Heat Preserving Pack

Abstract

The present invention relates to a heat/temperature preserving pack. Embodiments of the heat preserving pack include a soft pack or a hard box pack, having an inner containing space filled with phase change isothermal substance. The present invention maintains the temperature of objects for an extended period to achieve a constant temperature effect. By implementing the present invention, the size and weight of the heat preserving container is effectively reduced and the space available for storing objects to be heat preserved is increased. Thus, the heat preserving container is convenient to carry and the transport cost is reduced.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims foreign priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to China Patent Application no. 200820001930.9, filed in China on Jan. 10, 2008, now China Patent Registration No. ZL 200820001930.9, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a heat preserving pack, and in particular, a heat preserving pack with cold insulation, heat preservation, and water resistant qualities.

2. Related Art

As well known to those skilled in the art, conventional heat preserving packs use water as a heat preserving carrier, resulting in lower heat preserving efficiency. Furthermore, a large amount of water is required to keep a desired temperature when using the conventional heat preserving pack. As a result, most of the volume of a heat preserving container or an insulated container, is occupied by the conventional cooling pack or heat preserving pack in order to maintain a desired temperature, and thereby, the space for storing objects that needs to be heat preserved is reduced and the size and weight of the heat preserving container increases. The heat preserving container is thus inconvenient to carry and cost prohibitive to transport.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The technical problem to be solved in the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages in the prior art and provide a heat/temperature preserving pack with enhanced heat/temperature preserving capability, having a lower volume, reduced size and weight, thereby increasing storage space in an insulated container or bag it occupies.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a heat preserving pack is provided, comprising an inner containing space formed within the heat preserving pack and filled with phase change isothermal substance, wherein the phase change isothermal substance comprises gelatinous, crystalline, grainy or liquid phase change materials.

Advantageously, the phase change isothermal substance compromises three kinds of materials, including inorganic, organic, and compound phase change materials.

Advantageously, the inorganic phase change materials comprise crystalloid hydrated salts, molten salts, metals, alloys, etc.

Advantageously, the organic phase change materials comprise paraffin, acetic acid, and other organic compounds.

Advantageously, the phase change isothermal substance further comprises hydrated inorganic salts.

Advantageously, the heat preserving pack is a sealed, soft pack made of soft and waterproof material.

Advantageously, the heat preserving pack is a single pack or a plurality of packs connected together.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the heat preserving pack comprises a hard box manufactured of waterproof material, wherein, the hard box comprises a box body and a cover embedded together, or adhered together, or the box body and the cover are blow molded into one piece without any joints on the outer and inner walls.

Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages: the phase change isothermal substance may be re-used, which protects the environment and is also economically viable. For cold phase change isothermal substances, the heat preserving pack may be placed in the refrigerator or deep freezer until the liquid phase change material is converted into solid material. For hot phase change isothermal substances, the heat preserving pack may be placed in boiling water or a microwave oven for heating until the solid phase change material in the soft pack or hard box is converted into liquid or gelatin.

By utilizing the phase change isothermal substance, the size and weight of the heat preserving container is effectively reduced and the space for storing objects to be heat preserved or insulated is increased. The amount of material needed to maintain a certain temperature in the pack is reduced which results in increase in storage space. Thus, the heat preserving/insulated container is convenient to carry and transport costs are also reduced.

One or more heat preserving packs can be arranged at any side of the heat preserving container and/or at the bottom of the container or inside the cover of the container. In order to achieve a stable temperature of the objects to be heat preserved, a plurality of heat preserving packs can be arranged at different positions inside the container. Moreover, the heat preserving pack of the present invention is not only limited to be applicable to the heat preserving container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to fully describe embodiments of the present invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings. These drawings are not to be considered limitations in the scope of the invention, but are merely illustrative.

FIG. 1 is a front view of the heat preserving pack in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the heat preserving pack in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-section view of the heat preserving pack in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing usage of the heat preserving pack in a heat preserving container in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the heat preserving hard box in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the heat preserving hard box in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the heat preserving hard box in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing usage of the heat preserving hard box in a heat preserving container in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

The description above and below coupled with the drawings of the present document, focus on one or more currently preferred embodiments of the present invention and also describe some exemplary optional features and/or alternative embodiments. The description and drawings are for the purpose of illustration and not limitation. Those of ordinary skill in the art would recognize variations, modifications, and alternatives. Such variations, modifications, and alternatives are also within the scope of the present invention. Section titles are terse and are for convenience only.

