초록 ▼

A heat exchange apparatus includes an outer shell defining a cavity and a volume-occupying member received within the cavity. The outer shell and the volume-occupying member cooperate to define a fluid-receiving volume therebetween. An opening in the outer shell defines a passageway for receiving a

A heat exchange apparatus includes an outer shell defining a cavity and a volume-occupying member received within the cavity. The outer shell and the volume-occupying member cooperate to define a fluid-receiving volume therebetween. An opening in the outer shell defines a passageway for receiving a liquid to be heated therethrough. The opening includes a fastener for removably attaching to an open top of a container containing a liquid to be heated, wherein the liquid to be heated will flow from the container into the fluid-receiving volume when the apparatus is inverted and the liquid will flow back into the container when the bottle is returned to the upright position.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A heat exchange apparatus, comprising: an outer shell defining a heat exchange surface, said outer shell configured to conduct heat efficiently thereacross, wherein said outer shell is generally bowl shaped and has a first rim;a volume-occupying member disposed generally centrally within said out

1. A heat exchange apparatus, comprising: an outer shell defining a heat exchange surface, said outer shell configured to conduct heat efficiently thereacross, wherein said outer shell is generally bowl shaped and has a first rim;a volume-occupying member disposed generally centrally within said outer shell, said outer shell and said volume-occupying member cooperating to define a fluid-receiving volume between an inner surface of said outer shell and an outer surface of said volume-occupying member;an opening in said outer shell defining a passageway for receiving a liquid to be heated therethrough;said opening including a fastener for removable attachment to an open top of a container containing the liquid to be heated, wherein the liquid to be heated will flow from the container into the fluid-receiving volume when the apparatus is inverted and the liquid will flow back into the container when the bottle is returned to the upright position;said volume-occupying member being of a sufficient size to divert the liquid to be heated to a thin region immediately adjacent the inner surface of said outer shell; anda base secured to the volume-occupying member and removably and sealingly engaging said first rim. 2. The heat exchange apparatus of claim 1, wherein said fastener includes a helical thread complementary and mating with a threaded opening of a baby bottle. 3. The heat exchange apparatus of claim 1, wherein said fluid-receiving volume has a volume approximately equal to a volume of the container. 4. The heat exchange apparatus of claim 3, wherein the container is a baby bottle. 5. The heat exchange apparatus of claim 1, wherein said outer shell is formed of a thermally conductive material. 6. The heat exchange apparatus of claim 1, wherein said outer shell is formed of a metal or metal alloy. 7. The heat exchange apparatus of claim 1, wherein said outer shell is formed of stainless steel. 8. The heat exchange apparatus of claim 1, wherein said fastener comprises an adapter having a first end adapted for removable attachment to an open end of a baby bottle and a second end adapted for removable attachment to said outer shell, said fastener defining a fluid passageway between the bottle and said fluid-receiving volume. 9. The heat exchange apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: said volume-occupying member is generally bowl shaped and has a second rim; andsaid base secured to the volume-occupying member via a removable and sealing engagement. 10. The heat exchange apparatus of claim 1, wherein said base and said volume-occupying member are integrally formed. 11. The heat exchange apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a peripheral wall surrounding said outer shell and defining a reservoir for receiving a heat exchange medium. 12. The heat exchange apparatus of claim 11, further comprising: said peripheral wall attached directly to said outer shell. 13. The heat exchange apparatus of claim 11, further comprising: said peripheral wall attached directly to said base. 14. The heat exchange apparatus of claim 1, wherein said volume-occupying member is formed of plastic. 15. A method for changing the temperature of a liquid in a container at an initial temperature, said method comprising: providing an outer shell defining a heat exchange surface, said outer shell configured to conduct heat efficiently thereacross, wherein said outer shell is generally bowl shaped and has a first rim, the outer shell having an opening defining a passageway for receiving a liquid to be heated therethrough, said opening including a fastener for removable attachment to an open top of a container containing the liquid to be heated, wherein the liquid to be heated will flow from the container into the fluid-receiving volume when the apparatus is inverted and the liquid will flow back into the container when the bottle is returned to the upright position;positioning a volume-occupying member generally centrally within said outer shell, the outer shell and said volume-occupying member cooperating to define a fluid-receiving volume between an inner surface of said outer shell and an outer surface of said volume-occupying member, said volume-occupying member being of a sufficient size to divert the liquid to be heated to a thin region immediately adjacent the inner surface of said outer shell;providing a base secured to the volume-occupying member and removably and sealingly engaging said first rim;securing the outer shell to an open top of the container;inverting the outer shell containing the volume-occupying member and the container to cause the liquid to flow into and be retained within the fluid receiving volume, said volume-occupying member being of a sufficient size to divert the liquid to a thin region immediately adjacent the inner surface of said outer shell; andexposing the exterior surface to a heat exchange medium having a temperature different from the initial temperature so as to change the temperature of the liquid. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the container is a baby bottle and the heat exchange medium is water, said step of exposing the exterior surface to a heat exchange medium comprising one or both of: immersing the outer shell in a reservoir containing the heat exchange medium; andholding the outer shell under running water. 17. The method of claim 15, further comprising: providing a wall about the outer shell to define a heat exchange reservoir between the exterior surface and the wall; andfilling the heat exchange reservoir with the heat exchange medium.