US20100251731A1

US20100251731A1 - Self-Chilling Beverage Can

Info

Publication number: US20100251731A1
Application number: US12/749,712
Authority: US
Inventors: John R. Bergida
Original assignee: FROSTY COLD LLC
Current assignee: FROSTY COLD LLC
Priority date: 2009-04-02
Filing date: 2010-03-30
Publication date: 2010-10-07

Abstract

A self-chilling beverage can is disclosed that includes outer and inner compartments. The outer compartment has at least one sidewall, a top end, and a bottom end such that a cavity is formed for retaining a liquid. The inner compartment has at least one sidewall, a top end, and a bottom end collectively forming a second cavity to retain a substance. The substance can either be water or a coolant. The coolant is selected such that an endothermic reaction occurs when the coolant comes into contact with water. A balloon is affixed to the bottom end of the inner compartment. The balloon may comprise either water or the coolant, and contents of the balloon are initially separated from contents of the second cavity. Means for puncturing the balloon are provided such that a user can puncture the balloon and access the liquid by a single motion.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a nonprovisional and claims benefit of U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 61/166,136, filed Apr. 2, 2009, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

The invention relates generally to the field of cans and can manufacturing. More specifically, the invention relates to the field of self-chilling cans and methods of their manufacture.

SUMMARY

A self-chilling beverage can according to one embodiment includes an outer compartment, a pull tab, an inner compartment, and a puncturing member. The outer compartment has at least one sidewall, a top end, and a bottom end. The sidewall, the top end, and the bottom end of the outer compartment collectively form a first cavity for storing a liquid. The top end of the outer compartment has a rupturable tear panel which may be ruptured to provide access to the liquid stored within the first cavity. The pull tab has a front end and a back end. The back end of the pull tab is placed adjacent to the rupturable tear panel, such that when the front end of the pull tab is pulled away from the top end of the outer compartment, the rupturable tear panel ruptures and moves into the first cavity. The rupturing of the rupturable tear panel provides access to the liquid in the first cavity. The inner compartment has at least one sidewall, a top end, and a bottom end. The inner compartment is located inside the first cavity, and has second and third cavities that are separated by a rupturable membrane. The puncturing member is underneath the rupturable tear panel. The puncturing member extends into the first cavity and the second cavity and rests above the rupturable membrane. When the front end of the pull tab is pulled to provide access to the first cavity, the rupturable tear panel pushes the puncturing member down towards the rupturable membrane of the inner compartment, eventually puncturing the rupturable membrane and allowing substances present in the second and third cavities to mix.
According to another embodiment, a self-chilling beverage can includes an outer compartment having at least one sidewall, a top end and a bottom end such that a cavity is formed to retain a liquid. The self-chilling beverage can also includes an inner compartment that has at least one sidewall, a top end and a bottom end. A rupturable membrane separates the inner compartment into a first chamber and a second chamber. One of the first and second chambers generally comprises water, while the other chamber generally comprises a coolant. The coolant is selected such that an endothermic reaction occurs when the coolant comes into contact with the water. Means for puncturing the rupturable membrane are provided such that a user can puncture the rupturable membrane and access the liquid in the cavity with a single motion.
According to still another embodiment, a self-chilling beverage can includes an outer compartment with at least one sidewall, a top end and a bottom end such that a cavity is formed for retaining a liquid. The self-chilling beverage can also includes an inner compartment with at least one sidewall, a top end and a bottom end collectively forming a second cavity to retain a substance. The substance can either be water or a coolant. The coolant is selected such that an endothermic reaction occurs when the coolant comes into contact with the water. A balloon is affixed to the bottom end of the inner compartment. The balloon may comprise either water or the coolant. The water or the coolant retained within the balloon is separated from the substance in the second cavity. Means for puncturing the balloon are provided such that a user can puncture the balloon and access the liquid in the first cavity by a single motion.
According to still yet another embodiment, a self-chilling beverage can includes an outer compartment that has at least one sidewall, a top end and a bottom end such that a first cavity is formed for retaining a liquid. The top end has a rupturable tear panel to provide access to the liquid stored within the first cavity. The top end of the outer compartment has a pull tab that has a front end and a back end. The back end of the pull tab is placed adjacent to the rupturable tear panel. When the front end of the pull tab is pulled away from the top end, the rupturable tear panel ruptures and moves into the first cavity. The rupturing of the rupturable tear panel opens the first cavity and provides access to the liquid. The self-chilling beverage can also includes an inner compartment that is placed within the first cavity. The inner compartment has at least one sidewall, a top end and a bottom end that collectively form a second cavity. Means for dividing the second cavity into two areas are provided, such that two different substances can be separately stored within the two areas. The two substances are selected such that an endothermic reaction occurs when the two substances are allowed to come into contact with each other. A puncturing member extends into the first cavity and one of the two areas, and lies underneath the rupturable tear panel. When the front of the pull tab is pulled to provide access to the first cavity, the rupturable tear panel pushes the puncturing member down towards the other area. As the puncturing member moves downwards, it ruptures the means for dividing the second cavity and allows the two substances to come into contact with each other.
The self-chilling beverage can disclosed herein provides several benefits, some of which are detailed below. For example, the self-chilling beverage can may reduce the cost borne by retailers of beverage cans to store and market the beverage cans at low temperatures. Generally, retail stores utilize electric refrigerators to keep the beverage cans chilled. The self-chilling beverage can may eliminate or greatly reduce the need for retailers to employ electric refrigerators to chill the beverage cans. Therefore, the retailers will save some of the costs associated with purchasing separate refrigeration equipment to store the beverage cans at low temperatures, as well as the costs related to maintaining the separate refrigeration equipment. Moreover, reduction of in-store refrigeration equipment will result in lower electricity bills for the retailers. The self-chilling beverage can may similarly reduce or eliminate the need for vending machines that employ traditional refrigeration methods to store the beverage cans at low temperatures.
Notably, as the self-chilling beverage can does not use electricity or refrigerant gas to chill the beverage within the can, the self-chilling beverage can does not adversely impact the environment. Also, the reactants employed to, cause the endothermic reaction within the self-chilling beverage can may be non-toxic, such that even if these reactants accidentally mix with the beverage, the accidental mixing does not render the beverage unsafe for human consumption.
The beverage within the self-chilling beverage can may be chilled in a significantly shorter amount of time as compared to customary refrigeration methods. When the beverage cans are placed in freezers to chill the beverage cans at a faster rate, the beverage cans often explode upon the freezing and expansion of the contents within the beverage cans. The self-chilling beverage can, on the other hand, is not prone to exploding.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Illustrative embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the self-chilling beverage can;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the self-chilling beverage can with the inner compartment removed;

