Thermal energy storage system
View Patent ↗A thermal energy storage container which includes a first panel having a container attachment element located around a periphery thereof. The container attachment element is adapted to engage a complementary lid attachment element. The thermal energy storage container includes a container compartment adapted to store a thermal energy storage material. A thermal energy storage lid which includes a lid attachment element located around a periphery thereof. The lid attachment element is adapted to engage a complementary container attachment element.
1. A thermal energy storage container, comprising:
a first panel defining a recess for receiving at least one of food or liquid;
a second panel, offset from the first panel, having a peripheral edge connected to the first panel to form a container compartment generally coextensive with the second panel, the first and second panels being formed by a polymer and being nondetachably fixed to each other, wherein the first and second panels are translucent; and
a thermal energy storage material sealed within the container compartment, wherein the thermal energy storage material has a color so that the thermal energy storage container generally has the color of the thermal energy storage material.
2. The thermal energy storage container of claim 1 , wherein the second panel includes a sealed tube located in a recessed portion.
3. The thermal energy storage container of claim 1 , wherein the peripheral edge of the second panel is sealed to a peripheral collar of the first panel.
4. The thermal energy storage container of claim 3 , wherein the thermal energy storage container includes a beverage in the recess.
5. The thermal energy storage container of claim 1 , wherein the thermal energy storage material is a gel.
6. The thermal energy storage container of claim 1 , wherein the orthogonal distance between the first and second panels varies within the container compartment.
7. A thermal energy storage container, comprising:
a first panel defining a recess for receiving at least one of food or liquid;
a second panel, offset from the first panel, having a peripheral edge connected to the first panel to form a container compartment generally coextensive with the second panel, the second panel defining a hole, the first and second panels being formed by a polymer and being nondetachably fixed to each other, wherein the first and second panels are translucent and
a tube surrounding the hole and projecting away from the container compartment, the tube forming a conduit to allow the insertion of a thermal energy storage material into the container compartment, the tube being permanently closed after the tube is sealed.
8. The thermal energy storage container of claim 7 , wherein the peripheral edge of the second panel is sealed to a peripheral, collar of the first panel.
9. The thermal energy storage container of claim 7 , wherein the thermal energy storage container includes a beverage in the recess.
10. The thermal energy storage container of claim 7 , wherein the thermal energy storage material is a gel.
11. The thermal energy storage container of claim 7 , wherein the orthogonal distance between the first and second panels varies within the container compartment.
12. A method of making a thermal energy storage container, comprising:
providing first and second panels, the second panel being offset from the first panel, the second panel having a peripheral edge connected to the first panel to form a container compartment generally coextensive with the second panel, the first and second panels being formed by a polymer, wherein the first and second panels are translucent, the second panel further defining a hole and including a tube surrounding the hole and projecting away from the container compartment, the tube forming a conduit to allow the insertion of a thermal energy storage material into the container compartment;
sealing the first and second panels to each other;
inserting a thermal energy storage material into the container compartment through the tube, the thermal energy storage material being colored; and
permanently closing the tube to seal the container compartment, wherein the thermal energy storage container generally has the color of the thermal energy storage material.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the step of closing the tube further comprises heat sealing the tube.
14. The method of claim 12 , wherein the step of closing the tube further comprises sonic welding the tube.
15. The method of claim 12 , wherein the orthogonal distance between the first and second panels varies within the container compartment.
16. A thermal energy storage container, comprising:
a first panel having a first panel sidewall, a first panel bottom portion, and a first panel transition area therebetween, the first panel transition area having a generally smooth curvilinear shape;
a second panel, offset from the first panel, having a peripheral edge connected to the lust panel to farm a container compartment generally coextensive with the second panel, the second panel having a second panel sidewall, a second panel bottom portion, and a second panel transition area therebetween, the second panel transition area having a generally rectilinear shape; and
a thermal energy storage material located within the container compartment, wherein the generally rectilinear shape of the second panel transition area maximizes the volume of the container compartment and the generally smooth curvilinear shape of the first panel transition area facilitates the flow of the thermal energy storage material during filling of the container compartment.
17. A thermal energy storage container, comprising:
a first panel having a first panel sidewall, a first panel bottom portion, and a first panel transition area therebetween, the first panel transition area having a generally smooth curvilinear shape;
a second panel, offset from the first panel, having a peripheral edge connected to the first panel to form a container compartment generally coextensive with the second panel, the second panel having a second panel sidewall, a second panel bottom portion, and a second panel transition area therebetween, the second panel transition area having a generally rectilinear shape, the second panel defining a hole; and
a tube surrounding the hole and projecting away from the container compartment, the tube forming a conduit to allow the insertion of a thermal energy storage material into the container compartment the tube being configured to be permanently closed after the tube is sealed, wherein the generally rectilinear shape of the second panel transition area maximizes the volume of the container compartment and the generally smooth curvilinear shape of the first panel transition area facilitates the flow of the thermal energy storage material during filling of the container compartment.