occurs. The valve (22) is crimped directly into the valve cup (34) on the combined valve cup and bottom assembly. The HEU is then attached to the combined valve cup and bottom assembly of the present invention for cooling of the beverage as will be explained further herein. Preferably, the combined valve cup and bottom assembly is integrally attached to the body or side wall of the container, thereby forming a two-piece assembly. Alternatively, the combined valve cup, valve and bottom assembly is attached by crimping to the body or side wall of the container, thereby forming a three-piece assembly.

Description

COMBINED VALVE CUP AND BOTTOM ASSEMBLY FOR SELF-COOLING CONTAINER

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to self-cooling containers for cooling a product, such as a beverage, and more particularly to retention of heat exchange units in such containers.

Description of the Prior Art

It has long been desirable to provide a simple, effective and safe device which may be housed within a container, such as a beverage container, for the purpose of cooling a product, such as a beverage, on demand. Such self-cooling devices, even if effective, normally will cool the product with all of the attendant disadvantages thereof such as environmental hazard, bulkiness, expense and the like. Various types of devices have been developed to accomplish the desired self-cooling such as devices which rely on chemical endothermic and exothermic reactions, devices which require pneumatic circuits, devices using desiccant absorbing agents and water, and devices which rely on well-known electrical effects for both heating and cooling. Typical self-cooling devices known to Applicant for chilling beverages and the like are exemplified by U.S. Patent Nos. 2,460,765; 3,373,581 ; 3,636,726; 3,726, 106; 4,584,848; 4,656,838; 4,784,678; 5,214,933; 5,285,81 2; 5,325,680; and 5,331 ,817.

Self-cooling devices utilized in the prior art exemplified by the above-identified patents have generally been unsatisfactory. One of the problems associated with conventional self-cooling devices has been secure attachment of the heat exchange unit (HEU), particularly the valve assembly, to the container. In particular, the conventional means of attaching the HEU, including its valve, to the container typically requires some form of glue that requires expensive machinery to apply and must be leak proof and food grade compatible. Moreover, a typical HEU includes a separate valve cup for holding its valve, thereby further increasing the cost and complexity of the finished container. Consequently, some of the difficulties which have been encountered are that the devices ( 1 ) accidentally vent thus causing over pressurization of the container, (2) cannot be discharged, (3) are not retained in place after activation, 4) are ineffective, (5) cause leaks, and (6) are expensive to attach.

What is needed therefore is a device which securely engages the heat exchange unit, particularly the valve assembly, with the container and which is simple, effective and safe.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The preceding and other shortcomings of prior art products are addressed and overcome by the present invention which provides a self-cooling container including a combined valve cup and bottom assembly for securely engaging the HEU to the can bottom where user activation occurs. The valve is crimped directly into the valve cup on the combined valve cup and bottom assembly. The HEU is then attached to the combined valve cup and bottom assembly of the present invention for cooling of the beverage as will be explained further herein. Preferably, the combined valve cup and bottom assembly is integrally attached to the body or side wall of the container, thereby forming a two-piece assembly. Alternatively, the combined valve cup, valve and bottom assembly is attached by crimping to the body or side wall of the container, thereby forming a three-piece assembly. The foregoing and additional features and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the detailed description and accompanying drawing figures that follow. In the figures and the written description, numerals indicate the various features of the invention, like numerals referring to like features throughout for both the drawing figures and the written description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a self-cooling beverage container incorporating a combined valve cup and bottom lid assembly, with a valve assembly disposed within said valve cup and a heat exchange unit (HEU) attached to said assembly, in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of the combined valve cup and bottom lid assembly, with the valve assembly disposed within said valve cup and the HEU attached to said assembly, as illustrated in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is a view of the bottom lid of the combined valve cup and bottom assembly illustrated in FIG. 1 ; FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view of the HEU prior to being mounted to the combined valve cup and bottom lid assembly, with the valve assembly mounted in the assembly, as illustrated in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 5 is a detailed cross-sectional side view of the valve cup with the valve seated therein as illustrated in FIG. 1 ; FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a self-cooling beverage container incorporating a combined valve cup and bottom lid assembly, with a valve assembly disposed within said valve cup and a HEU attached to said assembly, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional side view of the combined valve cup and bottom lid assembly, with the valve assembly disposed within said valve cup and the HEU attached to said assembly, as illustrated in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the bottom portion of the combined valve cup and bottom lid assembly illustrated in FIG. 6; FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional side view of the HEU prior to being mounted to the combined valve cup and bottom lid assembly, with the valve assembly mounted in the assembly, as illustrated in FIG. 6; FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a self-cooling beverage container including the HEU mounted to the combined valve cup and bottom lid assembly illustrated in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 1 1 is a cross-sectional view of the HEU shown in FIG. 1 ; and FIG. 1 2(a) is a top view of the liner member of the HEU; and FIG. 12(b) is a side view of the liner member as illustrated in FIG. 1 2(a).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown generally a self-cooling container 1 2 incorporating a combined valve cup and bottom lid assembly 10, with a valve assembly 20 disposed within said valve cup 34 (shown in detail in FIG. 5) and a heat exchange unit (HEU) 16 attached to said assembly. Referring now more specifically to FIG. 2, the container 1 2 including the HEU 1 6 mounted therein is illustrated in detail. As is therein shown, the top end of the HEU 1 6 is mated to the combined valve cup and bottom lid assembly 10 of the container 1 2. In accordance with an advantage of the present invention, with the HEU 1 6 mounted in this configuration, the need for specially designed filling apparatus or methods is eliminated. The container 1 2 designed in accordance with the present invention is virtually transparent during the bottling process, thus allowing use of conventional beverage filling apparatus. In accordance with another advantage of the present invention, the combined valve cup and bottom assembly 10 securely retains the HEU 1 6 and the valve assembly 20 to the container 12, without the need for adhesives or expensive machinery.