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-section through the self-chilling beverage can illustrating the inner compartment coupled to the outer compartment;

FIG. 4 is vertical cross-section through the self-chilling beverage can illustrating the puncturing member puncturing the rupturable membrane when the pull tab is pulled away from the outer compartment; and

FIG. 5 is a cross-section view similar to that in FIG. 3, but depicting an alternate embodiment having a rupturable balloon placed at the bottom of the inner compartment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Detailed descriptions of various embodiments are set forth herein to enable those skilled in the art to practice the current invention. FIGS. 1 through 4 show a self-chilling beverage can 8. As set forth, for example, in FIG. 1, an outer compartment 10 has a top end 12, a bottom end 14, and at least one sidewall 16. The top end 12, the bottom end 14 and the sidewall 16 collectively form a first cavity 18. A liquid 20 can be stored within the first cavity 18. The liquid 20 may be a carbonated or non-carbonated beverage, such as a soft drink, beer, fruit punch, juice, or any other liquid that is intended to be chilled (including liquids that cannot be consumed). At the outset, the first cavity 18 is water-tight, sealed by the top end 12, the bottom end 14, and the sidewall 16 such that any liquid 20 stored within the first cavity 18 cannot escape out of the first cavity 18.
A pull tab 22 is coupled to the top end 12. The pull tab 22 may be coupled to the top end 12 by a rivet 28 or any other appropriate fastener. The pull tab 22 has a front end 24 and a back end 26. Generally, the pull tab 22 is coupled to the top end 12 at, or close to, the back end 26 of the pull tab 22, with the front end 24 of the pull tab 22 resting above the top end 12 such that the front end 24 of the pull tab 22 can easily be pulled away from the top end 12. When the front end 24 of the pull tab 22 is pulled away from the top end 12, the pull tab 22 may remain coupled to the top end 12 and the back end 26 of the pull tab 22 is pushed downward towards the top end 12.
The top end 12 includes a rupturable tear panel 30 that has a proximal end 32 and a distal end 34. The rupturable tear panel 30 is constructed such that when a downward force is applied to the proximal end 32 of the rupturable tear panel 30, at least a portion of the tear panel 30 (e.g., the distal end 34) disconnects from the top end 12 and moves into the cavity 18 while the proximal end 32 remains connected to the top end 12.
In use, then, the pull tab 22 is utilized to cause the distal end 34 of the rupturable tear panel 30 to disconnect from the top end 12. More specifically, the back end 26 of the pull tab 22 is placed adjacent to the proximal end 32 of the rupturable tear panel 30. When the front end 24 of the pull tab 22 is pulled away from the top end 12, the back end 26 of the pull tab 22 pushes the proximal end 32 of the rupturable tear panel 30 downward, causing the distal end 34 of the rupturable tear panel 30 to disconnect from the top end 12 and move downward into the cavity 18.
The outer compartment 10 detailed thus far can be constructed according to can manufacturing processes known in the art. The outer compartment 10 may be made of aluminum, steel, metal alloy, and/or any other appropriate materials.
Turning to FIG. 2, the can 8 further includes an inner compartment 40. The inner compartment 40 has a top end 42, a bottom end 44, and at least one sidewall 46. The ends 42, 44 of the inner compartment 40 have a smaller diameter than the ends 12, 14 of the outer compartment 10. Similarly, the length of the inner compartment sidewall 46 (i.e. the distance between the top and bottom ends 42 and 44 of the inner compartment) is shorter than the length of the outer compartment sidewall 16. By virtue of the smaller dimensions of the inner compartment 40 as compared to the outer compartment 10, the inner compartment 40 can be placed within the outer compartment 10. As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the inner compartment 40 may be constructed out of the same or different materials than the outer compartment 10.
The top end 42 of the inner compartment 40 may be coupled to the top end 12 of the outer compartment 10 by one or more spacing members 48. In some embodiments, the spacing member 48 is of a rigid construction such that the spacing between the sidewalls and ends of the inner and outer compartments 40, 10 remains generally constant. The spacing member 48 may be a rivet or any other appropriate spacer.
A puncturing member 60 has a top end 62 and extends upwards from the top end 42 of the inner compartment 40 towards the top end 12 of the outer compartment 10. The top end 62 of the puncturing member 60 rests beneath the rupturable tear panel 30 (e.g., beneath the distal end 34). In some embodiments, the top end 62 of the puncturing member 60 may be coupled to the distal end 34 of the rupturable tear panel 30, for example by a rivet or by welding the top end 62 of the puncturing member 60 to the distal end 34 of the rupturable tear panel 30, although such coupling is not required.