FIG. 1 through FIG. 3 illustrate different views of a heat preserving soft pack. Specifically, FIG. 1 is a front view of the heat preserving soft pack; FIG. 2 is a side view of the heat preserving soft pack; and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the heat preserving soft pack in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing usage of the heat preserving pack in a heat preserving container in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 5 through 7 depict different views of a heat preserving pack comprising a hard box according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, FIG. 5 is a front view of the heat preserving pack comprising a hard box; FIG. 6 is a side view of the heat preserving pack comprising a hard box; and FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the heat preserving pack comprising a hard box in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing usage of the heat preserving pack comprising a hard box in a heat preserving container in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention.

Embodiment 1

As shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, the heat preserving pack comprises a soft pack 1, with an inner containing space 2 therein. The containing space 2 is filled with phase change isothermal substance. The soft pack 1 is made of soft and waterproof material, and is sealed by high-frequency hot melting of each edge of the soft pack. The soft pack 1 may be a single pack or a plurality of packs connected together. As shown in FIG. 4, the soft pack 1 may be used in cooperation with a heat preserving container 3. One or more soft packs 1 may be arranged at any side inside the container, and/or at the bottom of the container, or inside the cover of the container.

Embodiment 2

As shown in FIG. 5, the heat preserving pack comprises a hard box 4. The hard box 4 may be used to store condensed phase change material which is crystalline or grainy. The hard box 4 is made of waterproof material. The hard box 4 comprises a box body 41 and a cover 42. The box body 41 and the cover 42 are embedded together or adhered together, or the box body 41 and the cover 42 are blow molded in one piece, without any joints on the outer and inner walls. The containing space (i.e., empty cavity 5) of the hard box 4 is filled with phase change material. As shown in FIG. 8, the hard box 4 may be used in cooperation with the heat preserving container 3. One or more hard boxes 4 may be arranged at any side inside the container 3, and/or at the bottom of the container 3, or inside the cover of the container 3.

In either embodiment, a slot or an interlayer which is used in cooperation with the heat preserving pack for holding the pack, is provided at any side inside the heat preserving container, and/or at the bottom of the container, and/or inside the cover of the container. The pack may further be attached to any of the inside surfaces of the container through an attachment means.

The phase change material herein refers to material that is capable of changing its physical state in a certain range of temperature. The phase change material comprises hydrated inorganic salts. The phase change isothermal substance comprises gelatinous, crystalline, grainy or liquid phase change materials. For example, a phase change from solid to liquid happens when the phase change material is heated to a melting temperature. During the melting process, the phase change material absorbs and stores a great amount of latent heat. When the phase change material is cooled, the stored heat is emitted to the external circumstance in a certain range of temperature and, in turn, a reverse phase change from liquid to solid happens. During such two kinds of phase change, the energy stored or emitted is referred to as phase change latent heat. During transition of the physical states, temperature of the material itself keeps almost constant until the phase change is finished, thus a wide temperature platform occurs. Although the temperature of the material essentially never changes, the latent heat absorbed or emitted by the material is considerable. For example, the material at a frozen temperature will remain frozen for some time thereby, the temperature remains constant, except for certain regions which begin to undergo melting. The phase change material comprises three kinds of materials, including inorganic phase change material, organic phase change material, and compound phase change material. The inorganic phase change material mainly comprises crystalloid hydrated salts, molten salts, metal, alloy, etc., and the organic phase change material comprises paraffin, acetic acid, and other organic compounds. In recent years, composite phase change material has come into use. Such composite phase change material is capable of overcoming the disadvantages in the single inorganic or organic phase change material for heat storage and is also capable of improving the effect of its applications and spreading its range of applications. For instance, any need for a constant temperature control can utilize the pack such as in food or hospitality industries for the transport of food or beverage or in transport applications in the medical industry. Accordingly, studies on composite phase change material for heat storage have become a popular research subject in the field of materials used for heat storage. However, the composite phase change material may be disadvantageous because it may decrease latent heat during the phase change, or it may get denatured during a long time of phase change process.

In using the phase change material, the embodiment of the present invention enables the phase change material to store or emit energy, called latent heat, during phase change of heating or cooling. During transition of the physical states, the temperature of the material itself keeps almost constant until the phase change is finished, thus a wide temperature platform is achieved. Although the temperature never changes, the latent heat absorbed or emitted by the phase change material is considerable. In this way, the temperature of the objects stored in the container is kept stable.