The self-cooling container 1 2 holds a product (not shown), such as beer, soft drinks, fruit drinks and the like, constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. For illustrative purposes, the present invention is illustrated and described herein using a conventional beverage container. The present invention may be implemented in both conventional and specially designed beverage containers. The present invention is not limited, however, to providing self-cooling for beverage- type containers. Rather, the present invention may be used to provide self-cooling for a variety of different applications, including but not limited to cooling beverage, food, chemical and industrial containers of various sizes and shapes, as well as conventional refrigeration systems.

As is shown in FIG. 1 , the HEU 1 6 is disposed inside the container 1 2, preferably crimped onto the combined valve cup and bottom lid assembly 10 of the present invention for cooling of the beverage as will be explained further herein. The valve cup and bottom assembly 10, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 9 and described herein, shown mounted to the bottom lid 1 4 of the container 1 2, may alternatively be adapted to be mounted to another portion of the container 12, such as a top or side portion. Moreover, the present invention is not however limited to the HEU described herein or any related reference. Rather, the present invention may be utilized to securely retain any conventional heat exchange unit disposed in a container type device.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the HEU 1 6 includes a chamber 1 8 and actuator subassembly (not shown) which as explained in detail below, mates with a valve assembly 20. The valve assembly includes a valve 22 having a valve stem 24. The chamber 1 8 contains one or more gases which is employed to cool the beverage and is contained under pressure in a compressed or liquefied state. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the mixture of the gases will vary depending on various factors, including but not limited to the degree of cooling that is desired, the nature of the gas, the pressure in the HEU 1 6, and the size of the container with which the HEU 1 6 is used.

As is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the valve assembly 20 is initially mounted on the valve cup 34 of the combined valve cup and bottom assembly 10. The HEU 16 is then attached to the outer perimeter of the valve cup 34. When disposed in the valve cup 34, the valve assembly 20 interacts with the actuator subassembly on the HEU 1 6 for actuating the HEU 1 6. The valve cup 34 and the bottom lid 14, which is integrally connected to the container 1 2, form a two-piece assembly 1 0. When the valve assembly 20 is reciprocated axially, the valve assembly 20 will open and close to allow the gas to discharge through the valve stem 24. The valve stem 24 is substantially tubular in construction and protrudes axially through the combined valve cup and bottom lid assembly 10 on one end and cooperates with the valve 22 on the other end.

Referring now more specifically to FIGS. 2 and 3, the combined valve cup and bottom lid assembly 10 is illustrated in detail. The bottom lid 14 of the container 1 2 is integrally formed with the side walls 26 of the container 1 2 and is preferably manufactured from aluminum, although other materials including but not limited to steel may be used as well.