As shown in FIG. 3, a rupturable membrane 74 is coupled to the sidewall 46 of the inner compartment 40 and divides an area formed by the sidewall 46 and the top and bottom ends 42 and 44 into a second cavity 70 and a third cavity 72. The second cavity 70 and the third cavity 72 (and indeed the outer compartment 10 and the inner compartment 40) can be of different sizes, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. The rupturable membrane 74 is made out of a material that can be punctured by the puncturing member 60. For example, the rupturable membrane 74 may be made out of rubber, latex, polychloroprene, etc. Though not specifically shown, the rupturable membrane 74 may be coupled to a wall or protrusion that extends into the inner compartment 40, instead of (or in addition to) being coupled directly to the sidewall 46.
The rupturable membrane 74 prevents the contents of the second cavity 70 and the third cavity 72 from mixing, so two different substances may be retained in the second cavity 70 and the third cavity 72. These substances may include, for example, ammonium nitrate, sodium carboxyl methyl cellulose, sodium chloride, hydrated sodium acetate, potassium chloride, potassium nitrate, ammonium chloride, water, urea, guar gum, and mixtures of these substances. The substance stored in the second cavity 70 may be a coolant such that if the coolant comes into contact with the substance stored in the third cavity 72, an endothermic reaction occurs. Or, the coolant may be stored in the third cavity 72, such that an endothermic reaction occurs when the coolant comes into contact with the substance in the second cavity 70. For example, water may be stored in one of the second or third cavities 70, 72, and ammonium nitrate may be stored in the other cavity 70, 72. In another embodiment, a mixture of about 98% ammonium nitrate, about 1% sodium carboxyl methyl cellulose and about 1% sodium chloride may be stored in one of the second or third cavities 70, 72, and water may be stored in the other cavity 70, 72. In another exemplary embodiment, one of the second or third cavities 70, 72 may comprise about 65 to 130 parts urea, about 35 to 80 parts hydrated sodium acetate, about 18 to 40 parts potassium chloride, about 18 to 30 parts ammonium chloride, about 6 to 10 parts guar gum, about 85 to 140 parts water and potassium nitrate or mixtures thereof, while the other cavity 70, 72 may comprise primarily water. It may be desirable for the quantities of the substances in the cavities 70, 72 to be selected such that the substances completely (or almost completely) react with each other.
A puncturing member housing 66 is coupled (e.g., adhered) to the top end 42 of the inner compartment 40 and may extend into the second cavity 70, and the puncturing member 60 rests within the puncturing member housing 66. The puncturing member housing 66 allows the puncturing member 60 to move vertically downward towards the third cavity 72 but generally restricts the movement of the puncturing member 60 from side to side. Accordingly, the puncturing member 60 is not coupled to the puncturing member housing 66, or is at least movable relative to the puncturing member housing 66. The puncturing member 60 has a bottom end 64 that rests above the rupturable membrane 74. Thus, the puncturing member 60, with its top end 62 outside the second cavity 70, extends through the top end 42 of the inner compartment 40 into the second cavity 70 and rests above the rupturable membrane 74.
The inner compartment 40 is constructed such that it is water-tight, sealed by the ends 42, 44 and the sidewall 46 so the substances in the second or third cavities 70, 72 cannot escape and mix with the liquid 20 in the first cavity 18. The water-tight nature of the inner compartment 40 is maintained, notwithstanding the movable puncturing member 60 which extends upward from within the second cavity 70 through the top end 42 of the inner compartment 40 towards the top end 12 of the outer compartment 10. In some embodiments, a seal is used with the puncturing member 60 to ensure that the inner compartment 40 remains water-tight.
An insulation layer 80 may be coupled to the outer compartment 10. The insulation layer 80 insulates the liquid 20 within the cavity 18 from heat and may surround the entire outer compartment 10 or only a part thereof, such as the sidewall 16. In one embodiment, the insulation layer 80 is coupled to the inside of the sidewall 16 such that it comes into contact with the liquid 20 retained in the cavity 18. In this embodiment, particularly if the liquid 20 is intended for consumption, the insulation layer 80 may be made out of a non-toxic material such that the insulation layer 80 does not render the liquid 20 unsafe for human consumption.