Another characteristic of the phase change material is its specific phase change temperature, and such temperature may be kept for a long time to achieve the effect of constant temperature, therefore quality of the objects stored in the container is stabilized and prevented from deteriorating. A melting/freezing point of the phase change material may cover a broad range from −40° C. to 150° C., and so it may be used in different applications. The freezing point of deep-freezing and the melting point of heating for the phase change material according to the present invention can be controlled and may be determined during the producing process.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Reference to a heat preserving pack also pertains to an insulating or frozen pack in which the contents of a container would need to be insulated at a desired temperature. Reference to a heat preserving container also pertains to an insulated container. It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the present invention can be embodied in other specific forms. Those of ordinary skill in the art would be able to practice such other embodiments without undue experimentation. The scope of the present invention, for the purpose of the present patent document, is not limited merely to the specific example embodiments or alternatives of the foregoing description.

Claims

1. A temperature preserving pack, comprising an inner containing space formed within the temperature preserving pack and filled with a phase change isothermal substance, wherein the phase change isothermal substance is selected from a group consisting of gelatinous, crystalline, grainy, and liquid phase materials.

2. The temperature preserving pack according to claim 1, wherein the phase change isothermal substance comprises inorganic phase change material, organic phase change material, and alternatively, compound phase change material.

3. The temperature preserving pack according to claim 2, wherein the inorganic phase change material comprises crystalloid hydrated salts, molten salts, metal, and alternatively, alloys.

4. The temperature preserving pack according to claim 2, wherein the organic phase change material comprises paraffin, acetic acid, and alternatively, other organic compounds.

5. The temperature preserving pack according to claim 1, wherein the phase change isothermal substance comprises hydrated inorganic salts.

6. The temperature preserving pack of claim 1, wherein the melting point of the phase change isothermal substance has a temperature range from −40° C. to 150° C.

7. The temperature preserving pack according to the claim 1, wherein the temperature preserving pack comprises of a soft and waterproof material, and sealed at a plurality of edges of the pack.

8. The temperature preserving pack according to the claim 1, wherein the temperature preserving pack comprises a hard box manufactured of a waterproof material.

9. A temperature preserving pack comprising a hard box made of waterproof material, the hard box further comprising a box body and a cover, wherein, the box body and the cover are embedded upon each other and adhered together, and wherein an inner containing space formed within the hard box is filled with a phase change isothermal substance, selected from a group consisting of gelatinous, crystalline, grainy, and liquid phase materials.

10. The temperature preserving pack according to claim 9, wherein the phase change isothermal substance comprises inorganic phase change material, organic phase change material, and alternatively, compound phase change material.

11. The temperature preserving pack according to claim 10, wherein the inorganic phase change material comprises crystalloid hydrated salts, molten salts, metal, and alternatively, alloys.

12. The temperature preserving pack according to claim 10, wherein the organic phase change material comprises paraffin, acetic acid, and alternatively, other organic compounds.

13. The temperature preserving pack according to claim 10, wherein the phase change material comprises hydrated inorganic salts.

14. The temperature preserving pack according to claim 9, wherein the box body and the cover are blow molded together into one piece having a smooth surface such that there are no joints on an outer wall and an inner wall of the hard box.

15. The temperature preserving pack according to claim 9, wherein a portion of a bottom surface of the box body is formed as a concave depression.

16. A temperature preserving pack comprising a soft and waterproof material, wherein a plurality of edges of the pack are sealed by high frequency hot melting of each edge; and wherein an inner containing space formed within the temperature preserving pack is filled with a phase change isothermal substance selected from a group consisting of gelatinous, crystalline, grainy, and liquid phase materials; and having a temperature range from −40° C. to 150° C.

17. The temperature preserving pack according to claim 16, wherein the phase change isothermal substance comprises inorganic phase change material, organic phase change material, and alternatively, compound phase change material.

18. The temperature preserving pack according to claim 17, wherein the inorganic phase change material comprises crystalloid hydrated salts, molten salts, metal, and alternatively, alloys.

19. The temperature preserving pack according to claim 17, wherein the organic phase change material comprises paraffin, acetic acid, and alternatively, other organic compounds.

20. The temperature preserving pack according to the claim 16, wherein the temperature preserving pack comprises a plurality of temperature preserving packs connected together.