As is shown in detail in FIG. 5, the valve cup or inner receiving portion 34 of the bottom portion 14 includes an aperture 28 defined in the center portion thereof for receiving a portion of the valve stem 24. As shown in detail in FIG. 3, the aperture 28 includes an inner support ring 30 disposed concentric with the valve stem 24 such that it surrounds and encloses the portion of the valve stem 24 which protrudes from the bottom portion 14. The support ring 30 may be conventional ring, such as an elastomeric ring or gasket. Alternatively, the aperture 28 may include an integrally formed inwardly extending lip which is rolled or curled during fabrication to provide a rounded guide for the valve stem 24.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the inner receiving portion 34 extends in a generally longitudinal direction (relative to the longitudinal axis of the valve stem 24) from the aperture 28, along the shoulder portion 30 of the valve 22. The inner receiving portion 34 then extends in a direction parallel with the valve stem 24 and along the body portion of the valve 22, thereby forming a seat for the valve 22 to be mounted thereto. With a cylindrically shaped valve, the inner receiving portion 34 is preferably cylindrically shaped as well. The particular dimensions of the inner receiving portion or valve cup 34 will therefore be defined by the particular geometry of the valve assembly 20 including the valve 22 and valve stem 24. The inner receiving portion 34 then extends in an outwardly latitudinal direction (relative to the longitudinal axis of the valve stem 24), in a direction parallel with the valve stem 24 and then continues in a latitudinal direction extending away from the center portion of the bottom portion 14, forming a shoulder portion 36 and outer periphery of the inner receiving portion 34 from which the HEU 1 6 is crimped thereto.

The shoulder portion 36 then extends latitudinally away from the center before forming an annular ridge 38. From the annular ridge 38, the bottom portion 14 is integrally formed with the side walls 26 of the container, which when combined with the valve assembly 20, integrated and mounted thereto, forms the combined valve cup and bottom lid assembly 1 0 of the present invention. The valve assembly 20 is preferably secured to the inner receiving portion 34 of the container 1 2 by crimping. In particular, the shoulder and body portions 30 and 32 of the valve 22 are crimped onto outer periphery of the inner receiving portion 34 by conventional means during the fabrication process. Alternatively, the valve assembly 20 may secured to the bottom portion 14 by other means, such as adhesion, welding, snap fit, and the like. It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that any adhesive which can be utilized to adhere the valve assembly 20 to the inner receiving portion 34 is compatible with the various coatings that are internally in the container 1 2 and the product, e.g. beverage, contained within, thus ensuring that there is no organic or toxic contamination insofar as the product is concerned.

The bottom lid 14 of the container 1 2, which is fully integrated with the body or side walls 26 of the container 1 2, is preferably manufactured from the same material as the container 1 2. Since most conventional containers are constructed from aluminum, the bottom lid 14 is typically constructed from aluminum as well. It will be skilled by those skilled in the art that other materials, such as steel, may be used as well. The valve stem 24 and valve 22 are preferably manufactured from polyester (PET), although other types of plastic, including but not limited to polypropylene, polyethylene and nylon and the like may be used. One skilled in the art will additionally appreciate that the dimensions of the bottom lid 14 and the valve assembly 20 will vary depending on various factors, including but not limited to the size of the HEU 1 6 and the dimensions of the container 1 2 the HEU 1 6 is designed to cool.