FIG. 4 shows a cross-section through the self-chilling beverage can 8 with the front end 24 of the pull tab 22 pulled away from the top end 12 of the outer compartment 10. When the front end 24 of the pull tab 22 is pulled away from the top end 12 of the outer compartment 10, the back end 26 of the pull tab 22 is pushed downward towards the top end 12 of the outer compartment 10. By virtue of the placement of the back end 26 of the pull tab 22 adjacent to the proximal end 32 of the rupturable tear panel 30, the back end 26 of the pull tab 22 pushes the proximal end 32 of the rupturable tear panel 30 down towards the top end 12 of the outer compartment 10. This causes the distal end 34 of the rupturable tear panel 30 to disconnect from the top end 12 of the outer compartment 10 and move into the cavity 18. An opening 90 is formed when the distal end 34 of the rupturable tear panel 30 disconnects from the top end 12, and the liquid 20 can be accessed through this opening 90.
As the distal end 34 of the rupturable tear panel 30 moves into the cavity 18, the distal end 34 comes into contact with the top end 62 of the puncturing member 60. The distal end 34 of the rupturable tear panel 30 then pushes the top end 62 of the puncturing member 60 down towards the top end 42 of the inner compartment 40. This downward movement of the puncturing member 60 causes the bottom end 64 of the puncturing member 60 to push against and puncture the rupturable membrane 74. The puncturing of the rupturable membrane 74 eliminates the barrier between the substances in the second cavity 70 and the third cavity 72, allowing the substances in these two cavities 70 and 72 to mix. As set forth above, the mixing of the substances in these two cavities 70, 72 may cause an endothermic reaction. This endothermic reaction may absorb heat from the liquid 20 in the cavity 18, thereby reducing the temperature of the liquid 20. The liquid 20, thus, may now be at a lower temperature than it was before the endothermic reaction. Although it is not necessary to shake the self-chilling beverage can 8, shaking of the can 8 may enable the endothermic reaction to transpire at a faster rate. The chilled liquid 20 can be accessed through the opening 90.
FIG. 5 shows a cross-section of an alternate embodiment of a self-chilling beverage can 8′. The self-chilling beverage can 8′ includes an outer compartment 10′. The outer compartment 10′ has at least one sidewall 16′, a top end 12′ and a bottom end 14′, which collectively form a first cavity 18′. A liquid 20′ is stored in the first cavity 18′. The self-chilling beverage can 8′ also includes an inner compartment 40′ which has a top end 42′, a bottom end 44′ and at least one sidewall 46′, which collectively form a second cavity 102. The alternate embodiment 8′ shown in FIG. 5 may be generally similar to the embodiments disclosed previously, except that the inner compartment 40′ of the self-chilling beverage can 8′ does not include a rupturable membrane 74. Instead, a balloon or a bladder shaped container 100 is placed at the bottom end 44′ of the inner compartment 40′ which allows two different substances to be stored within the inner compartment 40′. The balloon 100 is made out of a material that can be ruptured by a puncturing member 60′, such as rubber, latex, polychloroprene, etc. The balloon 100 may be affixed to the bottom end 44′ of the inner compartment 40′ by glue, or the balloon 100 may be otherwise restrained so that the balloon 100 does not accidentally come into contact with the puncturing member 60′.
A first substance 110 is stored in the balloon 100, and a second substance 112 is retained in the second cavity 102 of the inner compartment 40′; the second substance 112 does not initially come into contact with the first substance 110. As discussed previously, the first and second substances 110, 112 may for example be water or a substance that causes an endothermic reaction upon contacting the other substance 110, 112; various examples are set forth above. Pulling of the pull tab 22′ away from the top end 12′ of the outer compartment 10′ causes the punching member 60′ to move downward towards the balloon 100, eventually rupturing the balloon 100. The rupturing of the balloon 100 may allow the first substance 110 and the second substance 112 to mix, which in turn may cause an endothermic reaction. The endothermic reaction pulls in heat from the liquid 20′, thereby reducing the temperature of the liquid 20′.
Many different arrangements of the various components depicted, as well as components not shown, are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Embodiments of the present invention have been described with the intent to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Alternative embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art that do not depart from its scope. A skilled artisan may develop alternative means of implementing the aforementioned improvements without departing from the scope of the present invention.
It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations and are contemplated within the scope of the claims. Not all steps listed in the various figures need be carried out in the specific order described.

