WO2010121653A1

WO2010121653A1 - Portable multifunctional container

Info

Publication number: WO2010121653A1
Application number: PCT/EP2009/054793
Authority: WO
Inventors: Peter Grauer; Florian Krass; Christian Heusch
Original assignee: Cool Mountain Collection Ag
Priority date: 2009-04-22
Filing date: 2009-04-22
Publication date: 2010-10-28

Abstract

A portable multifunctional container (10) comprising a housing (1) made of thermally insulating material, an energy storage unit (5), a cooling compartment (20) with an active cooling element (22) for cooling said cooling compartment (20), said active cooling element (22) powered by said energy storage unit (5) and a heating compartment (30) with a boiling unit (32) for boiling a liquid, powered by said energy storage unit (5).

Description

Portable multifunctional container

Field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a portable multifunctional container, especially to a multifunctional container having both cooling and heating functionalities, in particular with boiling capabilities.

Background of the invention

[0002] Various portable containers are known in the art which provide either cooling or heating functionalities. These come in the form of portable cooling boxes or heating units.

[0003] Cooling boxes known in the art are mostly designed to be connected to an external power source like a power outlet or the socket provided in vehicles. However, these cooling boxes are usually quite bulky and designed to be hand carried only on small distances. Alternatively, there are so-called passive cooling boxes which are lighter and are suitable for being carried over longer distances. However, these lack an active cooling system and rely merely on the insulating capacity of the material of their outer housing.

[0004] On the other hand, portable heating units known in the art are almost exclusively powered either by an external power source or by combustible fuel. However, all these solutions severely limit the portability of these units due to their dependency on an external power source or due to their increased weight.

[0005] All-in-all there is no portable multifunctional container known in the art that could perform both functions, i.e. cooling and heating, preferably boiling in a truly portable unit. However, there is a great demand for such a multifunctional unit in the field of survival kits or emergency intervention kits for hardly accessible or remote areas where relying on an external power source is not an option. The most essential needs in such a situation, i.e. conservation of food and at the same time provision of sufficient amounts of drinking water, could not be ensured by any of the prior art units. Furthermore, provision of a hot liquid can, in certain situations, save lives when the danger of frostbite is imminent.

[0006] Thus, the object of the present invention is to provide a solution that can ensure that the above-identified essential necessities, i.e. conservation of food and at the same time provision of sufficient amounts of drinking water, are ensured in a survival situation without a dependency of an external power supply and at the same time provide a solution that is accessible in remote locations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention solves the above identified objectives by providing a portable multifunctional container comprising a cooling compartment for conservation of food with an active cooling element and a heating compartment with a boiling unit for disinfection of water, both the active cooling element and the boiling unit being powered by an energy storage unit. According to a further embodiment of the present invention, said energy storage unit comprises a first unit for delivering relatively small amounts of energy over an extended period of time for the active cooling element and a second unit for delivering a relatively large amount of energy over a short period of time for the boiling unit. Said first unit can be a battery and said second unit a capacitor, preferably a supercapacitor.

[0008] In further embodiments of the present invention, additional means are provided for disinfection of water, particularly means for exposing the contaminated water to sufficient amounts of UV light in order to decontaminate it.

[0009] To provide full independence for an external power source, further embodiments of the present invention further comprise a solar panel for capturing solar energy to be stored in energy storage unit and/or a container for storing hydrogen and/or a system for producing hydrogen.

[0010] According to further embodiment of the present invention said solar panel extends over the outer surface of the housing of the portable multifunctional container thus maximizing its surface exposed to sunlight and in an even further embodiment it extends even beyond the housing or alternatively the solar panel is flexible having one end flexibly attached to the housing and having a second end freely adjustable depending on the direction of sunlight to maximize the surface exposed to sunlight.

[0011] According to the present invention, the portable multifunctional container may resemble a backpack and comprises shoulder straps for being carried on shoulders. In this case the solar panel is large enough to cover a substantial area of the side of the backpack opposite to the shoulder strap thus exposing the solar panel during the entire time when the backpack is carried on the back, during a trip or rescue operation for example.