As is shown in FIG. 4, the body portion 1 7 of the HEU 1 6 includes a downwardly descending portion 40 ending in an outwardly extending lip 42 for securing the HEU 16 to the valve cup and bottom assembly 10 of the present invention. In particular, the lip 42 of the HEU 1 6 is secured to the shoulder portion 36 of the inner receiving portion or valve seat 34 of the combined valve and bottom assembly 1 0 preferably by crimping. Alternatively, other means of retaining the HEU 16 to the combined valve cup and bottom assembly 10, such as clamping, welding, snap fitting, adhesion may be used as well. The extending lip 14 is preferably manufactured from the same material as the container 1 2 and/or the HEU 1 6, although other materials, such as aluminum or steel may be used as well. Referring to FIGS. 6 through 9, an alternative embodiment of the combined valve cup and bottom assembly 50 for retaining the HEU 1 6 is illustrated therein. As is shown in detail in FIG. 6, the assembly 50 is crimped to the body or side walls 52 of the container 54, rather than integrally formed as shown in FIGS. 1 through 5, thereby forming a three- piece assembly 50. Referring now more specifically to FIGS. 7 and 8, the combined three-piece valve cup and bottom portion assembly 50 is illustrated in detail. In accordance with the present invention, the valve cup 56 of assembly 50 is configured the same as the valve cup 34 of assembly 10. From the outer perimeter 58 of the valve cup 56, at the shoulder portion 74, the bottom lid 68 extends in a generally latitudinal direction 60, then in a generally longitudinal direction upwards 62 and in a generally latitudinal direction downwards 64, terminating in a retaining lip 66 for securing the bottom lid 68 onto the side wall 26 of the container 1 2 preferably by crimping although other methods such as seaming may be used as well. The valve cup 56, bottom lid 68 and container 54 together form a three-piece assembly 50 which securely retains the valve assembly 20 and the HEU 1 6 in place in accordance with the present invention.

As is shown in FIG. 9, the body portion of the HEU 1 6 includes a downwardly descending portion 40 ending in an outwardly extending lip 42 for securing the HEU 1 6 to the valve cup and bottom lid assembly 50 of the present invention. In particular, the lip 42 of the HEU 1 6 is secured to the shoulder portion 74 of the inner receiving portion or valve seat 56 of the combined valve and bottom lid assembly 50 preferably by crimping. Alternatively, other means of retaining the HEU 1 6 to the combined valve cup and bottom lid assembly 50, such as clamping, welding, snap fitting, adhesion may be used as well. The extending lip 42 is preferably manufactured from the same material as the container 1 2 and/or the HEU 1 6, although other materials, such as aluminum or steel may be used as well.

Referring to FIGS. 10-1 2, operation of the HEU with the assembly 10 is illustrated and described herein. Operation of the HEU with assembly 10 is for illustrative purposes only. The same operational conditions apply for assembly 50. Referring to FIG. 1 0, as is well known in the art, the conventional beverage container 1 2 shown in FIG. 1 includes a body portion 1 20, a top portion 1 1 8 and a bottom portion 1 1 4. The top portion 1 18 includes a lid 1 1 2 with a pull tab. The container 1 2 is disposed in an inverted or upside down position for activation, includes a heat exchange unit (HEU) 1 6 mounted to the assembly 10 for facilitating cooling of the beverage as will be explained further herein. As is therein shown, the top end of the HEU 1 6 is mated to the combined valve cup and bottom lid assembly 10.

By referring now more particularly to FIG. 1 1 , 1 2(a) and 1 2(b), a more detailed illustration of the HEU 1 6 is provided. As is therein shown, the HEU 1 6 includes a chamber 128, liner member 134 and actuator subassembly 144. The chamber 128 contains a gas 1 30, preferably a liquid gas, which is employed to cool the beverage 126 and is contained under pressure in a compressed or liquefied state. A variety of gases may be used, including, but not limited to, isobutane, propane, carbon dioxide, CFCs, HCFCs, and the like. The preferred gas 1 30 employed to cool the beverage 1 26 is HFC 152A (difluoroethane), typically stored at a pressure of 85 p.s.i.a. at 75 degrees F. A gas mixture which may be used to cool the beverage 1 26 is a mixture of butane and HFC 1 34A (tetraf luoroethane) in a ratio of 60:40 (butane:HFC 134A) . Alternatively, the chamber 1 28 may contain a compressed gas 1 30 such as air, carbon dioxide, an air/CO₂ mixture or the like. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the mixture of the gases will vary depending on various factors, including but not limited to the degree of cooling that is desired, the nature of the gas 1 30, the pressure in the HEU 1 6, and the size and shape of the container with which the HEU 1 6 is used.

As is illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 1 1 , the chamber 1 8 is enclosed by a base 1 31 , top end 1 56 and wall 1 32. The HEU 1 6 absorbs heat from the beverage 1 26 through the wall 132 which is preferably manufactured from a heat conducting material such as aluminum. Alternatively, the HEU wall 132 may be manufactured from a plastic material, such as polycarbonate, polyethylene and polyester and the like.