Claims

1. A self-chilling beverage can comprising:

an outer compartment having at least one sidewall, a top end, and a bottom end collectively forming a first cavity for storing a liquid; the top end having a rupturable tear panel to provide access to the liquid stored within the first cavity;

a pull tab having a front end and a back end, the back end of the pull tab being adjacent to the rupturable tear panel, such that when the front end of the pull tab is pulled away from the top end, the rupturable tear panel ruptures and moves into the first cavity, opening the first cavity and providing access to the liquid;

an inner compartment having at least one sidewall, a top end and a bottom end; the inner compartment located inside the first cavity and having second and third cavities separated by a rupturable membrane; and

a puncturing member underneath the rupturable tear panel, the puncturing member extending into the first cavity and the second cavity and resting above the rupturable membrane, such that when the front end of the pull tab is pulled to provide access to the first cavity, the rupturable tear panel pushes the puncturing member down towards the rupturable membrane of the inner compartment, eventually puncturing the rupturable membrane and allowing substances present in the second and third cavities to mix.

2. The self-chilling beverage can of claim 1, wherein one or both of the inner and outer compartments are made primarily of aluminum.

3. The self-chilling beverage can of claim 1, wherein at least one spacing member couples the top end of the inner compartment to the top end of the outer compartment, the spacing member being of a rigid construction such that the spacing between the sidewalls and ends of the inner and outer compartments remains generally constant.

4. The self-chilling beverage can of claim 3, wherein the spacing member includes a rivet.

5. The self-chilling beverage can of claim 3, further comprising:

a first substance in the second cavity; a second substance in the third cavity; wherein the first and second substances come into contact with one another and cause an endothermic reaction when the rupturable membrane in punctured;

the top end of the inner compartment including a seal restricting substances in the second and third cavities from entering the first cavity, the seal being maintained when the puncturing member extends into the first and second cavities to puncture the rupturable membrane; and

an insulation layer coupled to the outer compartment to insulate contents of the first cavity from heat.

6. The self-chilling beverage can of claim 1, wherein the top end of the inner compartment includes a seal restricting substances in the second and third cavities from entering the first cavity, the seal being maintained when the puncturing member extends into the first and second cavities to puncture the rupturable membrane.