[0012] According to the present invention, the portable multifunctional container may also resemble a carrying bag and comprises a handle for being carried by hand.

[0013] In a further embodiment of the present invention, said boiler unit comprises means to receive a coffee capsule and means for automated coffee production.

[0014] In a further embodiment of the present invention, said boiler unit comprises means to receive a tea bag and means for automated tee production.

[0015] The main advantage of the present invention is that it can be used as a survival kit that can be carried on expeditions, excursions or rescue missions. Furthermore, the portable multifunctional container can be used independently from external power sources and is able to provide the two most essential needs required for survival in extreme conditions, i.e. conservation of food and provision of safe drinking water and if needed a source of heat as well.

[0016] Further advantages of the present invention are due to its flexibility in use and portability. Furthermore, the provision of additional means for water disinfection in further embodiment of the present invention further ensures the provision of safe drinking water as an alternative to the boiling of the water by the boiling unit. [0017] Further embodiments of the present invention, where either automatic coffee or tea production is provided, offers special advantageous effects, such as comfort in use and convenience.

Brief description of the drawings

[0018] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will in the following be described in detail by means of the description and by making reference to the drawings. Which show:

Fig. IA Shows a cross section of a portable multifunctional container according to the present invention depicting its internal components;

Fig. IB Shows a top view of a portable multifunctional container according to the present invention depicting its solar panel;

Fig. 2 Shows a cross section of a further embodiment of the portable multifunctional container according to the present invention depicting its internal components;

Fig. 3 Shows a cross section of an even further embodiment of the portable multifunctional container according to the present invention provided with automated coffee and/ or tea production means.

Fig. 4A Shows a perspective view of a portable multifunctional container according to a further embodiment of the present invention, resembling a backpack;

Fig. 4B Shows a rear view of a portable multifunctional container according to a further embodiment of the present invention, resembling a backpack; Fig. 5A Shows a perspective view of a portable multifunctional container according to a further embodiment of the present invention, resembling a backpack and comprising a flexible solar panel extending beyond the back side of the housing of the container;

Fig. 5B Shows a perspective view of a portable multifunctional container according to a further embodiment of the present invention, resembling a backpack and comprising a flexible solar panel being rolled up for compact storage;

Fig. 6A Shows a perspective view of a portable multifunctional container according to the present invention;

Fig. 6B Shows a perspective view of a portable multifunctional container according to a further embodiment of the present invention, resembling a hand bag;

Fig. 7 Shows a top view of a container which holds six containers with a triangular cross-section.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] Fig. IA shows a cross section of a portable multifunctional container 10 according to the present invention depicting its internal components. The portable multifunctional container 10 is comprised within a housing 1, said housing 1 comprising a thermally insulating material to prevent excessive heat exchange between the inside and outside of the housing 1.

[0020] The portable multifunctional container 10 further comprises an energy storage unit 5 for providing electric energy or hydrogen to various components, as described later, of the portable multifunctional container 10. Various embodiments of the energy storage unit 5 will be described in further paragraphs in relation with the devices/units the energy storage unit 5 is intended to supply with electrical energy.

[0021] The housing 1 may be divided into a cooling compartment 20 and a heating compartment 30. The cooling compartment 20 being provided for keeping various items, mostly food, medicines and drinks, at a preset, substantially constant temperature. The cooling compartment 20 comprises a cooling element 22 for actively cooling said cooling compartment 20. The cooling element 22 is powered by the energy storage unit 5.

[0022] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cooling element 22 comprises a heat exchanger, which is employed to absorb thermal energy from the inside of the cooling compartment 20 and transfer said thermal energy outside the housing 1, thus cooling down the cooling compartment 20. Additionally, a thermal regulator such as a thermostat may be provided within the cooling compartment 20 in order to control the cooling element 22 according to the current temperature inside the cooling compartment 20. Other regulators known in the art may just as well be employed for this purpose without departing from the basic function, i.e. to ensure that the cooling element 22 maintains a substantially constant temperature within the cooling compartment 20.