Referring now more specifically to FIGS. 12(a)-1 2(b), the liner member 134 is illustrated in further detail. As will further be noted and hereinafter more fully described, the liner member 134 increases the effective heat transfer surface, thereby isolating the evaporation process and reducing the time for the gas to evaporate. As a result of this process, the time required for the heat transfer process is decreased, thereby allowing for more effective cooling of the product. As is therein shown, the liner member 134 is disposed concentric with the HEU wall 1 32 and surrounds the inner surface 1 36 of the HEU wall 1 32 to facilitate the flow of gas 1 30 throughout the HEU 1 6. The liner member 134 is preferably manufactured from a material, such as polypropylene, which can be wetted by the liquid gas 1 30 to increase the flow of gas 1 30 between the liner member 1 34 and the wall 1 32 of the HEU 1 6. Other plastics, including, but not limited to, polyester (PET) and the like may be used as well.

The liner member 1 34 includes a plurality of ribs 1 38 spaced along the outer surface 140 of the liner member 1 34 to form a plurality of channels 42 along the inner surface 1 36 of the HEU wall 1 32. The channels 142 extend substantially from the base 1 31 to the top 1 56 of the HEU 1 6. In the preferred embodiment, the ribs 1 38 are disposed substantially vertically, that is, substantially perpendicular to the base 1 30 of the HEU 1 6. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the ribs 1 38 may be disposed in alternative configurations to provide for effective cooling of the beverage 1 26. For example, the ribs 1 38 may alternatively be spiraled to form a series of channels which are spiraled along the length of the wall 1 32 of the HEU 16.

Typically, each rib 1 38 extends from the liner member 1 34 approximately 0.02 inch (0.51 mm) and is approximately 0.02 inch (0.51 mm) in width, and the liner member 1 34 is approximately 2.23 inches (56.6 mm) in height and has a length sufficient to engage the entire inside surface of the HEU wall 1 32. The ribs 1 38 are preferably spaced approximately 10 degrees apart, thus creating a liner member 1 34 containing approximately 1 36 ribs. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize that the dimensions of the ribs 1 38 and channels 142 will vary depending on factors, including but not limited to the dimensions of the HEU 1 6 in which the liner member 1 34 is used and the dimensions of the container 1 2 the HEU 1 6 is designed to cool.

To activate the HEU 16, the container is inverted or disposed upside down as is illustrated in FIG. 10 and the HEU 1 6 is activated via the portion of the valve stem 24 which projects axially beyond the assembly 10 of the container 1 2. Once the HEU 1 6 has been activated, the pressure on the liquefied gas 1 30 in the chamber 1 28 decreases which causes the liquefied gas 1 30 to flow into the bottom 1 31 of the chamber 1 28. The initial heat transfer between the beverage 1 26 and the liquefied gas 130 occurs within the plurality of channels 142. Heat from the beverage 1 26 is absorbed by the liquefied gas 1 30 through the wall 1 32 of the chamber 1 28 as the liquefied gas 1 30 vaporizes by means of adiabatic expansion. As the temperature of the liquefied gas 1 30 increases, the liquefied gas 1 30 begins to boil causing bubbles which are pumped upward into the channels 142. This boiling action thus propels the liquefied gas 1 30 upward into the channels 1 42 and causes virtually the entire interior surface area of the HEU wall 132 to be bathed with liquefied gas, even as the liquefied gas 1 30 level drops down to small amounts. For example, even when the level of the liquefied gas 1 30 drops to a quarter of an inch, the liquefied gas 1 30 will continue to be pumped up and bathe virtually the entire interior surface area of the HEU wall 132. Further exposure of the upward flowing liquefied gas 1 30 to the heat exchange surface of the chamber 128 causes the liquefied gas 130 to boil off. This progressive boiling and propagation of the liquefied gas 1 30 insures that the entire interior surface of the wall 1 32 and the base 131 of the chamber 1 28 is bathed with liquefied gas 1 30. The liner member 1 34 thus increases the effective heat transfer surface, thereby isolating the evaporation process and reducing the time for the gas to evaporate. As a result of this process, the time required for the heat transfer process is decreased, thereby allowing for more faster cooling of the product. Normally, when a pressurized container containing a liquefied gas is allowed to vent to atmosphere, liquefied gas will evaporate. During and after the time it self cools to a new temperature corresponding to its new vapor pressure, it absorbs heat from its surroundings. This heat causes the liquefied gas to evaporate. Self cooling also generates some gas. After self cooling takes place, all the gas that is generated is a result of heat being transferred through the skin of the container from its surroundings. The rate at which heat transfers into the container determines the rate at which gas is generated. Since vapor has such a poor coefficient of heat, the only surface which has effective heat transfer is the portion of the surface which is in contact with the liquefied gas. As evaporation continues, the liquefied gas level decreases in the container, thus the rate at which heat can be transferred decreases. Where the pressurized container is inside a beverage container surrounded by the beverage, there is a portion of the surface on the side of the pressurized container in contact with the beverage where little heat transfer is taking place because evaporated gas is immediately on the other side of the skin of the container.