7. The self-chilling beverage can of claim 1, further comprising:

a first substance in the second cavity; and

a second substance in the third cavity;

wherein the first and second substances come into contact with one another and cause and endothermic reaction when the rupturable membrane is punctured.

8. The self-chilling beverage can of claim 1, wherein the second cavity consists primarily of water, and the third cavity comprises a substance selected from a group consisting of ammonium nitrate, sodium carboxyl methyl cellulose, sodium chloride, hydrated sodium acetate, potassium chloride, potassium nitrate, ammonium chloride, water, urea, and guar gum.

9. The self-chilling beverage can of claim 1 wherein the second cavity comprises a substance selected from a group consisting of ammonium nitrate, sodium carboxyl methyl cellulose, sodium chloride, hydrated sodium acetate, potassium chloride, potassium nitrate, ammonium chloride, water, urea, and guar gum, and the third cavity consists primarily water.

10. The self-chilling beverage container of claim 1 wherein one of the second and third cavities contains primarily water and the other cavity comprises about 98% ammonium nitrate, about 1% sodium carboxyl methyl cellulose and about 1% sodium chloride.

11. The self-chilling beverage container of claim 1 wherein one of the second and third cavities includes water, and the other cavity includes ammonium nitrate.

12. The self-chilling beverage container of claim 1 wherein one of the second and third cavities contains primarily water, and the other cavity comprises of about 65 to 130 parts urea, about 35 to 80 parts hydrated sodium acetate, about 18 to 40 parts potassium chloride, about 18 to 30 parts ammonium chloride, about 6 to 10 parts guar gum, about 85 to 140 parts water and potassium nitrate.

13. The self-chilling beverage can of claim 1, wherein an insulation layer is coupled to the outer compartment to insulate contents of the first cavity from heat.

14. The self-chilling beverage can of claim 12, wherein the insulation layer is made of a non-toxic material.

15. The self-chilling beverage can of claim 1, wherein only the rupturable membrane separates the contents of the second and third cavities.

16. A self-chilling beverage can comprising:

an outer compartment having at least one sidewall, a top end, and a bottom end such that a cavity is formed for retaining a liquid;

an inner compartment having at least one sidewall, a top end, and a bottom end;

a rupturable membrane separating the inner compartment into a first chamber and a second chamber, one of the chambers including water and the other including a coolant, the coolant being selected such that an endothermic reaction occurs when the coolant comes into contact with the water; and

means for puncturing the rupturable membrane and allowing access to the cavity with a single motion by a user.

17. The self-chilling beverage can of claim 16, wherein:

one or both of the inner and outer compartments are made primarily of aluminum; and

the top end of the inner compartment includes a seal restricting the water or the coolant from coming into contact with the liquid.

18. The self-chilling beverage can of claim 16, wherein an insulation layer is coupled to the outer compartment to insulate contents of the cavity from heat.

19. self-chilling beverage can comprising:

an outer compartment having at least one sidewall, a top end, and a bottom end such that a first cavity is formed for retaining a liquid;

an inner compartment having at least one sidewall, a top end, and a bottom end such that a second cavity is formed for retaining a substance; the substance being either water or a coolant; the coolant being selected such that an endothermic reaction occurs when the coolant comes into contact with the water;

a balloon affixed to the bottom end of the inner compartment, said balloon comprising either water or a coolant; the water or the coolant within the balloon initially separated from the substance in the second cavity;

means for puncturing the balloon and allowing access to the liquid in the first cavity with a single motion by a user; and

wherein contents of the balloon and contents of the second cavity cause an endothermic reaction when mixed together.

20. self-chilling beverage can comprising:

an outer compartment having at least one sidewall, a top end, and a bottom end such that a first cavity is formed for retaining a liquid; the top end having a rupturable tear panel to provide access to the liquid stored within the first cavity;

an inner compartment placed within the first cavity, having at least one sidewall, a top end, and a bottom end collectively forming a second cavity;

means for dividing the second cavity into two areas for separately storing two different substances; the two substances being selected such that an endothermic reaction occurs when the two substances are allowed to come into contact with each other; and

a puncturing member underneath the rupturable tear panel; the puncturing member extending into the first cavity and one of the two areas, such that when the front of the pull tab is pulled to provide access to the first cavity, the rupturable tear panel pushes the puncturing member down towards the other area; upon moving downward, the puncturing member rupturing the means for dividing the second cavity, allowing the substances in the two areas to come into contact with each other.