[0023] In further embodiments of the present invention, alternative cooling elements 22 may be provided such as cooling fans, ice packs which either contain water inside, or have a gel sealed inside that also stays cold longer than plain water. A Peltier element may also be employed for cooling purposes. The particular choice of cooling element 22 is dependent on the field of use and on the amount of cooling capacity needed. [0024] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the heating compartment 30 of the housing 1 comprises a boiling unit 32 powered by the energy storage unit 5, provided for boiling various liquids. Such liquid can be water, soup, tea, coffee or medicines which are better absorbed by the organism if provided warm or hot. The boiling unit 32 may also be used to help the body of a person be kept warm. For this purpose an additional external heat exchanger 34 (cf. Fig. 6A) may be connected to the boiling unit 32, said external heat exchanger 34 being placed in the proximity of the body, preferably between several layers of clothing. This external heat exchanger 34 may take the shape of a heat pad or a warm cushion having channels through which hot liquids, heated by the boiling unit 32, can pass, thus warming up said cushion. It may also be used to warm up shoes or gloves.

[0025] In a further embodiment of the present invention, the portable multifunctional container 10 further comprises a solar panel 3 for capturing solar energy to be stored in the energy storage unit 5. The solar panel 3 helps in ensuring independence of the portable multifunctional container 10 from external power sources, thus making the portable multifunctional container 10 a viable survival kit that can be employed regardless of availability of a power source. The provision of a solar panel 3 to ensure such independence is a preferred choice since as it is known, much of the most hostile environments provide sufficient amounts of sunlight during the day. As examples, one could mention remote deserts and mountains where there is sufficient sun light during the day, however temperatures dropping drastically as the sun sets. Thus, the solar panel 3 can provide sufficient energy during the day to recharge the energy storage unit 5 and the energy storage unit 5 will be able to power the cooling element 22 and/or the boiling unit 32 even when no solar energy is available due to clouds or after sunset. In such scenarios the portable multifunctional container 10 as a survival kit can provide essential if not critical resources in providing the most essential elements for surviving in such a hostile environment such as conservation of food in the cooling compartment 20 and ensuring safe drinking water by the boiling unit 32. Besides disinfection of water, the provision of hot liquids by the boiling unit 32 can also be vital in keeping body temperatures warm.

[0026] In order to capture as much solar energy as possible, the solar panel 3 is preferably placed on a surface of the housing 1 most exposed to sunlight. Fig. IB shows a top view of the 10 depicting a solar panel 3 placed on top of the housing 1. Figure 4A depicts an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the solar panel 3 extends from the top edge of the housing 1 all the way along a side of the housing 1 and down to the lower edge of this side. Furthermore, Figures 5A and 5B depict an embodiment, where the solar panel 3 extends even beyond the surface of the housing 1 thus maximizing the surface of the solar panel 3 exposed to sunlight. The embodiments shown on figures 5A and 5B depict a solar panel 3 which is relatively flexible, figure 5B depicting the solar panel 3 being rolled up for compact storage.

[0027] In a further embodiment of the present invention, the portable multifunctional container 10 further comprises a container 9 for storing various liquids. Preferably, said container 9 is comprised within the cooling compartment 20 to help keep the liquids contained therein cold. Said container 9 is preferably made of a lightweight material, such as PET or the like thus ensuring that the total weight of the portable multifunctional container 10 is not significantly increased.

[0028] In a further embodiment of the present invention, the portable multifunctional container 10 further comprises a UV light source 11 powered by the energy storage unit 5. Said UV light source 11 is provided for disinfection of polluted liquids, mainly contaminated water. For this purpose, the container 9 is provided with a UV penetrateable window 9.1 and the UV light source 11 is placed in the immediate proximity of this UV penetrateable window 9.1 to ensure that sufficient UV light penetrates the liquid contained in the container 9. Through extended exposure to UV light, said liquid will be disinfected thus making it safe to be consumed an essential element in surviving in hostile environments or any place where drinking water is not available.