In accordance with an advantage of the present invention, by incorporating the liner into the pressurized container, essentially the entire surface area on the sides can be kept to transferring heat until nearly all the liquefied gas has been evaporated. Since evaporation can only occur where the required heat is available, evaporation on the sides will only occur in the vertical channels. The gas that is generated forms bubbles which travel up the channels to the top. When they burst, the gas collects in the top of the container and eventually exits out the valve opening to the atmosphere. As the gas bubbles travel upward, they carry liquefied gas with them, thus keeping the entire side wall bathed with liquefied gas regardless of the liquefied gas level in the container. The entire side of the wall remains effective throughout the heat transfer process. As liquefied gas evaporates, it is replaced by liquefied gas flowing into the bottom of the channels. The net result is a significant decrease in the time required to chill the beverage.

In accordance with an advantage of the present invention, when a mixture of gases is desired, the present invention does not require the gases to azeotrope because of the local agitation that occurs. In other words, as a result of the bubbling which occurs and the isolation of the evaporation process, a mixture of gases will still evaporate and maintain their initial percentages throughout the evaporation process without having to be azeotropic. In operation, the valve stem 24, when reciprocated axially will open and close the valve 22 to allow the gas to discharge through the stem 24.

For activation of the HEU 1 6, the container 1 2 is as illustrated in FIG . 10, inverted or positioned upside down, such that the assembly 10 of the container 12 is exposed for activation.

In a typical operation, when the valve 22 is closed, i.e., when an elastomeric ring or gasket covers the openings in the valve stem 24, the chamber 1 28 is sealed and neither the liquefied or evaporated gas 1 30 can escape from the HEU 16. When the actuator mechanism is activated, it contacts the valve stem 24 and causes the valve stem 24 to move upwardly relative to the elastomeric ring. Valve designs are also possible wherein the actuator mechanism causes lateral displacement of the stem 24 in the gasket which allows gas to flow. When the stem 24 is moved up, the openings are no longer blocked by the elastomeric ring or gasket and fluid communication is established between the gas in the chamber 1 28 and the axial passageway in the stem 24. Thus, upward movement of the stem 24 releases the pressure in the chamber 1 28 and allows the gas 1 30 to expand and evaporate and evaporative cooling occurs in the HEU 16. The HEU 1 6 absorbs heat from the beverage through the external wall of the HEU 16 which is preferably formed from a heat conductor like aluminum. The gas 1 30 flows through the passageway and is ultimately exhausted from the container 10 through the opening produced by valve stem 24.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to what has been shown and described hereinabove, nor the dimensions of sizes of the physical implementation described immediately above. The scope of the invention is limited solely by the claims which follow.

Claims

1 5 WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1 . A self-cooling container apparatus having a top, body and bottom portion for holding a medium to be cooled, comprising: a heat exchange unit for cooling said medium; a valve assembly including a valve and valve stem; and a retaining assembly, comprising: a bottom connected with said container; and an inner receiving portion disposed centrally on an inner side of said bottom assembly, said inner receiving portion including an aperture centrally disposed, wherein said inner receiving portion retains said valve and said valve stem protrudes through said aperture.

2. The apparatus claimed in claim 1 , wherein said inner receiving portion is integrally connected with said container.

3. The apparatus claimed in claim 2, wherein said heat exchange unit further comprises: a liner disposed concentric and inside said wall of said heat exchange unit for facilitating flow of gases throughout said heat exchange unit.

