James A Scudder

US Patent:

6351953, Mar 5, 2002

Filed:

Sep 25, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/669493

Inventors:

James A. Scudder - Poway CA 92064
James L. Berntsen - Ramona CA 92065
William B. Farnham - San Pedro CA 90731
Dan Gibbs - San Diego CA 92129
Ann T. Davern - San Diego CA 92103
Jerine J. Rosato - San Diego CA 92103
Michael S. Slocum - San Diego CA 92131

International Classification:

F25D 500

US Classification:

62 4, 62 60, 12626308

Abstract:

A container having a container body, a thermic module at one end of the body, and a closure at the other end of the body initiates an internal exothermic (or, alternatively, endothermic) chemical reaction to heat its contents when a user actuates the thermic module. A plastic thermic module body is spin-welded to a plastic container body by rotating one relative to and in contact with the other. The container body has multiple layers, including an inner layer such as a so-called oxygen barrier layer that inhibits oxidation and spoilage of the contents, and spin-welding the container body to the module body seals the otherwise-exposed oxygen barrier layer against air or moisture intrusion. The container includes a rotatable cover adhered to the container end over the closure with heat-sensitive adhesive that prevents a user from accessing the contents until a certain temperature is reached. The thermic module further includes a seal between an inner actuator button and an outer actuator button that seals the thermic module reactants against moisture intrusion prior to use, and is punctured when the thermic module is actuated. The thermic module may also include a filter disposed in interfering relation with the thermic module vents, including a portion between the inner and outer actuator buttons, to block egress of any particles of the solid reactant or the reaction product.

US Patent:

7025055, Apr 11, 2006

Filed:

Mar 15, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/800802

Inventors:

James A. Scudder - Poway CA, US
David C. Boucher - San Diego CA, US
Peter J. Kapitzke - Poway CA, US
Kenneth M. Sanderman - Lakeside CA, US

Assignee:

OnTech Delaware Inc. - San Diego CA

International Classification:

F24J 3/00

US Classification:

12626308, 12626309

Abstract:

A tray for selectably heating or cooling the contents of the tray comprises a container body having a material chamber for containing said contents. The tray is specifically configured to heat of cool solid, semi-solid or viscous materials. The container body is generally flat wherein the width of the container body is greater than its height. The container body has a first compartment for housing a thermic module and a second compartment for containing the contents to be heated or cooled. Within the thermic module, an internal exothermic (or, alternatively, endothermic) chemical reaction is initiated to heat (or cool) the contents when a user actuates the thermic module. The thermic module comprises two reactant chambers separated by a breakable barrier, an actuator, and a piercing member movable between a retracted position and an extended position in response to a force placed on a portion of the actuator. A distal end of the piercing member breaks said breakable barrier when the piercing member is forced into the extended position to allow mixing of the reactants in the two reactant chambers.

US Patent:

7117684, Oct 10, 2006

Filed:

Mar 15, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/800987

Inventors:

James A. Scudder - Poway CA, US
David C. Boucher - San Diego CA, US
Peter J. Kapitzke - Poway CA, US
Kenneth M. Sanderman - Lakeside CA, US

Assignee:

Ontech Delaware Inc. - San Diego CA

International Classification:

F25D 5/00
F24J 1/00
F24J 3/00

US Classification:

62 4, 62 60, 12626309

Abstract:

A container comprises a container body for containing contents to be heated or cooled, a thermic module at one end of the body, and a closure at the other end of the body. Within the thermic module, an internal exothermic (or, alternatively, endothermic) chemical reaction is initiated to heat its contents when a user actuates the thermic module. The thermic module includes a heat exchanger portion extending proximally into the container and a thermic module cap distal to the heat exchanger portion. The heat exchanger portion has a pleated wall to improve the heat transfer to the contents of the container. The container includes a rotatable cover adhered to the container end over the closure with heat-sensitive adhesive that prevents a user from accessing the contents until a certain temperature is reached. The container further includes a full panel pull-off which covers and protects the actuator from being actuated until the pull-of lid is removed from the full panel pull-off. The thermic module may also include a filter disposed in interfering relation with the thermic module vents, including a portion between the inner and outer actuator buttons, to block egress of any particles of the solid reactant or the reaction product.

US Patent:

20060162344, Jul 27, 2006

Filed:

Mar 23, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/388913

Inventors:

James Scudder - Poway CA, US
David Boucher - San Diego CA, US
Peter Kapitzke - Poway CA, US
Kenneth Sanderman - Lakeside CA, US

International Classification:

F25D 5/00
F24J 1/00
F24J 3/00

US Classification:

062004000, 126263080, 126263090

Abstract:

A container comprises a container body for containing contents to be heated or cooled, a thermic module at one end of the body, and a closure at the other end of the body. Within the thermic module, an internal exothermic (or, alternatively, endothermic) chemical reaction is initiated to heat its contents when a user actuates the thermic module. The thermic module includes a heat exchanger portion extending proximally into the container and a thermic module cap distal to the heat exchanger portion. The heat exchanger portion has a pleated wall to improve the heat transfer to the contents of the container. The container includes a rotatable cover adhered to the container end over the closure with heat-sensitive adhesive that prevents a user from accessing the contents until a certain temperature is reached. The container further includes a full panel pull-off which covers and protects the actuator from being actuated until the pull-of lid is removed from the full panel pull-off. The container may also include features which reduce the damage or deformation to the container components which may be caused by the heat and pressure of a retort/sterilization process or mixing of reactants.