[0029] Said UV light source 11 can be a fluorescent tube, an incandescent light bulb or even LED emitting in the ultraviolet spectrum. The choice of a particular UV light source 11 is a design issue according to the specific requirements of a specific application and said choice can be done without departing from the basic function of the UV light source 11, i.e. disinfection of the liquid in the container 9 through prolonged exposure to UV light.

[0030] Fig. 2 shows a cross section of a further embodiment of the portable multifunctional container 10 according to the present invention where the arrangement of the cooling compartment 20 and heating compartment 30 is such that the container 9 contained in the cooling compartment 20 can be placed close to a surface of the housing 1 which is exposed to an external UV light source. Furthermore said surface of the housing 1 is provided itself with a UV penetrateable window 1.1 thus allowing UV light from an external UV light source to penetrate the through the housing 1 and thus expose the liquid contained in the container 9 to said external UV light source. The external UV light source could be sunlight, a natural source of UV radiation which is strong enough to allow a disinfection of water, provided it is exposed to sunlight for sufficient amount of time. [0031] Since, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the surfaces of the housing 1 most exposed to sunlight are covered by the solar panel 3, it is preferred that said solar panel 3 to be made of a UV transparent material to allow UV light from outside to penetrate through the solar panel 3 and expose the container 9, and thus the liquid contained therein, to the external UV light source, this being in most cases natural sunlight.

[0032] As described in previous paragraphs, the portable multifunctional container 10 comprises several components, the cooling element 22, the boiling unit 32 and the UV light source 11 which require electrical energy. In a further embodiment of the present invention, this demand for electrical energy is ensured by an inventive hybrid energy storage unit 5 which comprises a first unit 5.1 and a second unit 5.2. The first unit 5.1 is designed for delivery of relatively small amounts of energy over an extended period of time, as needed by the cooling element 22 and eventually by the UV light source 11. On the other hand, the second unit 5.2 is designed for delivery of a relatively high amount of energy over a short period of time as required by the boiling unit 32 for example.

[0033] The first unit 5.1 is preferably some type of battery storing electrical energy as chemical energy and capable of sustaining a constant voltage over extended periods of time.

[0034] The second unit 5.2 of the energy storage unit 5 is preferably a capacitor or supercapacitor capable of delivering relatively high amounts of electrical energy quickly.

[0035] According to the present invention, both the first unit 5.1 and second unit 5.2 of the energy storage unit 5 are being charged either by the solar panel 3 provided or by connecting the portable multifunctional container 10 to an external power source 101 via an optional connector 7. Said external power source 101 can be a fixed power outlet, the power socket of a vehicle or some sort of generator.

[0036] The energy storage unit 5 may also comprise a tank or container for hydrogen gas or for Ammonia (NH₃). In this case as fuel cell could be included which is able to turn the hydrogen or NH₃ into electric energy. The hydrogen could also be reacted with oxygen to produce heat for the boiler.

[0037] Fig. 3 shows a cross section of an even further embodiment of portable multifunctional container 10 according to the present invention in which more emphasis has been laid on convenience and ease of use. Thus this embodiment comprises a boiling unit 32 which is fitted means to receive a coffee (tea or soup) capsule and means for automated coffee production. Said means for receiving a coffee capsule can be designed to accommodate coffee capsules widely available on the market or can be designed for special coffee capsules specially designed for being used with the portable multifunctional container 10 of the present invention. Said means for automated coffee production may comprise a small pressuriser to force the hot water from the boiling unit 32 through said coffee capsule to extract the coffee aroma.

[0038] In a further embodiment of the present invention, the boiling unit 32 comprises means to receive a tea bag and means for automated tea production. Said means for receiving a tea bag or capsule can be designed to accommodate tea bags widely available on the market or can be designed for special tea bags specially designed for being used with the portable multifunctional container 10 of the present invention. Said means for automated tea production may comprise a small pressuriser to force the hot water from the boiling unit 32 through said tea bag to extract the tea aroma. [0039] It is to be observed that besides the container 9 for storing liquids, the cooling compartment 20 may accommodate other items such as a chocolate bar 301, a food box 303 or other food items or medicines that need to be stored cool.

