Self-refrigerating can ready for market, companies claim
By Ahmed ElAmin

07/12/2006 - A new self-refrigerating can lowers beverage temperature by a minimum of 16.7° C in just three minutes, its developers claim.

The Instant Cool Can, as it is being called, is the result of a partnership of Tempra Technology and Crown Holdings. The two are currently discussing commercialization and marketing strategies with "top beverage" companies, Tempra announced on its Internet site.

Various companies have been attempting to design more convenience into their packaging, such as materials that can heat or cool food and drink products. Such products are designed for on-the-go, hot food and beverages but have had a checkered history.

Tempra claims its can works and is safe, unlike some of the other packaging with similar claims that have reportedly exploded when consumers tried to use them.

“The I.C. Can is a 100 per cent safe and environmentally friendly self-refrigerating process that cools using brilliantly simple water evaporation," Tempura stated. "In fact, it's proven to lower beverage temperature by a minimum of 30°F (16.7°C) in just three minutes."

The design uses thermal, insulating and vacuum heat pump technology, according to the description. The self-contained can is the about the size of a 500 ml beverage can. This includes the beverage container itself, and the integral self-cooling device.

The proprietary technology developed for the can creates the temperature drop. When activated, the all natural desiccant contained within a vacuum draws the heat from the beverage through the evaporator into an insulated heat-sink container.

The can uses no carbon dioxide, CFC, HFC, or any other compressed gas and is non-toxic, without risk of gas or vapour escape, Tempra stated. The technology company has also been working on self-heating containers for food. The packaging can be used for single serving soups, coffees, teas, cocoa and hand-held food on demand.

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