US Patent:

20060169276, Aug 3, 2006

Filed:

Mar 28, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/391968

Inventors:

James Scudder - Poway CA, US
David Boucher - San Diego CA, US
Peter Kapitzke - Poway CA, US
Kenneth Sanderman - Lakeside CA, US

International Classification:

F25D 5/00
F24J 1/00
F24J 3/00

US Classification:

126263080, 062004000, 126263090

Abstract:

A tray for selectably heating or cooling the contents of the tray comprises a container body having a material chamber for containing said contents. The tray is specifically configured to heat of cool solid, semi-solid or viscous materials. The container body is generally flat wherein the width of the container body is greater than its height. The container body has a first compartment for housing a thermic module and a second compartment for containing the contents to be heated or cooled. Within the thermic module, an internal exothermic (or, alternatively, endothermic) chemical reaction is initiated to heat (or cool) the contents when a user actuates the thermic module. The thermic module comprises two reactant chambers separated by a breakable barrier, an actuator, and a piercing member movable between a retracted position and an extended position in response to a force placed on a portion of the actuator. A distal end of the piercing member breaks said breakable barrier when the piercing member is forced into the extended position to allow mixing of the reactants in the two reactant chambers.

US Patent:

20070020162, Jan 25, 2007

Filed:

Jul 20, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/186463

Inventors:

James Scudder - Poway CA, US
Peter Kapitzke - Poway CA, US
Kenneth Sanderman - Lakeside CA, US

International Classification:

A61L 2/04

US Classification:

422307000, 422232000

Abstract:

A heating module for use with a sterilizer utilizes an exothermic chemical reaction produced by mixing a first reactant with a second reactant to produce heat without a flame or combustion. The heating module may comprise a pouch filled with a first reactant. The pouch is made of a porous material or fabric such as a nylon or polyester woven material. The pores in the material are small enough contain the particulate or powdered solid reactant within the pouch but are large enough to allow a second reactant to permeate the pouch. The pouch may be placed directly into the water reservoir of a sterilizer. The second reactant is then added to the water reservoir and permeates the pouch thereby activating the exothermic reaction. The heat from the reaction vaporizes the water into high temperature, high pressure steam. The heating module may alternatively comprise a first reactant compartment and a second reactant compartment. The first reactant compartment contains a first reactant that is physically separated from a second reactant contained in the second reactant chamber. When a user actuates the thermic module, the reactants mix and produce an exothermic reaction to heat water into high temperature, high pressure steam.

US Patent:

61787531, Jan 30, 2001

Filed:

Apr 19, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/294926

Inventors:

James A. Scudder - Poway CA
James L. Berntsen - Ramona CA

Assignee:

Ontro, Inc. - Poway CA

International Classification:

F25D 500

US Classification:

62 4

Abstract:

A self-heating or self-cooling container has a container body, a closure at one end of the body through which the contents of the container can be consumed, and a thermic module at the other end of the body having an actuator portion and an elongated reaction chamber portion that extends distally into the container body and contains a liquid reactant relatively more distally from the actuator portion than a solid reactant separated from the liquid reactant by a breakable barrier. When a user actuates the thermic module, an elongated actuator member punctures the barrier. The user can then immediately invert the container, allowing the liquid reactant to drain through the puncture into the solid reactant in the reaction chamber. The reactants mix and produce a reaction that, depending upon the reactants, either heats or cools the container contents by conduction through the thermic module wall. An advantage is that the user does not need to wait to invert the container after actuating it.

US Patent:

59791640, Nov 9, 1999

Filed:

Aug 31, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/143805

Inventors:

James A. Scudder - San Diego CA
James L. Berntsen - Ramona CA

Assignee:

Insta Heat, Inc. - Poway CA

International Classification:

F25D 500
F24J 100

US Classification:

62 4

Abstract:

A thermic module for heating or cooling a material in a container produces an exothermic or endothermic reaction when a user presses an actuator button that causes two reactants in the module to mix. The module is removably engageable in an opening of a container by, for example, screwing it into a threaded opening. The container may have a double-walled construction, with a vacuum space between the inner and outer walls to slow heat transfer after the contents have reached the intended temperature. The module may thus be used to heat or cool beverages or foods in a conventional THERMOS-type vacuum bottle by using the module in place of the normal screw cap.