[0040] Fig. 4A shows a perspective view of a portable multifunctional container according to a further embodiment of the present invention, resembling a backpack. This embodiment is designed to be carried on the back for extended periods of time being fitted for this purpose with a pair of shoulder straps 201. A further advantage of this embodiment is that the housing 1 has a large surface which can be exposed to sunlight for as long as the portable multifunctional container 10 is carried on the back. Accordingly, the associated with this embodiment will extend from the far edge of the top of the housing 1 down to the lower edge of the housing 1 on the side opposite to the shoulder straps 201. This backpack-like embodiment of the portable multifunctional container 10 provides a large inner space thus allowing the cooling compartment 20 and heating compartment 30 to be designed to accommodate larger amounts of foods and drinks.

[0041] Fig. 4B Shows a rear view of the backpack-like embodiment of the portable multifunctional container 10 depicting the pair of shoulder straps 201 fixed on a side of the housing 1.

[0042] Fig. 5A Shows a perspective view of the backpack-like embodiment of the portable multifunctional container 10 comprising a flexible embodiment of the solar panel 3 extending beyond the side of the housing 1 opposite to the shoulder straps 201, thus maximizing the surface of the solar panel 3 exposed to sunlight. Providing a flexible solar panel 3 has the further advantage that said solar panel 3 is less prone to being broken and also that it can be more freely adjusted to maximize exposure to sunlight.

[0043] Fig. 5B shows a perspective view of the backpack-like embodiment of the portable multifunctional container 10 with its flexible solar panel 3 being rolled up for compact storage. Rolling up or folding of the flexible solar panel 3 has the advantage that a large surface of solar panel 3 can be provided without sacrificing the compactness of the portable multifunctional container 10.

[0044] In both figures 5A and 5B, the solar panel 3 has a first end 3.1 flexibly attached to the housing 1 and having a second end 3.2 freely adjustable depending on the direction and orientation of sunlight in order to maximize exposure to sunlight.

[0045] Fig. 6A shows a perspective view of the portable multifunctional container 10 according to the present invention as being connected to an external heat exchanger 34 by means of fluid conducts 34.1. In this embodiment of the portable multifunctional container 10 is being used to help the body of a person be kept warm. For this purpose, the additional external heat exchanger 34 is connected to the boiling unit 32 by means of fluid conducts 34.1, said external heat exchanger 34 being placed in the proximity of the body, preferably between several layers of clothing. This external heat exchanger 34 may take the shape of a heat pad or a warm cushion having channels through which hot liquids, heated by the boiling unit 32 and transferred through the fluid conducts 34.1, can pass, thus warming up said cushion.

[0046] Fig. 6B shows a perspective view of the portable multifunctional container 10 according to a further embodiment of the present invention, resembling a hand bag comprising a handle 203 for being carried by hand. [0047] Fig. 7 shows a container 304 for holding a number of smaller containers having a triangular cross-section. Here the container

304 is filled with six smaller containers. The container 9 could be a container for a liquid (e.g. water). Furthermore, the container 304 might comprise a chocolate bar 301 (e.g. Toblerone® chocolate, as provided by Kraft Foods, Switzerland), a food box 303, a gas tank

305 (e.g. for storing hydrogen gas), a coffee box 306, e.g. containing coffee capsules, a tea box 307, e.g. containing tea capsules. The container 304 could also store NH₃, e.g. in salt tablets as provided by the company Amminex, Denmark.

[0048] It will be understood that many variations could be adopted based on the specific structure hereinbefore described without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

Reference List:

portable multifunctional container 10 housinq 1 UV penetrateable window 1.1 solar panel 3 first end 3.1 second end 3.2 enerqv storaqe unit 5 first unit 5.1 second unit 5.2 connector 7 container 9

UV penetrateable window 9.1 UV liqht source 11 coolinq compartment 20 coolinq element 22 heatinq compartment 30 boilinq unit 32 external heat exchanqer 34 fluid conducts 34.1

external power source 101 shoulder straps 201 handle 203 chocolate bar 301 food box 303 container 304 qas tank 305 a coffee box 306 a tea box 307 water tank / container 9

Claims

Claims:

1. A portable multifunctional container (10) comprising:

- a housing (1) comprising a thermally insulating material;

- an energy storage unit (5); - a cooling compartment (20) with an active cooling element (22) for cooling said cooling compartment (20), powered by said energy storage unit (5);

- a heating compartment (30) with a boiling unit (32) for boiling a liquid, powered by said energy storage unit (5).

