Abstract: There are disclosed improved modulat heat sinks for use in packages for protecting thermolabile goods, having a thermosensitive temperature, from high ambient shipping temperatures in excess of the thermosensitive temperatures. One of the modular heat sinks is adapted to be configured to a variety of box sizes and may be used in either of two configurations, flat or folded. The dimensions of the heat sink and the fold line are correlated to a plurality of box sizes to enable the use of a single size heat sink in a plurality of carton sizes, and for a plurality of degree day temperature protection requirements. A second heat sink having a recessed wall defined therein for protecting a thermosensitive area of the thermosensitive goods is also disclosed. This second heat sink may be combined with the foldable modular heat sink for certain boxes of said plurality of boxes.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved heat sink composition and a method for preparing said composition to protect thermolabile goods from degradation or destruction from high temperatures. A representative composition includes sodium sulfate, sodium sulfate decahydrate (also known as Glauber's salt) and fumed silcon dioxide, a hydrophilic suspension agent which maintains the excess anhydrous sodium sulfate in uniform suspension when the composition is in a liquid state. In a preferred embodiment, the salt prior to use is dissolved in water, and driven to saturation, the hydrophilic agent is added, and the suspension driven to an over saturated state by the additional of from 1 to 30% anhydrous salt. The composition is then sealed in a plastic container of the desired shape to form an improved heat sink. The goods to be protected are packaged with the heat sink, whose salt hydrate has a melting point about 3.degree. C. to about 5.degree. C.