4. The apparatus claimed in claim 2, wherein said aperture includes an inner support ring disposed concentric with said valve stem such that it surrounds and encloses the portion of said valve stem which protrudes from said bottom.

5. The apparatus claimed in claim 4, wherein said ring is an elastomeric ring.

6. The apparatus claimed in claim 2, wherein said aperture further comprises: an integrally formed inwardly extending lip which is rolled during fabrication to provide a round guide for said valve stem.

7. The apparatus claimed in claim 2, wherein said inner receiving portion extends in a generally longitudinal direction, relative to a longitudinal axis of said valve stem, from said aperture, along a shoulder portion of said valve, said inner receiving portion then extending in a direction generally parallel with said valve stem and along a body portion of said valve, thereby forming a seat for said valve to be mounted thereto.

8. The apparatus claimed in claim 7, wherein said inner receiving portion extends in an generally outwardly latitudinal direction, relative to said longitudinal axis of said valve stem, in a direction generally parallel with said valve stem and then continues in a generally latitudinal direction extending away from a center portion of said bottom, forming a shoulder portion and outer periphery of said inner receiving portion from which said heat exchange unit is attached thereto.

9. The apparatus claimed in claim 8, wherein said shoulder portion extends generally latitudinally away from said center portion before forming an annular ridge, and from said annular ridge said bottom is integrally formed with side walls of said container, which when combined with said valve assembly, integrated and mounted thereto, forms said apparatus.

10. The apparatus claimed in claim 9, wherein said valve assembly is preferably secured to said inner receiving portion of said container by crimping.

1 1 . The apparatus claimed in claim 1 0, wherein shoulder and body portions of said valve are crimped onto an outer periphery of said inner receiving portion during fabrication.

1 2. The apparatus claimed in claim 9, wherein said valve assembly is secured to said bottom by adhesive compatible with said container and medium.

1 3. The apparatus claimed in claim 8, wherein said bottom is manufactured from same material as said container.

14. The apparatus claimed in 3, wherein said inner receiving portion is a valve cup.

1 5. The apparatus claimed in claim 1 4, wherein said retaining assembly is crimped to said container.

1 6. The apparatus claimed in claim 1 5, wherein from an outer perimeter of said valve cup, at a shoulder portion, said bottom extends in a generally latitudinal direction, then in a generally longitudinal direction upwards and in a generally latitudinal direction downwards, terminating in a retaining lip for securing said bottom onto said container.

17. The apparatus claimed in claim 2, wherein said heat exchange unit further comprises a body portion including a downwardly descending portion ending in said retaining assembly.

1 8. The apparatus claimed in claim 1 7, wherein said lip of said heat exchange unit is secured to said shoulder portion of said valve cup by crimping.

1 9. The apparatus claimed in claim 1 8, wherein said lip is manufactured from the same material as said container.

20. A self-cooling container apparatus for holding a medium to be cooled, comprising: a heat exchange unit containing at least one gas for cooling said medium, comprising: a valve assembly for releasing said at least one gas through said bottom portion of said container.

21 . The self-cooling container claimed in claim 20, wherein said heat exchange unit further comprises: an actuator for actuating release of said at least one gas.

22. The self-cooling container claimed in claim 21 , wherein said valve assembly further comprises a valve and valve stem, and said self-cooling container further comprises: a retaining assembly, comprising: a bottom connected with said container; and an inner receiving portion disposed centrally on an inner side of said bottom, said inner receiving portion including an aperture centrally disposed, wherein said inner receiving portion retains said valve and said valve stem protrudes through said aperture.

23. The apparatus claimed in claim 22, wherein said retaining assembly is crimped to said container.

24. The apparatus claimed in claim 22, wherein said inner receiving portion is integrally connected with said container.

25. The apparatus claimed in claim 21 , wherein said heat exchange unit further comprises: a liner disposed concentric and inside said wall of said heat exchange unit for facilitating flow of said at least one gas throughout said heat exchange unit.

26. The apparatus claimed in claim 22, wherein said heat exchange unit further comprises: a liner disposed concentric and inside said wall of said heat exchange unit for facilitating flow of said at least one gas throughout said heat exchange unit.