2. A portable multifunctional container (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a solar panel (3) for capturing solar energy to be stored in the energy storage unit (5).

3. A portable multifunctional container (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that said solar panel (3) extends over the outer surface of the housing (1) thus maximizing its surface exposable to sunlight.

4. A portable multifunctional container (10) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that said solar panel (3) extends beyond the housing (1) thus maximizing even further its surface exposed to sunlight.

5. A portable multifunctional container (10) according to one of the claims 2 to 4, characterized in that said solar panel (3) is a flexible solar panel having a first end (3.1) flexibly attached to the housing (1) and having a second end (3.2) freely adjustable depending on the direction of sunlight to maximize the surface exposed to sunlight.

6. A portable multifunctional container (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that said solar panel (3) can be rolled up and/or folded for storage.

7. A portable multifunctional container (10) according to one of the claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said energy storage unit (5) is a hybrid energy storage unit (5) comprising a first unit (5.1) for delivering relatively small amounts of energy over an extended period of time for the active cooling element (22) and a second unit (5.2) for delivering a relatively large amount of energy over a short period of time for the boiling unit (32).

8. A portable multifunctional container (10) according to claim 7, characterized in that said first unit (5.1) is a battery and said second unit (5.2) is a capacitor, preferably a supercapacitor.

9. A portable multifunctional container (10) according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that it further comprises a connector (7) for connecting it to an external power source (101) in order to charge the energy storage unit (5).

10. A portable multifunctional container (10) according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that it further comprises a container (9) for storing liquids.

11. A portable multifunctional container (10) according to claim 10, characterized in that it further comprises a UV light source (11), powered by the energy storage unit (5), mounted in the proximity of a UV penetrateable window (9.1) of the container (9) to allow liquid contained therein to be exposed to UV light in order to disinfect the liquid.

12. A portable multifunctional container (10) according to claim 10, characterized in that the housing (1) comprises a UV penetrateable window (1.1) to allow an external UV light source to at least partially illuminate a UV penetrateable window (9.1) of the container (9) to allow liquid contained therein to be exposed to UV light in order to disinfect the liquid.

13. A portable multifunctional container (10) according to claim 12, characterized in that said further UV penetrateable window (1.1) of the housing (1) is positioned directly below the solar panel (3) and said solar panel (3) being made of a UV transparent material to allow UV light from said external UV light source to at least partially illuminate the UV penetrateable window (9.1) of the container (9) ₌

14. A portable multifunctional container (10) according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that said active cooling element (22) comprises a heat exchanger or a Peltier-element.

15. A portable multifunctional container (10) according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that said boiler unit (32) comprises means to receive

- a coffee capsule and means for automated coffee production, and/or

- a tea bag and means for automated tee production, , and/or

- an instant soup or food capsule for automated food preparation.

16. A portable multifunctional container (10) according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that it resembles a backpack and comprises shoulder straps (201) for being carried on shoulders.

17. A portable multifunctional container (10) according to one of the claims 1 to 16, characterized in that it resembles a carrying bag and comprises a handle (203) for being carried by hand.

18. A portable multifunctional container (10) according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that it further comprises an external heat exchanger (34), connected to the boiling unit (32) via fluid conducts (34.1).

19. A portable multifunctional container (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises an electrolyzing system for producing hydrogen.

20. A portable multifunctional container (10) according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that it further comprises a container for storing hydrogen, preferably in the form of NH₃.

21. A portable multifunctional container (10) according to claim 19 or 20, characterized in that the hydrogen is employable for producing heat for boiling a liquid in said boiling unit (32).